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Once you have answered these questions, visit ACA's Camp Database to find a camp just right for your child. Parents may call ACA National Headquarters 800-428-CAMP for further information about specific camps or for the ACA local office in their region.

Kids' Q&A

Kids Ask The Director

What's the best thing of all at camp?
That's a tough one! Everything! We think you'll have so much to like at camp that you won't be able to decide what's best of all. Maybe it's the new friends you'll make; or the swimming; or the mural you might paint; or your counselor; or the sports you'll play and learn; or the drama production you might star in!

At camp, what will I do all day?
You'll get to do so much -- things like swimming, tennis, basketball, arts and crafts, softball or baseball, cooking, ceramics, gymnastics, soccer, dancing, football... the list goes on and on. There are also special events and entertainment.

Who will help me have fun at camp? How do they know how to care for me?
Group or bunk counselors are selected because they love working with kids. They are trained before camp begins to help you have a good time, make new friends, and enjoy a variety of activities. Their job is to help you have fun, be safe, and know your limits.

Do I get to choose what I want to do?
Some camps schedule the entire day so you have an opportunity to try all the different things at camp. At many camps, you'll get to select one or even more activities every day. You can ask about how the day is planned for you.

Who will be my friends?
You will make a lot of new friends at camp. Some campers know each other from past summers or from school, but many come to camp in order to meet new friends. Camp counselors will help you make friends the very first day you arrive at camp. It's nice to have winter friends and summer friends, other kids with whom you share special experiences.

What's so great about camp?
Camp is a very special place where grownups help kids feel good about themselves. They encourage you to try new things and teach you new skills. And you make lots of new friends, because at camp you learn how to be a good friend. At camp, everyone is listened to and respected. You get to make choices on your own, but you always feel safe. Camp is like a little community, where everyone's opinion is heard, and kids work and play together. There's just no other place like camp, because camp is built just for kids!

Why shouldn't I just stay home and do what I want?
You might think it will be more fun to just stay home and do nothing, but believe us, camp is nonstop fun! There are such a variety of activities that you never get bored. And you always have friends; everyone's always home at camp! It's not like school at all. Even though there may be a schedule to follow, you are doing great things with great people.

What would a day at camp be like?
Camp is filled with different kinds of activities. If you're going to day camp, the fun begins as soon as the bus picks you up! If you're thinking about a resident camp, you'll probably wake up, along with the other kids in your bunk, get dressed, and go to breakfast. You will spend the day doing activities you really like. Of course you'll stop for lunch - maybe a barbecue or a picnic. Day campers will go home on their buses in the late afternoon, and look forward to returning to camp the next day. Resident campers will keep on going right through the evening with evening activities, which include fun and exciting programs. Bedtime at camp is a time for campers to share their best moments of the day with their bunkmates and counselors.

Will I get to choose activities?
The amount of choice you have will depend upon the actual camp you and your family select. At most camps, there is at least some choice. Sometimes you make selections for yourself and sometimes the group or bunk decides together what they want to do. Usually, when you are younger, there are fewer choices because it's good to try new things so you can learn what you like and what you don't. As you get older, you are ready to make more choices and focus on areas that are of special interest to you.

What are some of the activities?
It's almost impossible to name every activity at every camp. Traditional camp activities include: arts and crafts, archery, baseball, basketball, canoeing, ceramics, computers, confidence course, cooking, dance, dramatics, handball, hockey, fine arts, fishing, Frisbee, football, gymnastics, hiking, horseback riding, kickball, lacrosse, miniature golf, music, nature, petting zoo, ping pong, playgrounds, relay races, rocketry, ropes course, rollerblading, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, woodworking. The list goes on and on!

What if I'm not good at sports?
At camp, there are trained, caring counselors to help you learn new skills. Camp staff will encourage you, and you will succeed at your level. You are never measured at anyone else's performance ability level. Camp is not all sports, but a combination of athletics, the arts and hobbies.

What about the Counselors?
This is one of the best parts of camp! Counselors are chosen because they love kids and respect them and listen to them. It's their job to make sure that you are having fun, making friends, doing lots of different activities, and that you are safe. They spend a lot of time before camp begins in learning to do all these things for campers. And they love to have fun, too!

What if I have a problem?
There are lots of people at camp, besides your counselors, to help take care of you, depending on what you need. There is a nurse or a doctor if you don't feel well and a special place, sometimes called an Infirmary, to rest until you are better. You can count on the grownups that are at camp to help you with any problem you may have.

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Packing Tips

Packing Tips For Resident Camps

Bedding
Select easily laundered bedding that is appropriate for the climate at your camp. Articles to include are sleeping bags, sheets and pillowcases, blankets, and pillows.

