Monday, April 30, 2012

Parenting Pointers: Questions to Ask Before Summer Camp

With school almost out for summer, parents are wondering what they should look for in a summer camp. Here are ten questions you should ask to help pick the best camp, for both you and your child.
 1. Is it a good fit? Look for camps with activities similar to your child’s interests. This will ensure that your child is happy, and gives you the most for your money.
2. What is your budget? Summer camps can cost several hundred dollars weekly, while overnight camps range in the thousands.
3. How are the facilities? How do the sleeping quarters look? What do the bathrooms look like?
4. What’s on the menu? What does the camp’s meal plan look like? Can they cater to your child’s food allergies, tastes, and overall diet?
5. How qualified are the counselors? Are they CPR certified? Are they trained for emergency situations? Have they had background checks (MyVerifiedPro.com)? How old are they? Have they worked with kids before?
6. Is there a medical staff on site? If not, is there a nearby hospital, in case of an emergency?
7. Can you visit before and during? Touring the camp before signing up always puts both your child and you at ease. If your child is still young, visiting the camp a year in advance, will allow you to see how it operates in its full capacity, and allow you better judgment. If your child gets homesick, see if you can visit during the camps daily schedule as well.
8. Is the camp accredited? Has the American Camping Association given it a stamp of approval? Its database has over 2400 camps.
9. Co-ed or single sexed? Does your son want an all-boys camp? Does your daughter want to be with only girls? Is your teen looking for a co-ed camp? It all depends on what best fits your child, and their needs.
10. What do other parents have to say? What better way to find out the ‘scoop’ than to ask parents who have sent their child to the camp, they can tell you the pros and cons, before you even check out the facilities.

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