Blog

Questions to ask a camp director

January 19th, 2021

Camp is a wonderful experience that will benefit your child’s mental and physical well-being, even more so during the pandemic. Before beginning your search, consult other parents who have sent their child to camp and other friends, neighbors, and relatives. A personal referral is always the best way to narrow the possibilities.  Check social media, web sites, reviews, and referral organizations like the ACA. Once you have one in mind, call, or contact the camp. It is a good sign if the camp director replies quickly, a likely indication of what to expect during the summer. They should be polite, informative, confident, and patient.

Staffing & Supervision

How are counselors hired, screened & trained? What are their qualifications? How old are they? What are the ratios of supervision? Ten campers to one counselor should be the maximum. How are the campers grouped, by age & grade? Are the groups coed? Campers do best when they are with their age & not more than a year younger or older. Co-ed groups should be for the youngest & oldest campers.

Transportation & Extended Day

Most parents either work or are watching younger kids at home. Homes may not be close enough to the camp for them to drive them to camp. Bus service & extended hours is crucial. Is transportation and/or extended hours available; does it cost extra? What types of buses are used? Are bus drivers certified, fingerprinted, Etc.? Are seatbelts mandatory and are buses air-conditioned and supervised? Is bus service door to door or do you have to meet the bus somewhere else? How long is the trip to and from camp? An hour or less is optimal. What time is bus pick up & drop off? If the camp offers extended day, what are the hours? What activities are available for kids who stay after the buses leave.  Is a combination of bus & extended hours available?

Discipline Policy

Every camp is required to have a discipline policy. Ask about it. Who may administer discipline and when? Camps should never restrict a camper from an activity, meal, or event as punishment.

Tuition, payment options, discounts, and refunds

Affordability is always important - tuition and also what it includes. Are payment plans available and free? Is there a minimum number of days or weeks you may attend? Is there a surcharge for credit card payments? Can you increase or decrease the enrollment without penalty? Can you make up missed days? What is the camps refund policy? Is there a sibling, early-bird, or essential worker discount? If lunch is available, what is the cost & menu? What about snacks and drinks?

Activities

Ask about the camp’s program and activities. Unless the camp is a “specialty camp,” that specializes in one particular area, like tennis, drama, or gymnastics, a nice variety of activities consisting of sports, fitness, the arts, science & nature, theme days, and field trips, will maintain your child’s interest for the summer. Ask if the activities are age-appropriate, competitive or just for fun. What is the camp’s policy for campers who do not want to participate?  If the camp goes on field trips, where do they go & how do they get there? How are they supervised?

Health

When necessary, how is camper medication administered? Is there a Nurse or other medical professional ON duty, AT camp, at all times? What precautions are taken for campers with food and peanut allergies or campers with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma? Are counselors certified in CPR & first aide? What are the protocols for injuries and parental notification? Does the camp apply sunscreen?

Enrollment Process

Most camps use an on-line enrollment system, which makes registration easy and efficient. However, some parents may prefer to enroll in person. Camps have numerous, regularly scheduled, in person open houses, where a parent can visit, ask questions, tour the camp, and enroll. It’s also a great opportunity to ask other parents who are returning from previous summers their opinion. It is advisable to bring the camper with you to at least one before camp begins. A good director will be tolerant of all your questions and concerns and generous with his time.

Choosing the best camp for you child does not have to be a difficult job. Do your due diligence, talk to other parents, then contact and visit the camps you are considering. A good camp director will help with your search.

The Camp Business & COVID

October 8, 2020

Recently, we attended a couple of day camp conferences, as we do every year at this time. It gives us a chance to converse with our peers, compare notes & discuss and review best practices. This year’s discussions were dominated by the pandemic. More than half the NY & NJ day camps we met, opened. Most reported enrollment at approximately 50% capacity. Many of the experiences we shared were similar.

-Owners, directors & staff were anxious and even “scared” of both opening & not opening, (same as us).

- There was NOT one case of COVID- campers or staff, at any camp.

-Parents were more appreciative & thankful than any summer in memory.

-Even with limited activities, restrictions & horrible weather, (for us, a tornado, hurricane & Black-outs) most campers raved that this summer was the best, ever.

-Parents who did cancel & there were many, were regretful, got refunds and credits with most planning to return in 2021

- Most expect 2021 to be normal, but are prepared for any contingency

- Camps improvised & adjusted operations in many ways, mostly with session length, lunch, busing & drastically curtailed enrollment & group size.

-Without exception, every director who opened their camp, were happy they did and thought 2020 to be the most gratifying summer of their career

We plan to participate in more conferences, virtual seminars, and meetings, thru out the year. Our effort to remain the most innovative, safe & successful day camps, continues long after we say goodbye to you each summer.