The Best Summer Camp in America (2) - Consider the Camp Philosophy

The Best Summer Camp in America

Consider the Camp Philosophy
This is the second article in a series of ten on “Choosing the Best Summer Camp in America”.

When Choosing a Summer Camp, Consider the Camp’s Philosophy
Every summer camp has a philosophy, and each is different from other camps.  Some summer camps are strictly for fun and entertainment and others have a definite educational goal.  Some camps use competition as a motivator and others de-emphasize competition in their program.  Ten excellent camps may have ten completely different approaches.  As you look for the “best summer camp” for your son or daughter, ask camps for their mission statement and then look at their literature and camp video to see how the mission of the camp is woven into the overall camp philosophy.

Questions to Ask about Sumer Camp Priorities
Here are some questions to ask summer camps that will reveal the priorities of the camp and help you decide if the program is a “good fit” for your child:

• Can you tell me a little bit about your program?
• What do you feel are the strengths of your camp?
• What is the outlook on competition at your camp?
• How is the day structured and how much flexibility is there in activity choices?
• Without mentioning your religion, ask if there is a religious focus at the camp.
• If the camp has a specific focus such as soccer or competitive swimming- What do the campers do when they aren’t in the main activity?  How are they supervised in the evening?
• Tell the camp staff about your child and your goals for him/her and then ask how the camp can help your child meet those goals.
• What are your priorities when hiring staff?  Tell me about the age of your staff members & the training your staff receives.

Most quality camps realize that they are the “right” camp for some children, but won’t necessarily be the “best fit” for all children.  By sharing your thoughts and being attentive to the philosophy of a camp, you should be able to narrow down the choices to a few camps that will be a good fit for your child.

How to Choose a Camp
Follow these ten considerations and you will find the best camp for your child. It may not be the same camp that I would choose for my son or that your neighbor would choose for their daughter, but it will be the best camp for your child:

1.     Family decision
2.     Consider the camp philosophy
3.     Camp program
4.     Cost
5.     Location
6.     Camp size
7.     Camp staff
8.     Standards & accreditation
9.     References
10.     Facility