By Ann & Hobie Woods
1. What is the camp directorʼs experience? Meet and learn about the experience of the director who will be in charge of the camp. Find out how long they have been with the camp and what their experience has been in the recreation and/or education industry.
2. What is the campʼs philosophy in working with children? Ask specifically about how the camp handles competition, awards/recognition, discipline, and how the staff is trained in counseling and leadership skills.
3. Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)? An ACA accredited camp has gone through a review with up to 300 health, safety, staffing, and program quality standards. Accreditation assures parents that the camp is committed to meeting the standards of the industry and in fostering a safe and nurturing environment.
4. What is the staff to camper ratio? Knowing the staff to camper ratio gives you an insight into the supervision a camp offers. The number should include the total number of available staff (counselors, program and administrative staff). ACA recommends the following staff to camper ratios: 1:6 for ages 4 and 5 years, 1:8 for ages 6 to 8 years; 1:10 for ages 9 to 14 years; and 1:12 for ages 15 to 17.
5. Is adult supervision of your child CONSTANT? Some parents assume their will be constant supervision by adult staff members, however this is some- times not the case. Often times, teens or Jr. Counselors are used to super- vise the campers in non-structured periods of the day when there is no or minimal adult staff members present.
6. How is the staff selected? Check the campʼs website for an employment section and review the standards used in selecting staff. Find out if they check applicantsʼ references, submit background checks, and do face - to- face interviews.
7. Do the camp fees cover all the costs? Does the fee include specialty programs such as instruction in horseback riding, swimming, and waterfront activities? What about transportation to and from camp? At some camps, the camp fee is all inclusive.
Ann and Hobie Woods are the Directors of Roughing It Day Camp, the longest accredited day camp in the bay area. They met as summer camp counselors in college and founded Roughing It in 1972. Their own daughters, as well as thousands of children in the Bay Area have grown up through Roughing It. Learn more at www.roughingit.com or email Ann directly with questions: ann@roughingit.com