Towels and Toiletries
Towels should not be the family's best, since they'll be used for swimming and other waterfront activities as well as for showers. A small bag or plastic bucket will help campers carry and keep track of essentials such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, and brush. At some camps, campers walk to separate facilities to shower.

Clothes and Laundry
The frequency of laundry day at camp affects how much clothing to pack. Generally, sessions under two weeks in length do not include laundry services. Always send along an extra pillowcase or laundry bag for dirty clothing.

Most camps supply lists of recommended clothing and some include required uniforms. In general, camp gear should be comfortable and durable clothing suitable for active days at camp. · Shorts, T-shirts, sweater/jacket and jeans · Long pants for leg protection on hikes and horseback rides · Comfortable, durable shoes and sneakers · A hat · A raincoat or poncho

Equipment Flashlight with extra batteries
Camera and film
Canteen or water bottle
Insect repellent, sunscreen and lip balm
Pre-addressed, pre-stamped postcards or envelopes

Medication
Send medication in original bottles, along with dosage instructions, to the camp nurse or health care facility. Your medical release form should list all medications.

Don't Pack
· Radios, CD players, stereos
· Televisions or portable video games
· Cellular phones or pagers
· Food (candy, snacks)
· Palm Pilots
· Hunting knives
· Fireworks of any kind
· Expensive clothing or jewelry

Clearly mark your child's name on everything sent to camp with permanent marker or nametapes.
Use common sense and think about the activities that will take place and the climate at camp. Don't hesitate to call the camp if you have questions.

Other Things To Consider:

Insurance
The camp may provide camper health and accident insurance. Sometimes parents are asked to provide information on family health and accident coverage. It's always a good idea to ask if there are additional charges for insurance.

Spending Money
Many camps have a canteen service and may recommend your child have a certain amount of spending money for that purpose. Because children might lose track of the money, camps sometimes collect it from each child at the beginning of camp and put it in an account. As items are purchased, the costs are deducted from the account. At the end of the session, money remaining in the account is returned to the camper.

Additional Costs
Camp T-shirts, group photos, or special outings may be available. Usually camps include these fees on your bill.

Transportation
Bus transportation, especially at day camps, may be included in the camp fee. At some camps, it is an added expense. Resident camps may offer bus service from centralized locations or provide pick-up service at airports or train stations.

Physical Examinations
All ACA-accredited camps require either a health history or physical examination of campers prior to camp. Schedule this exam appointment in the spring just prior to camp.

Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation status of any camp at any time. This may be accomplished through ACA's Web site at www.ACAcamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.

Accredited by the American Camp Association

What does it mean?

The American Camp Association is the advocate for the accredited-camp experience. ACA Standards are continually revised and updated to reflect the needs of camps, the public, and the changing body of laws and regulations. The main purpose of the ACA-accreditation program is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. The second purpose of ACA accreditation is to assist the public in selecting camps that meet industry-accepted and government-recognized standards.

Although many state and federal laws and regulations address basic sanitation and food service concerns, the ACA Standards go a step further in addressing the specific areas of programming, personnel, health care, and management practices. Separate standards are applied to activities such as aquatics, horseback riding, adventure challenge activities, and travel and trip programs.

ACA accreditation is the best evidence parents have of a camp's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children. This voluntary accreditation assures parents that camp practices have been measured against national standards and go a step beyond a state's basic licensing requirements. Accreditation is based on a commitment by the camp to best practices.

ACA standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp industry. The ACA accreditation program has a 60 plus-year history and is continually evaluated and updated to reflect current best practice in camps. ACA collaborates with experts from many fields such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to be sure required practices are current and sound. ACA standards are revised based on research in the public, legal, youth development, and camp arenas.

No environment is risk free. However, ACA camps voluntarily go through a rigorous risk management process to prevent illness or injury to campers-and to have solid crisis plans if an emergency does occur. Camp provides a supervised, positive environment with controlled boundaries to help children grow.

At least once every three years, an outside team of trained professionals observe the camp in session to verify compliance with applicable standards. The ACA has developed up to 290 standards that cover the various aspects of camp operations in eight specific areas.

• Site/Food Service: Fire protection, maintenance, sleeping areas, bathing/toilet facilities, food service areas and practices
• Transportation: Driver and vehicle requirements, traffic control, transportation safety
• Health Care: Staff and facility requirements, medication management, required health information and recordkeeping
• Operational Management: Safety and security regulations, staff emergency training, crisis communications, insurance, planning
• Human Resources: Staff qualifications, training, ratios, supervision and behavior management guidelines
• Program: Goals for camper development, orientation and safety policies for general and specialized programs, including aquatics, challenge courses, trips and horseback riding

Few fields combine such a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, as does organized camping. Camp directors are required to have expertise in very technical fields such as nutrition, food service, facility design and maintenance, risk management, marketing, personnel and business management. Being a camp professional also necessitates the blending of the principles of social group work, recreation, child development, physical education, health and wellness, psychology, and education. Camping provides the unique opportunity to integrate these disciplines by working with people in a stimulating outdoor setting.

