Evaluating a camp: questions and considerations

How can you decide among several camp options? Reviewing this section will guide you in asking those questions most helpful in making a final selection.

Newton POST profiles will provide a great deal of basic information about programs that meet your needs. However, further exploration can help you narrow the field and make your choice.

Camps want families to learn about their programs. Many will give you a tour the summer previous to enrollment, while others sponsor winter Open Houses. Some programs produce videos/dvds, web sites, and newsletters. A camp may refer you to area families who will share their experiences with you.

The following questions are intended as a guide to help you interview camp Directors and representatives, and/or make the most of a camp visit. Do not feel you must use the complete list, since some questions may not apply to certain programs or to your particular situation.

To print an abbreviated list of Questions to ask Camp Representatives, click here (pdf).

How long has the camp been in operation? Is the licensing in order (if applicable)?

How many children (boys? girls?) attend this camp? What percentage return each summer?

What about camp-home communication? How and when do you communicate with families when things are status quo? When health or behavioral issues arise? How does the camp deal with children who are homesick or overwhelmed? Bullies? Discipline? How will my child learn the camp rules? Are parents of campers allowed to just “drop in” for a visit?

What is the Director's background? What is his/her experience with children? How long has he/she been with this camp? What makes this camp special?

What about the staff? What are the counselors' (including waterfront and specialty staff) backgrounds and camp experiences? (If applicable: Will they understand my child's special physical and/or intellectual needs?) What specific training have they received? Do they all know basic first aid and CPR? How are they supervised and reviewed? What is their age range? How many males, females? What are the counselor:camper ratios? How many counselors return each year? Are background/CORI checks current and on file? If my child is uncomfortable with a particular counselor, how does the camp respond? Tell me about other staff members, like the kitchen, grounds, and maintenance crews. Are their background/CORI checks current and on file?

What is your safety record? Have there been serious injuries or incidents of inappropriate staff behavior during the current Director's tenure (or ever)? If so, tell me about the circumstances. What changes were made as a result?

What about the camp facilities and grounds? Are buildings and grounds safe, clean, and up-to- code?

What is the camp philosophy? Competitive? Cooperative? When it comes to difficult skills, are campers (a) required to attempt mastery, (b) encouraged to do their best, or (c) allowed to refuse participation? Does the camp or sponsoring organization promote certain ideologies?

What will a typical camp day be like for my child? Please take me through a full day. Do you follow a pre-determined schedule, or do campers make activity choices throughout the day? Are there also opportunities for quiet time?

How are children grouped? By age? By ability?

What about the Swim Program and Waterfront Activities? Do the children swim in a pool or pond? How often is the water checked for safe bacterial levels? How often do children swim, including lessons and free swim? Do you use a Red Cross-certified program? What are the staff:swimmer ratios during lessons? What are the ratios during free swim? How are the children grouped during free swim – are all levels of ability mixed together? Is there a safe, shallow area just for beginners? How does the staff deal with frightened or reluctant swimmers? If there is a dock, how does the staff supervise any “blind spots”? Any canoeing, fishing, skiing, or other water activities at this camp? If so, tell me more about those programs and the staff. What safety and rescue equipment is immediately available by the pool or on the waterfront? Is that equipment maintained on a schedule?

Are there specialty sports, such as horseback riding, dance, rock climbing, soccer, etc.? Tell me all about the counselors (see Staff questions above).What special or safety equipment is supplied by the camp, and what does my family need to provide? What are the additional fees associated with these programs?

Are there any other specialty programs, such as animal care, computer labs, cartooning, music, etc.? Tell me all about the counselors (see Staff questions above). What special equipment is supplied by the camp, and what does my family have to provide? What are the additional fees associated with these programs?

