Top 3 Questions to ask Summer Day Camp Directors

Although it's still cold outside, summer camps are right around the corner! Day Camps in Atlanta are a multi-million dollar industry and parents can easily spend $3,000-4,000 per child on summer programs in 2018! With experience directing Day Camps in non-profit, higher ed and tech ed sectors, I help parents make informed and intentional decisions to maximize their summer camp investment.

As you begin planning your summer, here are 3 questions to ask Day Camp Directors. These are not exhaustive but asking these questions will give you an initial insight into whether a particular camp will be a right fit for your student and your goals.

(1) Who are your staff and how are they trained?

Day Camps operate with a variety of staffing models. Some employ experienced Lead Teachers that are supported by high school and college assistants. Others employ students almost exclusively as their front line staff with an experienced Director who oversees all operations. It is critical to understand who will be supervising your children and how much training they have in youth development and risk management.

Follow Up Q's: Are camp staff high school or college students? Do they hire full time teachers with extensive youth development experience as their Lead Staff? What topics are covered in staff training? How much training is required of staff? What happens if one of your Lead Staff is absent?

(2) What are your restroom procedures?

Parents will often ask broad questions such as "Is your camp safe?" Every Camp Director will say "Yes." It's important to ask specific questions about actual areas of risk. If you ask what a camp's restroom policies are and the director does not have a good answer, that is a red flag. Camps should have a policy similar to the "Rule of 3" in which students are never allowed to go anywhere alone or in pairs. There should always be a 3rd person and that person should ideally be a staff member.

Follow-up Q's: How many students are allowed in the restroom at once? Do teachers escort students to restrooms? Are students from multiple camps (and multiple age ranges) allowed to go to the restroom at the same time? How do you ensure unauthorized people are not in the restrooms when students enter?

(3) How do you measure your camp's outcomes?

How does a camp know that a program achieves what it promises? This is a critical question that is often overlooked or never asked. If it is a Sports Camp, ask what skills the students will learn and how growth will be evaluated. If it is a Science or Arts Camp, inquire about the standards for the student's final projects. If it is a General Day Camp, learn how social development and the acquisition of new skills is evaluated. Many camps will use student and staff surveys and a few (especially grant-based programs) may use more sophisticated metrics.

Follow-Up Q's: How will I know if my child is on track during the week? Can you provide me with a sample of the curriculum? What will this camp do on Thursday afternoon (a way to learn if the camp has a detailed plan)?

Mark Shivers holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and offers Summer Camp Consulting services to help Atlanta parents design an intentional and outcome-driven summer.