by Cathy Ashby

The American Camping Association estimates that there are more than 8,500 summer camps in the United States. So why is it so difficult to select the right program for your child? One reason: They all look fabulous on paper. Every summer program produces a good-looking brochure. Some even offer high quality videos for prospective campers. These promotional materials are filled with words like “intensive” and “enriching”; they describe “life skills” and “life-long friendships,” all in an effort to make their programs more attractive. But how can you tell what the program, its staff and its participants are really like?

Ideally, you should visit prospective camps during a summer session and talk with the program directors and staff. Take a tour, observe the campers and even sample the cuisine to form an educated and, most importantly, personal impression of the program.

But let’s get real: Most parents don’t have time to visit camps, and most camp directors are too busy to offer extensive guided tours. For busy parents, a well-organized and diverse camp fair can be an effective time-saving tool to explore camp options, talk with camp representatives and, ultimately, come to a sound decision about choosing a summer camp.

Camp Show Preplanning

Before you go, consult with your child to find out the type of camp you’re both interested in. Armed with this information, you can narrow your search and lower the number of people you need to speak with at the show.

Contact the host of the camp fair to request a list of the exhibitors registered to attend the show. This list is particularly helpful in advance as it will serve as a checklist of your must-see exhibitors, and it will help you determine what kinds of questions to ask when you speak with camp representatives.

Before the show you can gather more information by searching for camp Web sites. Each camp’s site should offer a look inside its program with descriptions of camp life, a daily schedule and activities. Make note of program highlights and jot down any questions that come to mind.

Create a Camp Checklist

With the information you found online, your questions and a list of show exhibitors, develop a checklist, with selected camps and a list of questions, to take to the camp fair. In your checklist, you’ll want to know some details beyond the number of campers, cost and length of session. Here’s a list to get you started:

What are the program’s mission and philosophy?

Is the program accredited and by whom? If it is not, you may want to ask why the camp directors feel accreditation is not important.

What is the ratio of staff to campers? How is the staff trained? What are their credentials? How many of them used to be campers?

What is the background of the program director? How long has he or she been with the program?

How many campers return for multiple summers?

Can they provide the name(s) of former campers (or parents) who might be willing to talk with you about the program?

What are the program’s standards for discipline?

What is the ratio of activity or class time to free time?

What kind of medical treatment/facility does the program have access to?

Does the program have a promotional video?

Take your children to the camp fair with you. They may think of additional questions, different from the ones you will be asking. Encourage them to speak with the camp representatives and to form their own opinions about the camp’s personality, whether it be a day camp or an overnight program.

Visiting the Show

With checklist in hand, visit the camps that fit the description of the type of program you’re interested in. You probably won’t have time to hit every table at a camp fair, says Dave Purcell, the executive director of Camp Thunderbird in South Carolina. Narrow down the list to the ones both you and your child can live with. “It’s best to spend time quality time at the tables you’re interested in,” says Purcell.

With a little luck, you’ll leave the camp fair knowing exactly which programs match your family’s needs, and your child will be ready to register for camp. Now comes the hard part – packing!

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