Millions of children spend a significant portion of their summers at camp. The American Camp Association reports that 26 million children enroll in summer camp each year, and many of those youngsters make memories that last a lifetime while building lifelong friendships along the way.

Whether you're looking for enrichment for your child, a way to keep your child occupied and supervised while you work, or a short reprieve from parenting, there's a summer camp out there that's just right for every family.

---

GETTING STARTED IN YOUR SEARCH

Before looking into summer camps, create a list of the criteria you're looking for. Here are some initial things to consider:

• What is your budget for summer camp?

• What is the purpose of sending your child to summer camp?

• Do you want a resident (overnight) or a day camp?

• Are you looking for a short-term (week or two) or summer-long program?

• Do you want a camp that's very structured or one that provides your child lots of freedom and choices?

• What are your child's interests, such as a particular sport, hobby, or other interest?

Once you’ve narrowed down some of the criteria, you can find the American Camp Association (ACA) accredited summer camps by visiting www.acacamps.org. The ACA educates camp owners and directors in health and safety for staff and campers as well as program quality. It then accredits camps that meet the organization's standards.

---

NEXT STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT SUMMER CAMP

Camps have arguably become even more important in recent decades as more and more households have two working parents. Single-parent households also rely on summer camp to keep kids occupied and entertained while school is not in session and Mom or Dad is working. Such situations illustrate how important a summer camp can be and underscore the significance of asking the right questions before enrolling a child in camp.

Once you've selected a few summer camps that meet your primary criteria and that fit your child's interests, share the choices to see what excites your child. Let your child know up front that you still need to thoroughly investigate the camp(s) before making a final decision. But do keep your child's choices in mind to ensure your child gets the most out of summer camp.

In addition to inquiring about hours of operation, insurance and pricing, parents can ask the following questions before enrolling a child in summer camp.

What is the history of the camp?

A camp that has been in business for decades is not necessarily superior to one that opened more recently, but it's still worth asking how long a camp has been around. It might be easier to determine if a given camp is what you're looking for if it's been around awhile. Such camps may have a significant number of Google reviews and may even provide testimonials from past campers and parents. A camp that's been around for a while can also share information regarding its return rate, which indicates the number of youngsters who have come back each summer. A strong return rate can indicate campers enjoy their experiences each summer.

Who is eligible to attend camp?

Some camps restrict enrollment to youngsters within a predetermined age bracket, while others may be exclusive to legal residents of the town where the camp is being held. Eligibility is not only a significant variable in regard to determining who can and cannot attend a given camp; it's also notable because parents may want their children to attend a camp that will feature some familiar faces. Attending camp alongside classmates or neighbors or teammates can calm kids' nerves and make them more excited about going to camp each day in the summer. But camps open to children from other towns also can be beneficial by allowing children to expand their social networks beyond their own towns.

What is the experience of camp staff?

Camp directors and staff members spend a lot of time with campers each summer, so it's important that parents ask who these people are, how they're trained and how much experience they have. No business can avoid employee turnover completely, so parents who hold out for a camp that's had the same employees for decades will likely find themselves with an unhappy non-camper come the start of summer. But questions about turnover rate, training and the counselor selection process are viable questions to ask prior to enrolling a child in a particular camp.

What is the camp itinerary?

Kids might grow bored if camp features the same itinerary each day, and parents might feel such camps are not worth the investment. Ask about the typical camp itinerary, including field trips, daily activities, special events, and entertainment. The more entertaining and fun a camp is, the more likely youngsters are to love spending time there.

Is physical activity part of the camp?

Many students attend academic camps or camps where they learn to play music or further their existing skills. But parents know that physical activity is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and a great way to make the best of the summer sun. When considering a specialty offering like band camp or STEM camp, ask about what role, if any, physical activity plays in a typical day.

How does the camp ensure your child's safety?

Find out what kind of safety training the camp provides its staffers. Also, is there staff on hand at all times that knows CPR? What are the camp's procedures in the event your child becomes ill, has an accident, or there's an emergency?

What are the rules?

Each camp has its own set of rules. So, find out whether your child is allowed to call you. If it's a summer-long residential camp, can parents come and visit? Can your child bring along a cell phone or electronics? Also, how much money should your child bring, and how is your child's money managed?