Welcome, Campers!

Before you send off your tykes on their summer sojourns, arm yourself with all the information you’ll need for a splendid season.
[By Dorothy Creamer]

Summer can seem like an endless stretch of steamy days for restless kids searching for something to do—and for their parents, too. That’s why, nationwide, summer camps are lauded as wonderful ways for children to stretch their muscles and minds in the weeks that follow that final, end-of-year school bell.

The benefits of summer camps are numerous. Kids are engaged all day long and can socialize with their peers in a safe and monitored environment. Plus, many of today’s camps offer a full spectrum of activities, from educational courses and fine arts to sports and adventure excursions. At camp, your child will likely be exposed for the first time to experiences that will last them a lifetime. Still, despite all the benefits, there is much to think about before choosing a camp for your kiddies. Location, pricing, and duration, as well as your child’s age, interests, and maturity level, all contribute in determining which camp is the best choice for your family. So don’t just pick the name of a camp off the Internet, and don’t rely solely on word of mouth either. Instead, narrow your search by identifying some key criteria and posing certain questions to yourself, your child, and camp directors and counselors.

Stay … or go?

Even before you narrow the playing field to a few camps for consideration, you must make the most fundamental camp decision of all: day camp or sleep-away camp? Here, it’s critical to analyze your child’s personality. A child who has never been away from home might not be ready for a long-term sleep-away camp. Perhaps starting with a day camp would be better to see how he or she handles the separation. Many camps even offer a few overnight stays or off-site excursions, which are an even better barometer for gauging how your child might fare in a sleep-away environment next summer.

If a sleep-away program is where your child is headed—particularly if this is her first summer there—ask the camp director for the names of other families in your area who are attending the camp, and introduce your child to some of the kids he or she will be spending the summer with. (An added bonus is that it will be good for you to have other parents to talk to and ask questions.) And if this is your child’s first extended period away from home, do a practice run. Allow her to stay with a friend or relative for a few days. Refrain from communicating with your child during that sleepover getaway; afterward, discuss how she felt about it. If your child experienced homesickness, talk about various methods that can be used to overcome those feelings, should they recur.

Variety is the spice of camp life

Options are very important for both parents and kids when considering camps. Children will become bored with the same activities and programs every day, so seek out facilities that offer a wide array of things to do.

The Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department boasts many options for campers. From swimming to science, dance, theater, art, history, and cooking, there is something for every kid’s personality. “We also have excursion adventure camps that include rock climbing and tubing,” says the organization’s teen coordinator, Amy Maltese. “We pride ourselves on having a real variety to get through the summer. Our Summer Fun eight-week program is our most popular.” Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department also offers extended before-care and after-care services, which are a great help to working parents. Be certain that the camp you choose has scheduling that complements your needs.

A day in the life of a camper

Make sure you know how your child will be spending his or her days.

At the Falls Church–based 4 Star Camps, attendees can participate in a wide range of academic or athletic programs. Parents and kids are allowed to pick and choose what activities campers can participate in throughout their enrollment. “You can mix and match, to really make it very individualized,” says Ann Grubbs, associate director of 4 Star Camps. The camp offers overnight and day camp options at two locations: one at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and the other, a tennis program, at Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York. Grubbs welcomes parents’ questions and advises that they inquire not only about activities but also about supervision. “You want to know how much free time your kids will have,” she advises. “You don’t want them to have a lot of free time. A bit of downtime is okay, but you want the kids to be active and engaged more often than not.”

Other questions to ask

Don’t be afraid to pose concerns when gathering information on different facilities.

• Philosophy. You should inquire about the camp’s philosophy. This refers to what the camp’s directors feel is the purpose of their organization and how that affects the campers. The Falls Church Parks and Recreation Department welcomes this sort of open dialogue with parents. “We like to offer parents a meet-and-greet night, where they can connect with the counselors,” says Maltese. “We’ll generally have an orientation program for the parents the Friday before camp starts.”
• Discipline. Falling under the umbrella of a camp’s philosophy would be how a camp handles behavior correction. Disciplinary measures can vary greatly and parents should make sure that the camp they select will follow or complement their own methods.
• Staffing. Inquire about the staff’s level of experience. The American Camp Association (see sidebar at right), an accrediting body for camps nationwide, believes that camp directors should have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and at least 16 weeks of camp administration experience (they also should have completed in-service training within the previous three years). If the camp you are considering is not ACA-accredited, find out what qualifications the leaders possess.
• Ratios. Accredited overnight summer camps require one counselor for every six campers ages 7 to 8; one counselor for every eight campers between 9 and 14 years old; and one counselor for every ten campers ages 15 to 17. For day camps, one counselor is required for every eight campers ages 6 to 8; one counselor for every ten campers ages 9 to 14; and one counselor for every twelve campers for ages 15 to 17.
• Special Needs. If your child has special needs, be sure to have an open and honest dialogue with camp officials about what he or she will require. Make sure that the camp has the facilities and staff to care properly for your child.