Ask the Camp Director

We can we find an eco-friendly camp?

2009-03-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Question asked by Jill in Billings, Montana

Very timely question, not just because earth day is coming up next month. More and more summer camps have embraced"going green"offering families an increasing array of eco-friendly camp options. We can't vouch for the validity of any camp's claims, but TravelingtheGreenWay.com lists its "Top 5 Green Summer Camps."

I'm sure there are many, MANY others. Eco-friendly practices are a huge initiative in the summer camp industry right now. Contact the American Camp Association to ask for a referral of some eco-friendly camps in your area. And thanks for your commitment to protecting our environment!

Are there really new laws for camps in California?

2009-03-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Question posted from Jill in San Diego

Hi Jill,

Great question, especially given the fact most CAMP DIRECTORS don't even know about the new regulations affecting organized camps in California. We've had the same laws for about 50 years, and now they've finally been updated to be more reflective of today's camps and campers.

The laws and regulations are fairly involved. So here's a link to the main excerpts from the American Camp Association in PDF format. Any further questions, please feel free to ask.

How Can I find the Most Affordable Camp for my Child?

2009-03-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

There are several ways to save money on camp. Here is a recent article that appeared in the San Diego Tribune's online version which addresses your very question.

Does every camp offer transportation?

2009-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the question. No, not every camp provides transportation. In general, day camps provide transportation more so than resident (overnight/sleepaway) camps. But not all day camps offer it, either, so your best bet is to check with the camp director. Thanks again.

Are there any good camps in Indiana?

2009-03-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

I just Googled "Indiana Summer Camps." Here are some sample results:

http://www.camppage.com/indiana.htm
http://www.indianasummercamp.com/
http://www.mysummercamps.com/camps/indiana-summer-camps.html

Remember, these are only a SMALL sample of what's available; go ahead and type "Indiana Summer Camps" and you'll see pages and pages of possibilities. Have a great summer!

How many kids go to camp in my area?

2009-03-10T14:07:00.001-07:00

I'm afraid I can't answer your question unless you tell me where you live, but assuming you're in the United States, I can say that approximately 10 million kids attend camp each summer. Thanks for your question.

Are you having any open houses?

2009-03-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks for your question. Attending camp open houses is a great way to learn about various programs. But I'm not sure if you're asking about Aloha Beach Camp's open houses in Los Angeles, or cam open houses in general. Aloha Beach Camp is having an Open House on Sunday, March 15, and two more after that. If you're looking for general information, you can type "Summer Camp Open House" into Google and see what comes up. Hope this helps.

How do Early Bird Discounts Work?

2009-02-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

Your question is timely. Many camps offer Early Bird discounts where you can save money off camp tuition by reserving your child's space in advance. For example, Aloha Beach Camp in Los Angeles offers Early Bird rates which expire this Sunday, March 1. If you don't sign up for camp by Sunday, you'll need to pay full price.

It's HIGHLY likely the camp(s) you're considering offer Early Bird rates, too. Especially in this tanking economy, you'll want to jump at any money-saving opportunity you can. And if you're sending your kids to camp this summer, this one's a no-brainer.

What if you miss the deadline or need a little more time?

Most camp directors are very understanding. Ask for a slight extension to the deadline, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Good luck!

How much should we pay for camp?

2009-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is obviously a very relevant topic and something that's on everyone's mind given the state of our economy. There's no definitive answer to this question, largely because camps vary in price so much and your family's budget plays a large part. The good news is, there's a camp for every budget and the more expensive camps aren't necessarily "better" than those that cost less (although in many cases you do get what you pay for).

You might want to check out this question and answer (somewhat related to yours) someone asked earlier: http://askthecampdirector.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-is-summer-camp-so-expensive.html

Hope this informaton helps!

Where can we find a good sports camp?

2009-02-25T09:49:00.000-08:00

Sports camps are a form of specialty summer camps. There are many different types of sports camps. Some focus on just one sport -- such as football, basketball or baseball -- where kids participate in these sports activities exclusively while at camp. There are other more general types of sports camps, too; these are often called "multi-sports" camps where campers are exposed to a wide variety of sports during the day. As we have suggested before, choosing a sports camp that has earned accreditation from the American Camp Association is always a good idea. There are other sports camp related search engines which may also be good resources including http://www.sportscampsearch.com and http://www.localsportscamps.com

How do you start a new camp?

2009-02-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

If you are interested instarting up your own camp program, we suggest visiting the American Camp Association's website at http://www.acacamps.org/startacamp for some general guidelines. In addition, you can visit this ehow link which may be helpful as well.

