Choosing The Right Camp For Your Kid
By L. C. Peterson, Fri Dec 9th

Camps have long been a rite of passage for children. It's nevertoo early to research productive and fun activities for ourkids. These explorations help develop confidence in our children.

Here is a Top 10 checklist to get started. Find answers to thesequestions by writing, calling, visiting the camps, seekingreferrals, or surfing the camp's website.

1. Director: Does the director seem to care about and understandkids? What are his or her qualifications and experience?

2. Staff: Does the camp have enough staff members to back up thecounselors? What are the staff and instructors' qualifications?Do they support the objectives of the camp? Can the teachersrelate to the students? What training occurs for staff andcounselors before the camp opens? How long is the trainingperiod? Are there pre-camp training opportunities for staff andcounselors during the year?

3. Counselors: What is the camper to counselor ratio? How oldare the counselors? Are there any special qualificationsrequired to work at the camp? Does the camp have a juniorcounselor

or counselor-in-training program?

4. Objectives: What are the objectives of the camp? Are theobjectives carried out in the activities of the camp?

5. Flexibility: Are the camp's programs flexible? If your childhas already had a particular course or activity, is it possiblefor him or her to attend an alternate activity?

6. Balance: Does the camp allow for a balance between learningand fun? How is the camp structured for the hours after classesor activities?

7. References: Do campers who have been there before recommendthe camp? How about parents of campers who have been there? Whatdo they say?

8. Resources: Does the camp have a nurse, EMT, or doctor on-call? Are emergency procedures taught to counselors and staff?

9. Orientation; Do the campers get a chance to know each otherand their counselors a little before the camp moves into fullswing?

10. Accreditation: Is the camp accredited by the AmericanCamping Association or another association?

About the author:L. C. Peterson is a freelance writer and web marketingconsultant. More writer’s tips are athttp://www.salesandtales.com and http:/www.lcpeterson.com.