Guest Author - Marie Stroughter

My almost-eight-year-old is going to camp next week for the first time. Though my son's pediatric certified diabetes educator volunteers on staff, it was a good reminder for me to go back to my corporate roots and do the research I used to do for other parents in my pre-motherhood life!

For many years I managed a program that helped parents choose child care options for their children, including camps. Frequently I was asked, "yes, but what is the "best" center/camp/program?" My answer was, and still is, it depends on your child, and you are the expert.

That may seem like a cop-out, but here is the rationale - as each child is different from one another, so is each child care program. One child may need an academic focus; others need work on social skills. Some children thrive on structure; others need flexibility.

Many parents feel that if the program is expensive and has a good reputation, it is "the best." Cost is not always an indicator of quality. And, as discussed above, just because a program has a good reputation, its particular philosophy may not be the one best suited to the needs of your child as an individual.

Here are some questions, guidelines and resources to help you make the best choice for your child:

What is your child's personality type and learning style? What areas does your child excel in; and what areas need help? Write down the answers to these questions and use them as the basis for your search criteria.

Is the camp accredited? Camp accreditation is critical. The American Camping Association (ACA) at http://www.acacamps.org has an extensive list of the rigorous standards camps must meet in order to be accredited. Not all camps are automatically accredited! Accreditation is voluntary and has a cost attached to it, so camps pursuing accreditation show a higher level of commitment to safety and quality. The ACA website has a search function, so you can search for an accredited camp. Various special needs are offered as one of the search criterion, should that apply to your situation. Additionally, accredited camps mandate a physician or nurse be on duty at all times for resident camps.

What is the staff turnover ratio? Do camp staff return year after year? Happy, satisfied, quality staff are the key to camp success. The quality of life experienced by the camper is directly linked to the quality of life for the caregiver. High turnover is an indicator of a problem. Children need consistency, and frequent turnover is the antithesis of consistency. Additionally, frequent turnover can create problems with a child's ability to trust their caregivers (including parents).

What are the qualifications of the director and staff? Accredited programs have guidelines addressing staff qualifications. But if a camp is not accredited, parents must determine the qualifications of staff. What pre-camp training is required?

Have the staff been cleared to work with children? Do they have the necessary fingerprint, criminal and child abuse checks required by law for individuals working with kids?

What is the camp philosophy? What is the focus of the camp (academic, cultural, etc.)?

How are discipline issues handled?

If your child takes any type of medication or has special/medical needs: How are medications, and dosings handled? Who does them? What is that person's medical background, if any? What happens in the case of a medical emergency? Again, accredited camps have specific guidelines for this.

Ask for references! Get references from parents, and if you can get them, from staff. Be sure to check them, and know the source. References can be faked! If a program seems offended or reluctant to offer them, that should raise a red flag. Find out why! Some camps try to protect the privacy of their families and staff. This is a good thing! So offer your name and contact information, and ask that they contact you. Then verify the information of the person who contacts you. Once you have spoken to someone, usually the guard is down as they realize you are on the level.

Contact your local Resource and Referral (R&R) organization at http://www.childcareaware.org. Their services are completely free. Get all the information on the program that you can, and ask them where you can get complaint information. Then be sure to call and find out if there have been any complaints! R&R's often have workshops, tip sheets, and other printed resources to help you make informed child care choices. Additionally, some of the larger corporations offer "Enhanced Referrals" to their employees as a benefit. Contact your HR or EAP department to see if your company is one of them.

Ask friends and others in your circle of acquaintances for camp recommendations. If your child has special needs, be sure to ask your child's pediatrician or therapist. Often they have excellent information, and can put you into contact with other parents for references!

Go with your gut feeling! Parents have good instincts...go with them!