What are the proper counselor-to-staff ratios at camp?

2009-02-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

Great question. The answer varies. But we prefer to follow the American Camp Association's (ACA) guidelines. The following information is from the ACA's Camp Parents website:

ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs. Generally, the ratios at resident camps range from: One staff member for every five campers ages 4 and 5; one staff member for every six campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every eight campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 10 campers ages 15 to 17. At day camps the ratios range from: one staff member for every six campers ages 4 and 5; eight campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17.

Hope this info helps.

When is the best time to sign up for camp

2009-02-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

The sooner the better! Camps seem to fill up faster and earlier every year. And most camps have a strict capacity limit. Once they're full, they're full, so they can't just "make room for one more" or "squeeze your child in." Many camps fill up by February or March, so if one or more camps have caught your eye, consider signing up as soon as possible. Otherwise the camp might not have room for you, and you'll have a very unhappy camper on your hands!

Can you recommend a good camp for teenagers?

2009-02-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

What happens when your older child hits that "middle ground” when they’ve outgrown the typical summer camp scene but still need worthwhile activities and adult supervision during the summer? The good news is, there are many summer camps and programs designed exclusively older kids and teenagers.

I just Googled “summer camps for teens” and got a number of interesting results:

http://acacamps.org
http://teen-summer-camps.com
http://gobroadreach.com
http://alohabeachcamp.com/camp_programs-high_action_camp.html
http://alohabeachcamp.com/los_angeles_surf_camp.html
http://alohabeachcamp.com/los_angeles_summer_camp.html
http://omegateencamp.org

And there are many others.

We don’t recommend one or more of these programs over another. You'll need to conduct your own due diligence to find the ideal fit for your older child. But it's comforting to know you’ve got some potentially great opportunities for your tween or teen to have a safe, fun summer this year!

Is there a basic FAQ list for a camp director?

2009-02-18T13:55:00.001-08:00

Yes. The American Camp Assocation publishes such a list right here. You might want to bring this list with you when talking to, or visiting, camps.

Where can I find a camp for my child with special needs?

2009-02-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs? Depending on your particular circumstances and location, you have numerous options and opportunities available for your child to enjoy a safe, fun and rewarding camp experience this year.

Let’s say you live in southern California and your child has autism, ADD, ADHD, or another learning disability. How about signing them up for a surf camp or beach camp? Learning to surf is so much fun and can build self-confidence, esteem and lifelong water safety skills. Aloha Beach Camp in Los Angeles and Paskowitz Surf Camp in Orange County are two camps you might consider.

If your child has cancer, contact Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. This program has an outstanding reputation and you can’t go wrong sending your child there.
According to the camp’s website, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times “provides cost-free, medically supported camps for children with cancer and their families" and is dedicated to helping children with cancer “recapture hope, enthusiasm, and love of life in a medically and psychologically safe environment created especially for them.”

What if your child has special needs other than those discussed above? According to Theresa Torrone, a camp director in Los Angeles and a volunteer for the American Camp Association (ACA), “There is certainly a camp to serve them. Children with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, speech impairment, hearing impairments, blood disorders and almost any other special need can find a suitable summer camp where they’ll be safe, have fun, make new friends, have a rewarding summer experience and become the proverbial ‘happy camper.’”

Torrone emphasizes that the volunteers who work for the ACA are “caring, committed professionals who love sharing their knowledge and experience to help your child with special needs find the right camp for you.”

She suggests visiting the ACA’s website at http://acacamps.com to conduct a free online search to find a camp to meet your needs, or calling the ACA’s Indiana headquarters at 765-342-8456 for a free referral.

Last but not least, you might consider visiting a website called Very Special Camps for more information special needs summer camps and programs.

Why is summer camp so expensive?

2009-02-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

If the word “affordable” doesn’t come to mind when you think of summer camp, you’re not alone. Sending your kids to camp for just a few weeks could run you several hundred to several thousand bucks or more.

The good news is there’s a camp for every budget. You don’t have to break the bank for your child to enjoy a fantastic camp experience. Not only that, choosing a less expensive camp DOES NOT necessarily mean you've picked a lower quality camp.

You might be asking yourself whether sending your child to camp is worth the price. And, by the way...why does it cost so much?

In general, summer camps have costs they need to cover in order to deliver a safe, fun program for your child. When you pay a little more for camp, the camp can be extremely selective in the staff it hires, plus camp can purchase higher-end (best quality) equipment and supplies to share with your camper.

