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Summer Camp - Questions to Ask
- Is the camp accredited by either the American Camp Association (acacamps.org) or another organization such as the National Camp Association?
- What is the qualifying background of the camp director? According to the American Camp Association, a camp director should posses a bachelor's degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years and have at least 16 weeks of camp administrative experience.
- What is the educational background of the summer camp counselors? What is the minimum age of a camp counselor?
- What is the ratio of camp counselors to campers?
- What is the return rate of previous campers? How many return year after year?
- What is the camp's philosophy about learning? What are the camp's goals?
- What is included in the camp tuition? Are supply fees extra? What about transportation fees?
- Does the camp provide transportation to and from camp? If so, at what cost?
- Will the camp refund tuition should your child not be able to attend?
- Does the camp offer financial assistance for families in need? Are camperships available to qualifying families?
- Are there any special tuition discounts available?
- How does the camp deal with homesick campers?
- Does the camp allow parents or relatives to visit? If not, why? How often can your child call home or are phone calls allowed?
- How are medical emergencies handled? Does the camp have an on-call nurse or doctor available to campers?
- Does the camp offer facilities for special needs children?
- Is the camp's equipment (boats, sports equipment, etc.) in good working order?
- How does the camp manage personal health issues such as food allergies, vegetarian diets, dispensing of medication, and diabetes, for example?
- Is it possible to visit the camp before enrolling your child?
- Will the camp provide you with a list of parents to contact for references?
