| Child rearing is full of defining moments. Passing on | | | | inquiring about medical personnel on property, |
| your values, teaching how to be a good winner | | | | emergency plans (i.e. evacuation, inclement |
| and not a sore loser, and helping learn how to | | | | weather), and facility security management, staff |
| navigate social relationships and friendships are | | | | screening procedures, instructor qualifications, and |
| just a few of these critical moments shared with | | | | operating rules of specific programs. |
| our children. Another is choosing the right summer | | | | 6. Mission/ Values/ Philosophy - Does the program |
| opportunity for your child. There are many | | | | reinforce your family values? Can the director |
| questions that must be asked as you review the | | | | easily explain the programs mission statement and |
| many diverse summer experiences available for | | | | goals? Ask the director about the type of child |
| your child. Will my child make friends? What | | | | that is a successful participant in their program. |
| happens if my child does not want to participate | | | | 7. Sensitivity to Camper Needs- Understand the |
| in a specific activity? How will it be handled when | | | | training given to staff regarding camper needs |
| he is disappointed in his athletic performance? | | | | including diversity training, behavior management, |
| What will happen if my child can't pass the swim | | | | position on bullying, and navigating friendships. |
| test? Will my child be safe? Be sure to choose a | | | | Additionally, if your child has a special need (i.e. |
| program that aligns with your values and meets | | | | allergy, ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, a physical |
| your families' financial, programmatic, and | | | | limitation) be up front and open with the director. |
| emotional needs. Make it a priority to meet the | | | | Ask about the camp's ability to meet your child's |
| director, an open and honest communication is a | | | | specific needs. |
| key component to success. Share both your | | | | 8. Accreditation- Find out if the program follows a |
| concerns and your expectations, inviting dialogue | | | | nationally known accreditation process. Ask for |
| from the director in order to decide together if | | | | those standards to be outlined. Find out if their |
| the program is the right fit. The following 10 | | | | camp program is inspected each summer by the |
| important topics should be considered before | | | | Westchester Department of Health. Understand |
| making any program choice. | | | | what it means to be Accredited by the American |
| Top 10 topics to discuss with the Director | | | | Camp Association (The "ACA" is the only national |
| 1. Enrollment Options- What is the length of the | | | | organization which establishes uniform standards |
| program offered? Is there flexibility? What is the | | | | for reviewing camps) and ask if the program has |
| length of the day? Is transportation available? Ask | | | | chosen to participate. |
| and understand why the programs being offered | | | | 9. Friends- Will my child make friends? Ask what |
| have been designed at any particular length. | | | | is done to help cultivate friendships, manage the |
| 2. Program Quality/Diversity- Are you looking for | | | | rocky roads in relationships, handle cliques, and |
| a traditional well-rounded experience or a specialty | | | | ensure that new campers are welcome. |
| program? What activities are must have's for | | | | 10. Fun-All summer programs should be anchored |
| your child? What kind of teaching experience does | | | | in a spectacularly FUN and memorable experience |
| the camp activity leader have? How long is each | | | | for your child. What special traditions does the |
| activity? What kind of choice is available to my | | | | program have? Special events? |
| child? | | | | The good news is that there are tons of diverse |
| 3. Cost- We all know that price matters! Ensure | | | | summer choices for your child. The bad news is |
| that you are comparing apples to apples when | | | | that choosing a summer program can be |
| looking at programs (we all agree that the welfare | | | | overwhelming. Being confident that you have |
| of your children is not the place to cut costs). | | | | chosen the right summer camp for your child can |
| What is included in the base price? Are there a la | | | | be a defining parenting moment. I know that my |
| carte fees? What is the program's overall value | | | | camp is not the right summer experience for |
| (not simply financially but programmatically and | | | | every kid, nor can we accommodate them all; but |
| emotionally)? | | | | it is my hope that all children have a true camp |
| 4. Staff Composition- Who is caring for my child? | | | | experience that is safe, fun, and memorable. I |
| Ask about; age, experience, pre-season and | | | | hope that this top 10 becomes a resource tool |
| on-going staff training, child abuse training, | | | | for you. You should feel comfortable discussing |
| background checks, the interview process, | | | | each of these topics with the camp director and |
| retention rates, and camper-staff ratios. | | | | anything else on your mind, after all, you are |
| 5. Safety Procedures- Ask about the safety | | | | entrusting your child to their care. |
| measures that are in place. These can include | | | | |