When choosing a summer camp, select one that matches your child’s interests and readiness level, ask about the camp’s safety measures, and make sure the camp communicates openly with parents. Start by checking for accreditation from the American Camp Association, then ask about supervision, health care, daily activities, and cost. Talking with the camp director will help you decide whether the camp experience is suitable for your child.

Choose a Program That Fits Your Child

Ask your child what sounds exciting and what feels uncertain. Would they prefer doing a variety of activities or taking part in a program centered on one particular interest? You should also consider the age requirements, the length of the sessions, and how comfortable your child is spending time away from home. For some children, a day camp or a shorter overnight stay might be a good starting point. ^[1]

Look at the camp’s aims together with any religious beliefs it has. Find out how these values shape the activities and whether the camp will feel like a friendly place for your family. Also find out how the campers are divided according to age and what arrangements it makes for children who come without a friend. A routine activity can help a new camper to feel more at ease, while suitable challenges still allow for personal growth.

Verify ACA Accreditation

ACA accreditation means a camp voluntarily participates in a peer review of its operations, covering practices related to camper health, safety, and program quality; it offers a useful framework for evaluating camps.^[2]

You can check a camp’s current accreditation status using the ACA’s Find a Camp directory or by contacting ACA directly. Since accreditation is not the same as state licensing, and neither ensures a risk-free experience, keep asking how the camp puts its policies into practice.^{[3, 4]}

Ask About Staff and Supervision

Carefully consider the people looking after your child. Find out how the staff are selected, what training they get, and who oversees the counselors. Training should cover child protection, behavior management, emergency procedures, and appropriate boundaries.^[3]

Find out the actual camper-to-staff ratios for your child’s age group, including overnight supervision. Find out whether these ratios change during swimming, trips, or other activities. Find out who leads the special activities, what qualifications they have, and how they teach people who are new to them. Find out how campers can raise concerns and how the staff deal with bullying. Ask whether a child can choose to stop or decline to take part in an activity and what alternative is provided. Staff should clearly explain how they promote participation while considering a camper’s comfort, preferences, and abilities.

Understand Health Care and Emergency Plans

Find out who provides healthcare, when that person is available, and how the camp arranges contact with further medical assistance. Find out how medications are stored and distributed, how allergies are managed, and when parents are informed about a child’s illness or injury.^[4]

Before you register, review your child’s medical, dietary, accessibility, or emotional support needs, and ask for specific details about the accommodations the camp can offer. Also ask about shelter in case of severe weather, emergency drills, and water-safety procedures, including how they will assess swimming ability.

Look for Homesickness Support and Clear Communication

It is normal for people to feel homesick when they first arrive at an overnight camp, so find out how counselors help campers adjust to their new environment, make friends, and access support. Also check when the staff get in touch with the parents if a child is having difficulties.^[5]

Review the policies on letters, phone calls, email, and information from family members. Make sure you know who to contact if you have concerns and how to reach the camp in an emergency. The ACA suggests that children should be involved in selecting the camp and that separations should be practiced in advance. Set out the communication expectations you can explain clearly to your child.^[5]

Picture a Typical Day

Get a copy of the sample schedule, along with photos of the places campers use. Look for activities that are suitable for the children’s ages, adequate rest periods, and chances to try something new. Find out whether campers can choose their activities and how staff support children who are hesitant.

When you are arranging your child’s overnight stay, discuss the sleeping arrangements, bathrooms, showers, and what they will do at night. Ask whether they value privacy, whether support is available for bed-wetting, what the meal provisions are, and what facilities are available for children with picky eating habits. Knowing these details will help your family set realistic expectations. If you can, let your child look around the cabins and ask any questions they have; their worries may be practical, such as where they will keep their belongings or who will help them find the bathroom at night.

Compare the Full Cost

Find out what the tuition fee covers and whether there are extra costs for transportation, equipment, trips, or anything else. When comparing prices, consider the full range of the experience. Staffing levels and the nature of the instruction can affect what families get for the tuition.^[6]

Ask about scholarships, payment plans, and any available discounts. Before deciding, make sure you have read the deposit requirements, payment deadlines, and cancellation policies. Find out whether discounts can be combined and what happens if your family has to change sessions. Also keep a copy of the terms that you agree to.^[6]

Talk With the Director Before Registering

You can use a tour, an open house, or a telephone conversation to ask any further questions. Ask families whose children took part in a similar program for references, and look for direct answers and a willingness to discuss your child’s particular needs.^[4]

If Camp Ondessonk is among the camps you have in mind, review the summer camp information and contact the team by phone at 618-695-2489 or by email at camp@ondessonk.com. Provide your child’s age, interests, and any concerns so you can review the options together.

References

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