Picking the Right Summer Camp

By: J.J. Lorenz

Minnesota Summer Camp what a great place for your kid.

Here are the top 10 questions to ask a summer camp director. This list was compiled by the American Camp Association.

1. What's the camp's Purpose?

Is it one you're comfortable with? Is it a good match for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program? If you're looking at a sports camp that touts an affiliation with a celebrity athlete, how much time--if any--will the sports star actually spend there?

2. How does the camp recruit, screen and train its staff?

3. Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training? Drug Testing?

4. What about return rates?

How many counselors are returning this year 50% is a good numbers. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better.

Still looking for that perfect camp? Check out this http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/minnesota.htm Minnesota Summer Camps

ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.

5. What are the ages of staff members?

6. What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby?

7. Is a Nurse at hand?

8. How does the camp Punish and Discipline?

Know what your camp's rules are and what breaches would send a camper home. You should be comfortable with these.

Know what your summer camp's rules and regulations. Be sure they match yur parental thoughts. Know what breaches would send a camper home.

This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.

9. Does the camp have vans for transportation?

10. What vehicles are used and how often are they inspected? Who drives them and what training do drivers have?

Most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp. They will tell you what makes camp so special.

Bio:
Swift Nature Camp is a http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/Summer_Youth_Camp.htm Summer Youth Camps for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/science-atcamp.htm Animal Summer Camp that increases a child's appreciation for nature, science and the environment.
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