Parents Questions/Answers |
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HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR MY CHILD?
Any number of things will initially attract and motivate you
to seriously consider a camp for your child. Location, session
duration, pricing, facilities, and programs should all be
considered. See article on "choosing the best camp."
HOW DO I FIND THESE THINGS OUT ABOUT A CAMP?
This online service, camp publications, brochures, and videos
typically contain this information. Many camps participate in camp
shows or open houses held during the winter and spring at hotels
or convention centers. Asking friends who send their children to
camp is another good source.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF VISITING A CAMP BEFORE SENDING MY CHILD
THERE?
By visiting a camp, you have the advantage of speaking
directly to staff who may be interacting with your child. Another
advantage is the opportunity to see the facilities firsthand, and
if you happen to go while camp is in session, meet the children
your child may bunk with. This can help allay fears of the
unknown, and feed your child's interest and enthusiasm. Generally,
you will go prior to the start of camp, which can still be an
extremely helpful experience.
WHAT IF I CAN'T VISIT A CAMP FIRST?
The next best thing is to learn as much as possible about the
camp. Ask for any promotional material, particularly videos and
brochures. The advantage of videos is that they give a quick
physical overview and will allow your child to "tour" the
camp.
SHOULD MY CHILD BE PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS?
Absolutely! Children who have not been part of the
decision-making process are more likely to be homesick than those
children who had a part in the decision to go away.
DO ALL CHILDREN GET HOMESICK?
No. However, homesickness is not uncommon in children up to
the age of 12. See article on "Homesickness."
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PREVENT MY CHILD FROM EXPERIENCING
HOMESICKNESS?
Yes. Include your child in the decision-making process and
familiarize him with the camp -- through visits or promotional
literature. Additional recommendations include: 1. Provide the
child with non-threatening experiences away from home (e.g.,
overnight stays with a grandparent or a friend); 2. Pack the
child's bags with familiar clothing and special mementos; 3.
Prepare the child by reading books about going to overnight camp
(e.g., Off To Camp by Myra Pravda or Pinky and Rex Go To Camp by
J. Howe); 4. Talk about the fun they will have or activities they
will be involved in; 5. Talk to other parents whose children have
gone to the camp, and , if possible, introduce your prospective
camper to them; 6. Allow the child to pick out clothing he wants
to bring and let him pack; 7. Familiarize yourself and your child
with the camp's communication procedures. Know if -- and when --
telephone calls can be made, whether the camp accepts faxes and/or
e-mail, and how often mail is collected and distributed; and 8.
Write letters frequently. A letter waiting for the child upon
arrival --telling about weather, work, or local sports teams --
lets the child know the parent is thinking about and loves
him.
WHAT SHOULD I SEND MY CHILD TO CAMP WITH?
Encourage your child to bring an item from home to make him
feel secure and comfortable. Find out if the camp provides linens,
or whether your child must bring his own sheets, blankets,
pillows, or sleeping bags. Send towels for swimming and showers.
Other items to pack include: soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss,
brace wax, shampoo, comb, brush, insect repellent, lip balm,
sunscreen, and any medications your child needs. Obtain a list of
recommended clothing, keeping in mind that comfortable, informal
wear is appropriate. In addition to shorts, shirts, underwear,
socks, and swimsuits, clothing for certain recreational and sports
activities as well as rain gear should be packed. Shoes must be
durable, and one or two extra pairs is a good idea. And most
important -- label everything. See articles on "What To Bring."
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK A PROSPECTIVE CAMP DIRECTOR?
One of the most important questions to ask is the camp's
philosophy -- what is the camp's purpose, and how it affects all
areas of camp life. Is the camp geared towards a particular sport
or is it an academic camp? Is it a performing arts camp or an
all-round camp? Is competition looked on as a natural part of
life, or does the camp foster a greater sense of cooperation and
interdependence through non-competitive means? The answers to
these questions are important in placing your child in the camp
that meets his or her needs.
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE SHOULD A CAMP DIRECTOR HAVE?
The American Camp Association (ACA), an independent review and
certifying agent, sets minimum standards for a camp director as a
bachelor's degree, a minimum 16 weeks of camp administration
experience, and the completion of in-service training within the
previous three years.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN A CAMP DIRECTOR SAYS HE IS A CERTIFIED CAMP
DIRECTOR?
