Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe: What You Need to Know Before Selecting a Summer Camp

WRITTEN BY SARA SILVA

Summer camps fill up fast! The rush to ensure care for your young child during the summer months can put a lot of pressure on families. And in some areas, the sheer number of summer camp options can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to know before making your choice.

The Basics:

Did you know that summer camps in Montana do not need to meet any child care licensing requirements? Summer camps are considered legally-operating, unlicensed child care and do not generally receive any oversight. This also means that they generally do not need to meet any specific health and safety requirements to be up and running. No need to be anxious, this just means that there is a bit more work on parents to ensure child safety during the summer months.

Of course, there are exceptions, for example: If your child care center is licensed and runs a summer program, they are generally required to meet licensing rules year-round (including during their summer program).

Vetting Summer Camp Options: Foundationally, you want to ensure that the logistics of the summer camps you are considering meet your family’s needs. Stepping beyond this foundation, it is important to consider a few additional pointers to ensure a healthy and safe summer.

• Get camp referrals from trusted family friends: Do you know someone who has had a positive experience with the camp(s) you are considering? The recommendation of family friends can go a long way to ensuring that the camp is a good fit for your family.

• Ask the camp about staff experience and training: Are staff required to engage in basic health and safety training (such as first aid and CPR certification)? Is staff consistent throughout the length of the summer camp? What is the staff’s general level of experience meeting the needs of young children? How many staff members will be available to the children at all times?

• Prioritize safety: Does the camp have a comprehensive emergency plan? Is there a back-up plan for inclement weather? How is sunscreen handled? Bugs? What is the plan for keeping kiddos with allergies or medical needs healthy and safe? What is your access to a staff member if you need to check in on how your child is doing? What about if your child is struggling? What is the camp policy about reaching out to parents if their kid is having a hard time transitioning into the camp routines?

Better Together:

Consider your child’s interests when selecting a summer camp. If age appropriate, work together with your kiddo to pick out the camp that they would like to attend. Consider whether your child will know others attending the camp with them.

Prepare your child(ren) to have a summer of fun by talking often and frequently about when the summer camp will begin, what they can expect during their camp experience and how much fun they are going to have. If your child has a difficult time with new experiences and transitions, see if you can visit the camp location and meet staff members before the first day. It can also be helpful to develop a consistent good-bye routine, and it doesn’t hurt to have a family photo or item belonging to a parent to keep close during those first few days of summer camp.

Trust Your Gut:

Although summer camps are not required to be licensed with Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services, if you are concerned about the health and safety of children at a particular camp call Child Care Licensing (406-4442012) or Montana’s Centralized Intake (1-866820-5437) to file a report.

Sara Silva, is a Coach at Child Care Connections, where their work at is all about quality child care. Visit CCC online at cccmontana.orgor call 406-587-7786 for information on services for families and child care providers.