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Choosing "The Right" Summer Camp For Your Child
By Brian Manhart, Director, Camp Kiowa

I have walked up to the doorsteps of many, many potential camp family’s homes, only to find the ENTIRE family peering through the curtains at me in anticipation. Generally, the kids look as though they have their bags packed are ready to come with me that day (even in November). Mom and dad, on the other hand, have this look of utter despair, as they are full of questions, concern, wonder, hesitation, excitement, worry, pride, and the list goes on.

One of the most difficult, and sometimes stressful, decisions a parent if faced with each year is if, where, and when to send their child to summer camp. With an enormous number of camps to choose from, all ranging in size, price, type, and location, where do parents start in finding just the right summer camp for their child? I hope that the following list of questions and comments may provide some guidance in choosing the right place for your child.

Who? What? When? Where? and How?

(1) WHO is making the decisions?

I encourage every one of our new camp families, to allow me to come to their home for a short while prior to their child’s summer session. I want them to get to understand me, both personally and professionally. As one of our camper’s parents wrote, “Brian, at another camp meeting, the owner said very little, gave the kids quarters for Dave & Busters arcade games, and that was pretty much it.” Camp professionals owe this time and energy to their camp families. Generally speaking, if you know the director’s value system and level of integrity, you’ll understand the type of people they are hiring, as the apples don’t fall far from the tree.

(2) WHAT is their mission statement?

On what basis is every decision made? Does the camp emphasize competition, relationships, spirituality, fun, learning, or a combination of any of these? What do they want their campers to walk away with at the end of the summer? Every organization needs to have a specific mission and vision, and summer camps are no different.

(3) WHEN and length of each session?

Camps will range in length from a portion of one day to 8 weeks long. How long do you feel your child is ready to be away…and still leave camp ready to go back next summer? How long are you ready for your child to be away this summer? Many times the primary focus lies only on the child’s needs. They will enjoy their time at camp to the fullest if you allow them to feel that you are in favor of this decision as well.

(4) WHERE is the camp located?

This is a question that needs to be asked primarily for you and child’s psychological wellbeing. Realistically, the chances of you seeing your child while at camp are minimal. When they are at camp, how is it going to “feel?” Is everyone more confident if they are just up the road a few minutes, or half way around the world? You may be looking at two equally qualified camps for your child, but if one of you is not prepared to handle the psychological load brought on through distance, it may not allow your child to have the quality of camp experience they deserve.

(5) HOW do they handle staff hiring, safety, and parent communication?

What process do they go through in hiring quality staff for their camp? A family member of mine, recently told me about her experience while applying for a teaching position. While handing a list of references to human resources, their response was, “Thanks, we probably won’t even check them, but I guess their good to have.” Your camp director should be spending a large portion of their time and energy hiring qualified, mature staff for your son or daughter. Also, how do they handle emergency situations, and what safety procedures and personnel do they have in place? And, how do they handle parent communication from the director’s perspective and from the child’s perspective? Can I write letters or emails to my child? If I call the camp and leave a message, how long will it be before I get my call returned?

Have clarity about the type of experience you want your child to have at camp. Once you have this clarity, many of the other questions will be answered…allowing you and your child to enjoy the benefit of their summer camp experience so much more.

Brian and his wife, Jennifer, are the active directors with Camp Kiowa (www.campkiowa.com), an overnight, enrichment summer camp located in Denton, Texas.