Is the camp ACA accredited?
The ACA is the
American Camp Association,
and they have guidelines for
camps to follow. They also
inspect accredited camps. No
camp HAS to be ACA accredited
and some follow the guidelines,
even if they are not accredited.
If a camp loses its
accreditation or has a low
inspection score, this
information is unfortunately
still not available to the
public. Speak out and contact
the ACA through their website.
Does the camp have a written
safety plan?
Ask to see the emergency
procedure plan and any safety
training. Ask about fire exits,
fire extinguishers, first aid
boxes, pool safety equipment,
etc. Do counselors carry
cell-phones, (for off-site trips
or if the camp is spread out)?
What is the counselor/camper
ratio?
Particularly around water or
potentially dangerous
activities, you want to be
comfortable as a
parent/guardian. An 8:1 ratio is
okay for day camps, but this
number should be lower for risky
activities. MAKE SURE junior
staff or trainees are not
counted in those numbers.
How are counselors chosen and
trained?
Are background checks
done on them?
Do they have any
orientation time?
Are they given any CPR or
first aid training?
Is there a minimum age
one can be a counselor?
If they are supervising a
risky activity for instance,
do they get safety training
on that specific activity?
Who drives camp buses/vans/any
vehicles?
Are counselors driving
records checked?
Are counselors given
training on buses/vans/camp
vehicles?
Are children made to wear
seatbelts if over age 8 or
80 lbs?
Are they made to wear
booster seats if under 8 or
80 lbs?
How old are the vehicles
and have they all passed
state inspection?
Are helmets worn by
campers when appropriate,
e.g. rock climbing,
bicycling, riding All
Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s),
Horse Riding, Skateboarding,
Skiing etc?
What is the policy with bullying
issues?
Believe it or not, this
can be an issue at camp and
should be addressed
immediately. Talk with your
child BEFORE camp about
talking with a counselor if
any bullying of any kind
occurs at all. How are
campers/counselors
disciplined if they bully or
intimidate a child?
Who provides medical care?
Is there a nurse
available at any time or all
times? (Residential camps)
Is there a Doctor
available at any time or all
times? (Residential camps)
Are they both fully
qualified and do they have a
valid state license?
What is the travel time
from camp to the nearest
hospital?
Ask to see the medical
log from last year (expect
to see records of cuts,
bruises and scrapes, but
serious injuries,
particularly large numbers,
might be a red flag.)
Does the camp have insurance?
Camps do not have to carry
insurance. For those that do,
and in order to secure coverage,
camps often have to meet
insurance standards that are
more stringent than ACA
requirements.
