Going to an Overnight Summer Camp

So you have made a decision that you are going to send your child to summer camp. But have you been to the camp you have chosen? It can be difficult for most parents to take a camp tour while camp is in session. Yet, if you can find a way to tour a camp, you will learn so much more than the brochures and video tell you. Be sure to phone ahead for an appointment, to ensure that you can visit on a day when you can see that camp's programs in action.

Keep in mind that summer camp is always in motion! Campers may be out of camp, or it may be visiting day or between sessions. In those cases a camp director may ask you to choose another day. Review the camp's promotional materials before the visit and have your questions ready.

Plan on spending a minimum of three and half hours at the summer camp. This will give you time to have lunch, take a tour, observe, ask questions and chat. Take the time you need to watch activities at length: this will give you a chance to see how the counselors juggle the constant demands of campers. Make sure all safety precautions are being taken. Look out over the water. Are the campers wearing lifejackets?

Take your child with you on the tour and pay attention to how the guide relates with your child. The way the guide interacts with your child will tell you volumes about the camp's attitude towards the children it should be there to serve.

Don't be overly concerned if the camp director cannot guide your tour, but if that is the case you should ask for time to meet the directors before you leave. Be sure you feel as if you can trust the directors with your child for the length of a camp session. Here are a few questions to keep in mind about a camp director: is he or she a hands-on administrator, comfortable spending time with campers and staff, or is the majority of time spent in the office with paper work? Where is the director's on-camp residence? Does the director know the names of the of the kids he or she encounters?

The counselors are the adults who your camper will spend all his or her time with. You will want your child to be treated well. So make sure the counselors you see are kind, caring, sensitive, imaginative, patient and skilled. During activities, you should see counselors supervising the campers rather than chatting amongst themselves. Make sure that the specialty staff are not only skilled themselves, but also are enthusiastic, communicative teachers.

If it is at all possible go to a camp and watch it in action...you will learn so much!

For additional information visit Summer Camp Advisor, a FREE Summer Camp website filled with information to help parent select the best summer camp for their child

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

About the authors:Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the owners of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as adventures for teens.

by: Lonie Lorenz

Total views: 3 Word Count: 507 Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 Time: 3:43 PM - 1 comments

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