What about health and safety issues? Is there a MA-licensed health supervisor on site at all times while camp is in session? Tell me about his/her background, experience, etc. How long has he/she been with the camp? Is the background/CORI check current and on file? What specific health/safety equipment and supplies, beyond a first aid kit, are available to the health supervisor? Defibrillator? Epi-pens? Other? Do I need to sign a permission form in order for the health supervisor to give my child a mild pain reliever, such as Tylenol? Tell me about sunblock and insect repellent. Are they provided by the camp or by our family? Who is responsible for reminding children to reapply – especially after swimming or midway through the day? What about hydration? Are children given frequent opportunities to rehydrate? If my son/daughter has special health concerns, such as diabetes or food allergies, will the health supervisor work as my partner in assuring my child's well-being? What is his/her experience with our special concerns?

What about my child's safety? Are the counselors well-versed in outdoor safety precautions? Are they skilled in watching for signs of discomfort in children? Do they know how to deal with heat issues, exhaustion, dehydration, insect stings/bites, snake bites, cuts, burns, head injuries, blisters? Do they recognize poisonous or irritating plants? Will there ever be times when there is just one counselor alone with a group of children? If so, how will he/she summon help, in case of an emergency? Are all health and safety incidents reported to the health supervisor and director for further assessment? Are families notified? How far is the nearest hospital? Approximately how long does it take an ambulance to arrive at the camp after you call 911? Does the camp have an evacuation plan in the case of extreme emergency? What is the lost camper/swimmer procedure?

What happens on rainy days/hot days? On rainy days: Do you have adequate indoor spaces available and appropriate activities? On very hot days: Are shady areas available? Are children allowed to opt out of strenuous activities on days that are very hot or when air quality is poor? If so, are they offered alternative activities or are they allowed to watch the scheduled activity (if it continues)? Who makes the determination about the day's activities when the weather is less than ideal? Who can I talk to if I am concerned about the day's weather?

What about meals, snacks,and beverages? What meals will my child eat while at camp, and who provides them – camp or family? What about snacks? Beverages? If my child is responsible for providing any of the above items, but forgets to bring them, will the camp supply them? If my family provides the above items, do you prefer that they arrive in recyclable or disposable containers? What about glass bottles/containers? Is refrigeration available? If the camp supplies the meal or snack, are special dietary requests respected? How does the camp assure that children with food allergies are safe?

Do you have any kind of dress code? Does the camp have requirements or suggestions about what my child should/may wear every day – including footwear? Are jewelry and piercings allowed? Will my child be reminded to remove jewelry if it is a safety issue?

How about that daily backpack?What does the camp require or recommend that my child bring one every day? Does the camp provide a checklist? Are any items forbidden? Where will my child safely stow his/her backpack during activities? (Be sure to label everything!)

Which of the following items should/can we pack? Lunch, snack, water bottle, sports drink. Extra clothes, towels, bathing suit, beach footwear. Insect repellent, sunblock. Hat/cap, rain gear. Money (for camp store or vending machines). Cell phone. Camera. Personal music player. A book for quiet time. For specialty camps: gear or equipment.

What about special events or activities sponsored by the camp? Do you offer overnights or off-site day trips? If so, tell me about the supervision and transportation arrangements. If my child becomes homesick on the overnight, how will you handle it? Are there any additional fees associated with these programs, such as transportation costs or group t-shirts? Do you offer a Family Visiting Day, Carnival Day, or other unique programs?

What about transportation specifics? If the camp provides transportation, what are the additional costs? Are the bus stops convenient for us? Do counselors ride the bus, or is the driver the only adult on board? Are drivers screened and trained? Are vehicles inspected? Will the camp help us arrange carpools with other families?

What about camp schedule details? If I am late in picking up my child from camp, will I be assessed a fee? Does the camp offer early drop-off or late pick-up? Can I pay for those options on an as-needed basis, or do I need to sign up ahead of time?

What about forms, additional costs, and financial aid? When is my child's health history due? Have I forgotten to ask about any costs? Must I purchase any additional insurance? How do you determine eligibility for any scholarships? Do you offer member discounts?