Questions To Ask Camp Directors

When you receive a camp's brochure, you will invariably have questions for the camp director. From that first phone call or letter, you begin developing an impression of what a particular camp is like and how it is run. A camp may be described in nothing less than glowing terms in its brochure. The setting may be absolutely breathtaking. Activities may run the gamut from racquetball to modern dance. In the end, however, it's the human equation of how those activities are operated and conducted that determines the quality of the camp program. Get to know the camp director as a person through telephone conversations, correspondence, and a personal visit. Have the director describe the camp's philosophy and how the staff implements it.

What is the camp's philosophy and program emphasis?

Each camp has its own method of constructing programs based on its philosophy. Does it complement your own parenting philosophy? Many camps actively promote competition and healthy rivalry among camp teams, as reflected in team sports. For many campers this is pure fun. Some parents feel that learning to be competitive at an early age teaches essential survival skills. However, other parents and educators are in favor of cooperative learning. Knowing your child's personality and style of learning is valuable in selecting the right camp.

What is the camp director's background?

ACA minimum standards recommend onsite directors have at least two prior seasons of administrative experience in organized camp, have completed in-service training each year, and be at least 25 years of age  before assuming the responsibilities of director.

What training do counselors receive?

At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?

ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs. Generally, the ratios at resident camps range from: One staff member for every five campers ages 4 and 5; one staff member for every six campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every eight campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 10 campers ages 15 to 17. At day camps the ratios range from: one staff member for every six campers ages 4 and 5; eight campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17. ACA standards also include the need to train staff to minimize 1:1 camper/staff interactions when out of sight of others.

What are the ages of the counselors?

ACA standards recommend that 80 percent or more of the counseling/program staff be at least 18 years old. Staff must be at least 16 years old and be at least two years older than the campers with whom they work. In special needs camps, 100 percent of the counseling/program staff must be at least 18 years old.

What are desired qualities in camp staff?

The same qualities of trustworthiness and dependability sought by any employer are valued commodities in camp employees. Also, the ability to adapt to a variety of situations, empathy for and ability to work with camp clientele, a strong self-image and an outgoing personality are important characteristics for camp staff.

What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?

Most camps have from 40-60 percent returning staff. If the rate is lower, find out why.

How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?

This is where the director's philosophy comes through loud and clear. Positive reinforcement, assertive role modeling and a sense of fair play are generally regarded as key components of camp counseling and leadership. Rules are necessary in any organization and the disciplinary approach taken should be reasonable and well communicated. If penalties are involved for violations, they should be applied quickly, fairly, calmly, and without undue criticism to campers.

How does the camp handle special needs?

If your child has special requirements, ask the camp director about needed provisions and facilities. Is there a nurse on staff? Do they have a designated place to store insulin or allergy medicine? Are special foods available for campers with restricted diets? Every question and each answer is important.

How does the camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues?

Again, the camp's philosophy on helping children adjust is important. Be sure you are comfortable with the camp's guidelines on parent/child contact.

What about references?

This is generally one of the best ways to check a camp's reputation and service record. Directors should be happy to provide references.

Does the American Camp Association accredit the camp?

It is only logical that members of your family attend an ACA-accredited camp. Accreditation visitors ask the questions -- 300 of them -- regarding essential health, safety, and program quality issues important to a camp's overall operation. This does not guarantee a risk-free environment, but it's some of the best evidence parents have of a camp's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children. (ACA Accreditation)

• Safety Tips
• Preparing For Camp
• Homesickness

Camp is not just recreation and fun. It is more than teaching skills, such as archery or swimming. It is about understanding the beauty of discovery that can lead to emotional growth and maturation. It is the expansion of one's world, a sharpening of one's vision that invites the acquisition of lifelong lessons.

Camp professionals are not just teachers or counselors; they are coaches and mentors. They influence, advocate, shape, love, and protect. And it is true, both young and old do learn lessons from the camp experience. However, those lessons come after experiences that are real, relevant, and personal.

