If you are starting your summer camp search, you want all your questions answered before making that final camp decision. Here are questions to ask program staff to help you navigate the process.
1. What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
2. What type of activities are offered at the camp?
3. What is the most popular activity at camp?
4. What is a typical day like at camp?
5. How many campers do you have per camp year?
6. How long have you been a camp or summer program?
7. If any, what association is the camp affiliated with?
8. Are you accredited by the American Camp Association?
9. What are your camp values?
10. Where will my child be sleeping?
11. How do you choose the cabin members?
12. What are the qualifications of your staff?
13. What are the criteria for attending camp (age, skills, etc.)?
14. Can my child be in the same camp group with a sibling or friend?
15. How does your staff handle social interactions with campers?
16. If there’s conflict among campers, how does the staff handle it?
17. What is a typical camp weekly menu?
18. Does your camp offer community service opportunities?
19. How does this camp teach kids independence?
20. Does my child need to know how to swim?
21. How much of the camp day is structured activities vs. free time?
22. How do you handle a child who is a first-time camper?
23. What is your smart device/cell phone policy?
24. Do I get a discount if I have two children attending camp?
25. What are the costs per day, week or weeks?
26. What types of scholarships do you offer?
27. How would I pay for your camp (payment plans, in full, etc)?
28. What training do your camp counselors have?
29. Can I speak to a few families who regularly attend your camp?
30. If my child has specific allergies, how is this handled at camp?
31. What medical staff do you have at camp?
32. What accommodations do you have for a child with special needs?
33. What is the protocol if my child gets ill or injured during camp?
34. How does the camp deal with common communicable diseases?
35. What training does the camp staff have if a child
is going through a mental health crisis?
36. How do your evaulate your staff to work at your camp?
37. How can my camper communicate with me during camp?
38. Will my camper go on any field trips?
39. Do you provide transportation?
40. Do you provide before-and-after care?
41. What does a rainy day schedule look like?
42. What are your camp weeks (either day or overnight camp)?
43. Can you show me camp rules or a guidebook?
44. What happens if my camper is unable to attend
due to illness or family emergency?
45. What supplies are provided at camp?
46. What supplies does the campers have to bring?
47. What is your percentage of returning campers?
48. How will the camp groups be structured (by age, skill, etc.)
49. Will there be an evaluation of skills after camp?
(especially for sports, dance, educational skill speciality camps)
50. How does the camp deal with a child who becomes homesick?
