Eric D. Naftulin asked:


Choosing the right summer camp for your child can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming task. Since there’s a seemingly endless variety of choices to consider, matching the ideal camp to your child’s interests, personality, and busy schedule can be daunting. Furthermore, as a parent, you have the responsiblity of ensuring the camp you choose for your child is operated in a safe and appropriate manner for your child’s age and skill levels.

The following is a camp selection checklist for parents to consider when considering summer camp opportunities for their kids:

1. Identify the camp’s program emphasis.

Every camp has a different philosophy and program emphasis. Some camps promote structured group activities, while others give campers more individualized freedom to pick and choose the individual activities that appeal to them. Some camps offer strictly traditional activities, while others may focus exclusively on sports, drama, or surfing. Or, maybe your child would flourish in a competitive camp environment whereas another child would be better off participating in non-competitive camp activities. By knowing your child’s personality, interests, personality traits, and learning style, you can better identify the right camp for you.

2. Confirm that the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.

In order to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association (ACA), camps must comply with up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to camper health, safety, supervision and activity planning and execution which are crucial to a camp’s operation.

3. Ask about the camp director’s background.

To ensure that the camp director is qualified, make sure he or she meets the minimum standards set forth by the ACA. Such standards recommend that camp director holds a bachelor’s degree, has in-depth experience in camp administration, performed in-service training during the last three years, and is at least 25 years old.

4. Camper-to-counselor ratios. To make sure your child is getting the individual attention and supervision he or she needs for his or her age, compare the camp’s counselor-to-camper ratio to ACA standards. For day camps, the general ratios range from 8:1 for 6, 7 and 8 year olds, to 10:1 for 9 to 14 year olds, and 12:1 for campers ages 15 to 17. For sleepaway camps, the general recommended ratio is 6:1 for 7 and 8 year olds, 8:1 for 9 to 14 year olds and 10:1 for campers ages 15 to 17.

(Please note, the above-cited child-to-counselor ratio standards are only ACA’s general, MINIMUM recommendations and may vary depending on various situations and/or conditions. Moreover, there could be additional standards relating to specific programs and/or activities where more supervision may be prudent, if not required. Accordingly, you should use your own judgement and conduct your own research to decide what is appropriate for you and your child.)

5. Inquire about camp staff: Your child’s counselors can make or break a child’s camp experience.

In addition to facilitating camp activities, counselors serve as role models and should be dependable, trustworthy, and show enthusiasm for their job. For safety reasons, counselors should also be CPR and First Aid-Certified and have undergone criminal background checks prior to employment by the camp.

6. Accommodation of special needs.

If your child has special needs due to an allergy or other medical condition, be sure to ask if the camp is equipped to handle these requirements.

7. Find out about how the camp handles discipline.

As in any organization, rules need to be followed and the camp’s disciplinary approach should be fair, reasonable and openly communicated. Positive reinforcement, a sense of fair play and assertive role-modeling are important things to look for. If penalties apply to certain violations, camp staff should apply them fairly, calmly and without unnecessary criticism.

8. Check the camp’s references.

References can provide you with a glimpse of the experiences others have had at a camp, and they are an important way of checking out a camp’s track record and reputation. Before you choose a camp, the camp director should be willing to provide references upon request.

Good luck choosing a camp and have a great summer!

Copyright Eric D. Naftulin and Aloha Beach Camp. All rights reserved.



Debra

julianachants asked:


My family is planning a lot of camping, hiking and local travel to recreation areas this Summer. I am wanting to put together a list of ideas and recipes for some easy fun trail mixes, camping, hiking and travel food that my children can help me prepare.. Snacks and foods that carry easy with little to no mess or a lot of clean up, store easy and won’t melt or go bad fast in the Summer heat… Kid friendly snacks would be great! Thank you in advance.. Have a great Summer!

Jennifer

strbrstlvr asked:


I want to go camping for spring break in early April and try to do some fishing there too. My friends and I will be in Delaware, and we want to take a road trip somewhere at least 10 hours away.

Preferable somewhere a bit warmer than Delaware and preferably somewhere where we can catch fish, camp, have a fire, and do all that fun camping stuff. If alcohol is permitted, that would be highly favorable!

Tyrone

Daniel Green asked:


A camping trip does not always have to adventure-filled and exhilarating. In fact, the perfect camping trip has the right combination of fun-filled activities and relaxing down times. During these down times, it’s good to drink a cup of coffee or just take in the sights at camp. At night, it is also fun to sit around a camp fire and share fun stories. Having folding camping chairs in your site makes resting and relaxing a lot easier and increases the enjoyment you can get from the outdoor activity.

While you can bring just about any type of chair to camp if you really want to, investing on a good camping chair makes more sense. Camping chairs are designed for use outdoors. They are easy to bring along because they can be folded and they are also very durable. Chairs designed for camping and other outdoor activities are usually made of water-resistant and durable materials.

Here are some tips on how to choose the right camping chair:

? Consider the weight of the chair. Folding camping chairs made of durable but light materials are easier to carry around. If you plan on camping in a location that will require you to walk several miles carrying your gear then go for light-weight camping chairs.

? Decide if you want a rocking camping chair or a typical folded camping chair. Choose a chair based on the activities you want to do at camp. If you plan to hike, swim and do other activities and will simply use the chair for eating at camp or for resting then simple deck chairs will do. If you plan on taking your chair when you go fishing then you can choose a chair with a built-in cooler. This type of chair will allow you to bring refreshing drinks on your fishing trip. You can also use the cooler as storage for the fish that you caught. Lounging chairs are the perfect chairs for when you just want to relax around the camp.

? If you intend on spending a lot of time lounging in your chair, choose a chair with cup holders. The cup holder may seem like an insignificant feature but it really enhances the relaxing experience you get from the chair. With your hands free, you can do other things while on your chair. You can go fishing, read a magazine, use binoculars to watch birds and do other enjoyable activities.

? If you often go camping on the beach or near a body of saltwater, choose a chair that is rust-proof and water-proof.

? Choose trusted bands. There is a reason campers prefer certain brands for camping. These brands create the most durable and efficient camping gear in the market. More than the price, durability and ease of use should be your top priorities when choosing folding camping chairs. Sure, you may be spending more money now on a good chair but a good chair can last many years. You don’t want a cheap chair that falls apart when you use it on several trips.



William

Granny B. asked:


I am looking for food and non-food lists to help in packing for camping trips. Thanks for any help. Granny Bee.

Rosa