The way in which parents select a camp should be based on intrinsic values rather than external facilities that a camp offers. Camp pioneer, Ruth Isserman is the former owner of Camp Chickagami, who at ninety-seven still serves as a strong, vital supporter of ACA and camp. She noted, "It is the development of a child as a person that is equally as important as academics." Further, "it's the richness of making their own entertainment" and the most important skills we contribute are listening and observing. "We are building better people for a better world," she stated. A shared vision with ACA.."enriching lives and changing the world."

"Who will care when I'm not there?" It's every parent's question when they leave their children in the hands of strangers. Who will take the time to appreciate basic child development, as well as the unique qualities of their personalities? Who will ensure that my children have fun and, at the same time, learn important life lessons? Who will help my children understand how they can work as a team, contributing and succeeding? Who will help my children understand the importance of a community and the responsibilities that lie within? Who will keep my children safe and guard their tender feelings while they are acting invincible? Who will care when I'm not there?

The answer to these questions is the camp professional. They offer children the opportunity to explore, discover, and learn about the best things life has to offer. They are willing to laugh, talk and cry with children, creating an understanding of social bonding. These are the people who are willing to care when I am not there.

The camp experience is a win-win for everyone. Parents win because their children grow and learn. Children win because they have fun and collect lifelong friends and memories. Society wins because the camp experience helps make healthy, productive adults. Camp professionals win because they have made a positive difference in a child's life.

Updated on March 4, 2022.

• Parents should inquire into whether the camp participates in income-eligible subsidy programs, for instance through Title XX.
• For day camps:
  • A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses for qualified dependents that are necessary to allow parents to work, look for work, or to attend school full time. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information. 
  • In certain circumstances, day care expenses, including transportation by a care provider, may be considered dependent care services and paid with pre-tax dollars. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information.
  • Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents (up to $3,000 for one dependent). The amount of the credit is based on your adjusted gross income and applies only to your federal taxes. This applies to qualifying day camp expenses. Visit the FSA Feds Web site for more information.

While still a debate in many communities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 14 percent of schools operate on a year-round calendar. Camps are extending the season and diversifying their services to accommodate this trend. The 1999 ACA accreditation standards program changed from accrediting only the summer program to accrediting camps' year-round operation. New partnerships with school systems are emerging as a way to help children retain learning over the summer. With the increase in home schooling, parents are looking for opportunities for their children to gain socialization skills, and camp is the perfect solution.

Family Camp Impacts Report — In 2010, ACA conducted a study of the impacts of family camp experiences in Virginia and West Virginia in cooperation with Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA.  The purpose of the study was to examine families’ motivations for participating in family camp, explore perceived benefits of attending family camp and measure changes in family functioning as a result of involvement in family camp.

• Children’s Mental Health and Camp: What is Our Role?
• Mental Health Resources: Tips for Camps
• American Camp Association and the White House Recognize Innovative New Hampshire Program That Benefits Camps and Families

Social-Emotional Learning and Camp

• Social and Emotional Learning at Camp
• Summer Camp: A Unique Environment for Social and Emotional Learning
• Happy Campers: How Camp Relationships Promote Social and Emotional Learning

Camp-School Partnerships

• New Camp-School Partnership Provides Children with Summer Camp Opportunity
• Teaching Together: Gary Krahn Discusses the Need for Camp-School Partnerships
• Camp-School Partnerships Guide

Time Away from Technology

• Maybe Not Inevitable: A Case for Technology-Free Summer Camp
• “It’s the Best Part of Camp”: Camper Views on Smartphone Policies
• Cyberbullying: Camp’s Role in Helping Girls Disengage from an Online World

Camps on Campus

• Camps on Campus Kindred Group
• Camps on Campus – Safeguarding Youth Programming in Higher Education Settings

Reprint permission for any of these articles can be obtained by contacting Kaley Amonett, ACA's Editorial Communications Manager. Please contact ACA before utilizing content in your publication. 

As a nonprofit, charitable organization, the American Camp Association provides editorials free of charge.

The following articles are in MS Word format.

• Top Ten Things You Never Knew About Camp
• The Natural Gifts of Camp
• The Long Lasting Benefits of Camp 
• Keeping Camp Costs Budget-Friendly
• Camp Unplugged: Loosening the Digital Umbilical Cord
• Ready, Set, Camp! — Finding the Right Camp for Your Child
• The Boy in the Boat — Life Lessons Learned at Camp
• Why Day Camp? 
• First Time at Camp? — Talking with Your Child
• Top Ten Reasons to Give the Gift of Camp
• Being Away from Home Builds Self-Esteem, Independence
• Camp Defines and Develops Character
• This Season's Ultimate Gift: Camp
• Beating the "End of Camp" Blues
• Take Camp Skills to School
• Need a Mentor? Go to Camp! 
• The Magic of Camp
• Prepare Your Child. . .and Yourself for Camp!

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