Thinking about camp but don’t know where to start? Here are a few ways to research a camp program and find out which one will be right for your child:
Ask friends and neighbors
Asking your friends where their child goes to camp is a good starting point for your research, but remember, each child is different, so a camp that is the right fit for one might not be best for another.
Make sure to do your own research according to who your child is and what your family’s values are.
Talk to the camp director
Call the director and ask some key questions to find out about a camp’s philosophy and if it matches your own.
Get to know the camp director through phone calls and correspondence. You want to feel comfortable with the director and feel that you can partner with him or her to ensure your child has a successful summer experience.
Camp tours
When possible, schedule a tour for the summer prior to the one in which your child is going to go to camp.
Touring allows you to see the camp in action and will give you a good sense about the camp program and culture. Take the time to ask questions about the camp, see the facilities, and meet the director.
Home visits
Often times, the camp director will come to your home to meet with you and your child. Ask him or her about the camp’s mission statement and what type of child is successful at their camp.
The more open families are with the directors, the better informed they will be when it comes to making a decision. A director can help guide you and determine the most appropriate fit.
Camp fairs
Camp fairs allow parents to meet representatives from dozens of camps all in one day. It’s a great chance to find out about a few different programs, all within an hour or two. Both day and sleepaway camps attend these fairs and give families an opportunity to ask the director key questions about the program.
Open houses
Many camps have open houses in the spring and fall that offer families a chance to see the camp facilities and get a feel for the camp. These events are a good opportunity for families to get to know the director and ask questions about the camp philosophy and program while in the camp setting. Check with the camps you are interested in to see if they will host any open houses.
Look at websites, videos, and brochures
Parents and campers can look over a camp’s website, social media, brochures, and video. They will give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp websites have photo slideshows, videos, virtual tours, and maps that will give parents and children a glimpse of the camp and the program.
Many also include a sample daily schedule, so families can see what a typical day at camp is like.
Camps will also send you a DVD (upon request), so you and your child can view the camp and see campers and counselors engaged in activities.
Jess Michaels is the director of communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the summer camp experience. Parents looking for a camp for their child can contact the organization for free, one-on-one advice in finding a camp at (212) 391–5208.
