With summer finally here, now is the time to start thinking about summer activities for your kids.
Summer camp is a great way to expose your child to new activities and friends, as well as allow them to build their self confidence and independence.
If your child has expressed interest in attending summer camp, keep these tips in mind to help prepare them for a fun, safe experience.
Before you send your child off for a week or two of fun, it is important to research the following questions before choosing a summer camp:
Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) or licensed by the state?
ACA accredited camps must meet up to 300 operation standards including staff training, health and emergency training, cleanliness, food service, and more.
The ACA works with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Red Cross, and other agencies to ensure their practices follow the most up-to-date recommendations for your child’s safety. To check the status of your summer camp, visit acacamps.org or call (800) 428-CAMP.
What are the hiring requirements for staff?
You should know how the camp recruits staff, and whether criminal and sex offender checks are conducted. Are all staffers at least 18 years of age? You should also ask what type of licenses and certifications are required. Are all staff members trained in child CPR?
Be sure to ask what the counselor ratio is for campers. The ACA recommends that there should be one adult for every six kids ages seven to eight; one adult for every eight kids ages nine to 14; and one adult for every 10 kids ages 15 to 18.
How does the camp handle medical emergencies?
The camp should have health and safety policies in place to deal with minor incidents such as a scrape, cut, and more. It is also important to know the camp’s plan to handle emergencies if your child is seriously hurt and needs immediate medical attention.
How many nurses or other medical professionals are onsite? How will you be alerted if there is a medical emergency? It is also acceptable to ask about a camp’s the safety record. If your child takes medication, you should know your camp’s medication policies.
What else is important to you?
If your child has a food allergy, you will want to know how they handle and serve food, as well as how they deal with special food needs.
Are you worried about bullying? Ask the camp what its policies are on handling bullies. Do you want to know what a typical day is like? Ask for a daily or weekly schedule of activities your child will participate in.
Once you’ve done all your homework, talk with your child to see if he or she is still interested in attending summer camp. Make sure they still want and are excited to attend a camp that interests them (as long as it is parent-approved).
The author, Dr. Craig Collison, grew up in State College. He graduated from the State College Area High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics at The Pennsylvania State University. He went on to medical school, graduating from The Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University. He then went to Case Western Reserve University, where he completed his general pediatrics residency program at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, part of University Hospitals of Cleveland. Dr. Collison enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
