Making the Right Choice: Tips to find the best camp for your child

BY EVAN GOLDNER

With thousands of programs from which to choose, picking a summer camp is not an easy task. Here are some tips I’ve compiled over the past 14 years helping families decide what camp is right for their kids.

Day camp or overnight camp? Overnight camps provide fun, enrichment and friendship, but can also help boost a camper’s self-esteem and confidence because campers are away from home and their comfort zone. Day camps are perfect for campers who have weekend or nightly commitments elsewhere, families that need child care and kids who want to test out camp life without having to be away from family.

Traditional camp or specialty camp? Traditional camps offer a wide variety of sports and activities; this is great for campers looking to try out lots of things. If a prospective camper has a passion for a certain sport or activity, you can narrow down choices by searching only for specialty camps that cater to that activity.

Camp length? Camps vary in length from a few days to the full summer. Pick a camp that fits into your summer plans and gives your camper the level of immersion they are ready for and excited about.

Coed or not? Prospective camp parents often struggle with this question. Coed camps allow boys and girls to build interpersonal skills as they interact with each other while

some children may find single-gender camps more comfortable and less pressured. Whatever your thoughts are on the matter, be sure to talk with your child for their thoughts.

Once you have narrowed it down to two or three camps, pick up the phone and ask the big questions:

Can you tell me about your camp? This question allows the owner or manager an opportunity to highlight the important aspects of their operation. Jot down notes on the structure of the camp program, cabins and facilities, number of campers per session, ratio of boys to girls or any other points important to you.

How long has your camp been around? Some camps in the United States have been around for more than 100 years, while others may be embarking on their first summer. Longevity does not make a program good or bad, but learning about changes in management, facilities or programming could be helpful.

What is your role at camp? An off-season camp representative is usually an owner or year-round manager and should have a thorough understanding of the camp’s operations and the camp industry in general.

How do you screen your staff? Counselors will be interacting with campers 24 hours a day. Make sure that a camp employs responsible, age-appropriate and background-checked counselors. If the director does not tell you that they perform background checks, in-person interviews and reference checks, move on to another camp.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio? Having a great staff is important, but having enough of them is essential. The key ratio to look for in larger, traditional camps is at least 1:4, one counselor to every four campers. Small specialty camps should have even lower ratios, usually 1:2. If the camp offers swimming, you should ask how many counselors are certified lifeguards.

Can we set up a tour? Whether you go to an open house, schedule a private tour or ask for a virtual one, you should try to take this extra step in your camp search.

There are many other questions you should ask. A camp may be perfect for one child but a terrible fit for another — don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Good luck in your search! �

Evan Goldner is the founder/director of Water Monkey, a small coed overnight summer camp for kids ages 10-17 focused on water sports including wakeboarding, wakesurfing and waterskiing based in New Durham. For more information, contact Evan at evan@watermonkeycamp.com.