You can’t put a price tag on safety, supervision and fun for your child. But that’s not all. We haven’t even discussed insurance premiums, advertising, transportation, and other many other costs camps incur to provide an outstanding camp experience for your child.

The high cost of raising kids is indisputable, but the documented benefits of the camp experience are indisputable, too. Imagine all the fun and important things your child would miss by not going to camp:

Fun, instructional activities

Social interaction with other kids

Making new friends

Learning new skills

Learning to live independently and take responsibility for themselves

Gaining self-confidence and esteem

Making personal connections with other kids and camp counselors

Creating special lifetime memories

In this economy, families are cutting back on everything that’s not essential. Certainly a fantastic camp experience is something every child deserves, but whether the price of camp is “worth it” is open to subjectivity. Only you can decide the appropriate answer for your family.

And although the summer camp industry is often considered to be one where you get what you pay for, the important point to remember is that there’s a camp to fit every family’s budget whether you’re looking for a day camp in Los Angeles, a sleepaway camp in New York or any camp anywhere in between.

What does camp accreditation mean?

2009-02-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Approximately 10 million kids attend camp each summer, but only a small percentage of them attend camps that are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

Choosing an ACA accredited camp is your best assurance the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to camper health, safety and supervision, food service, transportation, risk-management, facility maintenance, staff training and program quality, among others.

By choosing an accredited camp your child will be in exclusive company; fewer than 25% of camps in the United States have earned ACA accreditation.

It’s important to note that accreditation is not the same as a license to operate, and accreditation does not guarantee safety. Each state and/or county may have its own licensing and regulations for camps. However, according to the American Camp Association, “accreditation is the best evidence for parents that a camp is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”

How do you know if the camp you’re considering for your kids has achieved ACA accreditation? Just ask the camp director. If they answer “yes,” you may be found a winner. If the camp is not accredited, you should ask the camp director why not. (Just because a camp is not accredited doesn't mean it's a "bad" camp, but if you're not satisfied with the camp director's answer, perhaps it's time to consider another camp.)

Good luck!

Can my child bring a cell phone to camp?

2009-02-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Seems like everyone these days carries a cell phone, iPod or some other electronic device they can't live without. Kids are no exception. But what happens when kids want to bring these items to summer camp?

Some camps allow kids to bring electronic gadgets with them; others vehemently restrict kids from doing so arguing they are easily lost, damaged or even stolen. Moreover, some camp directors feel such items are counterproductive to the camp experience.

Before you sign up for camp, the best strategy is to clarify with the camp director the camp's position on cell phones and other electronic items before your child starts camp.

How do I find the best camp for my child?

2009-02-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

Is there really a “best” summer camp among all the rest? There are many good ones. But being the "best means different things to different people. So the best summer camp is simply the one that meets your child’s needs in ways others don’t.

And yet, there are certain attributes common to every camp to be considered among the elite. It doesn’t matter if it’s a day camp, overnight camp, traditional camp, sports camp, or any other kind of camp. They all must meet certain standards of quality (if not excellence) to be included in the mix.

The best summer camps are those that:

Emphasize camper safety as their number one priority

Use modern equipment for every activity)

Have a high annual counselor return rate)

Have a high annual camper return rate)

Have highly organized staff training and recruitment programs)

Have well-maintained camp facilities)

Have well-planned and executed activity program(s))

Cultivate atmospheres where your child feels safe, comfortable, and accepted by his or her fellow campers)

Have counselors who go out of their way to make a personal connection with your child)

Promote environments where your child can increase his or her self-confidence and esteem, and grow as a person through the camp experience.)

Have achieved accreditation by the American Camp Association. (Accreditation ensures the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to camper health and safety, supervision, activity planning and programming, food service, transportation and more)

Where do you find the best summer camp for your child? We recommend contacting the American Camp Association (ACA) for a free referral. Let them know you’re looking for a summer camp and communicate any important details about what type of camp you’re looking for. They’ll give you several names and numbers of potential camps that might be the best for your child.

You can also use the ACA's Internet camp search engine tool at http://www.findacamp.com where you can input certain criteria such as camp location, type of program, activities offered, camper ages, and more, and the search engine will provide you with a free listing of camps that match your search criteria.

Best of luck finding the best summer camp for you!

Where can I find a camp online?

2009-02-09T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Internet is a great source of information for finding summer camps. Many camp-specific search engines are available for free. Try http://www.findacamp.com and http://www.campsearch.com are two places to start.