BBB's 8 Tips Can Help Parents Find Rewarding Summer Camps

With summer and the end of school coming up soon, many parents are scrambling to find summer camps for their children. The Better Business Bureau has advice to help parents evaluate camps and find safe, rewarding experiences for their children.

One of the biggest points is to check out the facilities your child will use and ask camp directors for information on how they choose staff. But parents also need to determine whether the camps they choose are appropriate for their child's personality and interests.

Some camps, particularly those organized around a particular sport, may be highly structured and stress developing particular skills. Others may allow children to choose some of their activities.

After the searing heat the St. Louis area experienced last summer, parents also should ask how the camp keeps children comfortable on extremely hot days.

The following eight tips can help parents evaluate camps:

1. Always visit the camp before submitting your deposit. Check its location and view the living, eating and recreational facilities. Ask about safey procedures (particularly for water activities, archery and out-of-camp trips), and assess the quality and commitment of the staff.
2. Ask about fees and payment deadlines. Is your deposit refundable? Are there extra charges for any activities? Are meals and transportation offered?
3. What is the camper return rate? The counselor return rate?
   What is the camp director’s background? How is the staff trained? Are criminal checks made for employees and volunteers? What is the ratio of campers to staff members?
4. Are medical facilities adequate? Is a nurse or doctor on site? What are the procedures for transporting injured or sick children to medical facilities? Are those facilities nearby?
5. What are the safety rules and how are they enforced? Does the camp have appropriate insurance coverage?
6. Are family visits or other communications with campers allowed? How is homesickness handled?
7. Are references from parents of repeat campers available? Ask the parents about their child’s experience and why they recommend the camp.
8. Finally, look for camps that are certified by the American Camp Association. ACA-accredited camps have met up to 300 nationally recognized standards.

A BBB video on choosing camps is available at http://youtu.be/Ct-N7x4U_60.

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