Most families cannot make a journey to a Summer Kids Camp while it is actually in session. But if you can manage to visit a camp during that time, you stand to learn the most about that camp through direct observation and conversations.
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?
During a visit, you should observe not only the facilities and the settings, but also look closely at how the administration and the staff behave in action. If your child is with you on the tour, pay attention to how the tour guide interacts with and includes your child. The way a guide interacts with your child will reveal a lot about the camp’s attitude and relationship with children.
The camp director may or may not be the tour guide, but you should make sure to meet him or her before you leave. You need to know if the director is someone that you can trust to take care of your child for the summer. Is the director a hands-on administrator, or does he or she appear to spend more time in the office with paper work than with the staff and campers? Does the director know the names of most of the children that you meet? Where is the director’s on-camp residence?
Watch the counselors’ interaction with the campers in their care. If they aren’t kind, caring, sensitive, imaginative, patient and skilled, then nothing else will matter. Who is responsible for making sure your child has a safe and fun summer? Counselors. Watch the counselors during activities: counselors should be supervising and interacting with the kids rather than talking with other staff. Be sure counselors praise all campers in activities, not just the the best children. Counselors who teach a specialty should not just show their own skills but also show enthusiasm to the campers.
If it is at all possible go to a camp and watch it in action…you will learn so much!
Additional information can be found at Summer Camp Advice, a FREE Summer Camps website filled with information to help parent select the best summer camp for their child
Swift Nature Camp is an Coed camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. Our programs blend traditional camp activities with a Science Summer Camps.