The ACA bestows this certification on those candidates who
meet requirements related to work experience, age, and education,
and have successfully completed a Camp Director Institute.
WHAT STAFFING RATIOS SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR?
Accredited overnight camps require a ratio of counselors as
follows: One counselor for every six campers for ages 7 and 8; one
counselor for every eight campers for ages 9-14; one counselor for
every ten campers for ages 15-17.
Day camp ratios are: One counselor for every eight campers for ages 6-8; one counselor for every ten campers ages 9-14; one counselor for every twelve campers for ages 15-17.
WHAT QUALITIES/EXPERIENCE SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR IN
COUNSELORS?
Counselors should be energetic and interact with their campers
-- communication skills can't be underestimated! Look for a good
sense of humor. And, if they are supervising a particular
activity, they should display skill in it. Watch the children they
are in charge of. Do the children appear to respect them? Do they
look up to them as big brothers and big sisters? You should be
able to tell immediately who the counselor is -- not so much by
their age or size, but by the maturity and leadership they
display. Are any children lagging behind? How is the counselor
handling this situation? A good counselor will motivate kids.
Finally, does the counselor indicate whether his has a genuine
interest in children?
When speaking to the camp director about how he hires staff, ask how he assesses these areas, and how many of his staff were campers at that camp or any other camps before becoming counselors. Ask what innovative programs counselors have introduced to the camp. Does he look for any background in conflict management when hiring (e.g., peer counselor in high school or college, residence hall assistant in college)? How many of his staff are working at the camp for the internship experience it offers (e.g., for teaching, coaching, directing)?
ARE REFERENCES IMPORTANT?
Yes. You should always ask a camp director for references.
It's possible you'll find the name of someone you know, and a
conversation with a few other parents -- friends or strangers --
who have children attending the camp can be very helpful. Also,
speak with friends about camps they've had experience with. This
can provide you with additional direction in selecting the best
camp for your child.
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN TELL MY CHILD THAT CAN MAXIMIZE HIS
CAMPING EXPERIENCE?
Encourage your child to express himself. If he wants to be at
camp -- and he should want to be there -- he should show his
enthusiasm. However, if he is feeling shy and homesick, he should
feel free to discuss this as well. Chances are, other children
will feel the same way, and both your child and his friends can
find comfort in sharing these feelings. Encourage him to
experiment and participate in all activities offered -- not only
those he is proficient in. Encourage him to be open minded -- to
make friends with different groups of kids rather than staying
with one clique. Encourage him to be independent and
cooperative.
MY CHILD IS SHY. WHAT CAN I TELL HIM TO HELP HIM MAKE NEW
FRIENDS?
Remind your child that he has friends at home and school -- he
made friends there, and shouldn't worry about making friends while
away. However, give him some concrete suggestions on how to strike
up conversations. On the way to camp, if he is going by bus, tell
him to look for someone who is about his age and ask if he can sit
with him or her. Tell your child to smile and make eye contact as
he introduces himself. Even if this person doesn't become a
friend, your child will now know someone at camp. Tell your child
that repeating the name of someone they just met will help them to
remember it. If your child feels nervous, tell him to smile, take
a deep breath, and speak slowly and clearly. Recommend that your
child try to find something that he and this new person have in
common: suggest he talk about sports, cars, favorite foods,
school, musical instruments, skate boarding, movies, TV shows.
Tell him that there's nothing wrong with going up to someone and
say something like, "Hi, I'm new at this camp. Can you help me
find the swimming pool?" A statement like this doesn't put any
pressure on your child, and most people are willing to help a new
camper. While walking to the swimming pool, they can talk about
camp. If your child goes to the sports field and a group has
already gathered to play a game, he should walk over to the group
and wait to be included -- don't disturb the ongoing activity. If
he sees that someone else is also waiting to be included, he
should approach them with a smile or nod. Buy a joke book for your
child. Whether in the bunk or over a campfire, kids love to tell
jokes. Your child should be prepared with several of his own. See article on "Making Friends At Camp" in the kids article area.
WHAT DOES "ACA ACCREDITED® CAMP"
MEAN?
ACA Accreditation means that your child's camp undergoes a
thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation - from
staff qualifications and training to emergency management.
American Camp Association (ACA) collaborates with experts from the
American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other
youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at your
child's camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards
in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes
growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.
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