Kids and Teens Central

So you are thinking of sending your child to summer camp! Here are a few questions you need to ask that may affect your child’s stay at camp. If an area is really important for your child and you can not find the information be sure to call the camp Director and ask for more information.Summer Camp

Facilities Be careful to look at the condition of the facilities. Do the buildings well maintained,? Or do they show signs of needed maintenance. Rustic buildings are perfectly ok, make sure that they are not being neglected. Specific things you’ll want to look for and ask about include:

Bunks: * Do children live in cabins, tents, or dorms? * How many beds are in each cabin? * Are they bunk beds or individual cots? * How do the campers choose which beds they want? * Where do the campers store their belongings? * Are the cabins to crowded? Is there enough storage space? Has the camp overbooked and crowded extra campers in? * Are the cabins clean? Are beds made by the campers and belongings stowed? * How many counselors sleep in each Cabin?

Bathrooms: * Where are the toilets? Does each bunk have it’s own toilets or is there a common bathhouse? * If there is a common bathhouse, do children have to walk alone at night? Is the path lighted? * Are there showers in each bunk? * Do campers have to walk in their bathrobes/pajamas to the showers? * If the camp is coed, how separate are the shower facilities? * Who cleans the facilities, and how often?

Waterfront or Swimming Pool: *Can pool accommodate all of camps swimmers? * Is the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What waterfront equipment is provided? * What is the supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets worn during water activities? * Is swimming areas marked? * How are swimmers counted and watched? Buddy board?

The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition? * Does the camp have the activities your child wants?

Dinning Hall:This is one of the most important areas in camp. Your child will spend 2-3 hours a day in the Dinning Hall. So make sure the Camp Directors understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Their are an increasing amount of dietary option and allergy that camps are dealing with. If you have special dietary needs don’t be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Kids Summer Camp * Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? After all, this is your child’s best friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served? If they are served, who serves the food? * What if the camper doesn’t like the main selection? Are there alternatives? Is there a salad bar? * Are snacks served? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What is a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or her credentials? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Is the kitchen inspected by local authorities?

Remember this article has to do with the comforts of camp and not with safety at camp. The American Camp Association has a certification program that looks at over 300 different aspects of camp. It is always best to select a camp that has been ACA Accredited.ACA

You can learn more about selecting a wonderful Teen Summer Camp by visiting Summer Camp Advice Finding a Summer Camp

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at 4:37 am and is filed under teens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.