Summer is here, the kids are anxious and bored, and the parents are ready for a break. What better solution than finding a wonderful sleepover camp for your child to join? However, to ensure your child’s safety, there are 5 tough questions to ask camp management before writing a check or helping your child pack their bags.
1) What is your selection process for your camp counselors?
Any reputable camp will do background checks and drug tests on their counselors before hiring them for a summer job. They should check criminal records and check employment records.
2) How do you train your counselors?
At a minimum, counselors must have 20 hours of face-to-face training. They must be taught how to deal with conflict management to avoid the temptation to harass or bully their children. In addition, they must have basic training to deal with medical emergencies, including training in first aid and CPR. Ideally, they should have their Red Cross certification.
3) What trips do you have planned from the camp and what are the qualifications of the staff running them?
Camps often have excursions that go deep into the camp ground or even off the camp grounds. These activities can be extraordinarily meaningful to children, but they also increase the likelihood of a crisis. Ask if the counselor in charge of the trip is qualified to RTE, or “respond to emergency situations.” If your child has special medical needs, such as asthma or diabetes treatment, consider having him sit on more extreme excursions, such as night hikes deep in the woods.
4) Does the camp have emergency contingencies for all potentially dangerous situations?
This can also be awkward to ask, but the camp should have contingencies for common natural disasters in the area: earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, etc. They must also fully disclose any potentially harmful wild animals and plants in the area.
5) When were you accredited by the American Camp Association?
The last question is by no means going to cover all your bases, but it does provide a certain level of protection for your child. The ACA sets national standards for best practices for health, safety, and camp operations. Any campground that hasn’t bothered to get ACA accreditation may be at risk of not considering the potential pitfalls listed above.
In conclusion, sleepovers can be a tremendously positive experience for your son or daughter. You should consider giving them the opportunity to spend this time with new friends and nature. It is also a good mental break for you during summer or winter vacations. However, you need to do your due diligence to make sure the camp covers all your bases to keep your child safe.