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Frequently Asked Questions

• How can the CampWizard help me find the right camp for my child?
• Why should I choose an ACA accredited camp?
• How do I choose the right summer camp?
• What are some important questions to ask a camp director?
• When should I begin my search for summer camp?


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The Mark of Distinction
How can the CampWizard help me find the right camp for my child?
Unlike nearly all other camp search sites, which list thousands of summer programs, the CampWizard includes only ACA accredited camps. By registering with the "wizard" you can use our sophisticated data base to search by various criteria: day, resident, session length, fee, coed, boys, girls, and then view an attractive, full page listing with photographs and a link to the camp's web site.

Furthermore, the site enables you to create and view a favorite camps list, while still having the opportunity to contact our camp placement professionals, Renee Flax and Robin Wenczl, at any time during your search. Nothing replaces the personalized attention that we offer our families!


Why should I choose an ACA accredited camp?
The American Camp Association ("ACA") is the only national organization which establishes uniform standards for reviewing camps on a continual basis. Accreditation is a voluntary process by which camps are evaluated every three years on nearly 300 standards affecting health and safety, camp management, personnel, programming, and facilities. ACA accreditation assures you of the best kind of quality control in the areas of camping most important to the welfare of your child.

The ACA accreditation logo indicates that a camp's management is committed to operating in agreement with the highest standards established for camps and is willing to voluntarily invite trained camp professionals to verify compliance with standards. Click Here to learn more about ACA-NY.


How do I choose the right summer camp?
When beginning the camp selection process, consider your child's interests. It's important to know a child's personality and identify what camp programs will benefit him or her most. With a variety of programs and activities, summer camp offers fun and meaningful adventures to match a child's interests and maturity level.

Be certain to include your child in the decision-making process. Together with your child, explore the camp options and examine the materials the camps provide. In addition, many camps have web sites that include photos, maps or virtual tours of the camp facility, sample daily schedules and menus, and information about the directors and key staff. As children become better acquainted with the camp experience and more involved in the decision-making process, they will have less anxiety about going away to camp.

When you receive a camp's brochure, you will invariably have questions for the camp director. From that first phone call or letter, you begin developing an impression of what a particular camp is like and how it is run. A camp may be described in nothing less than glowing terms in its brochure. The setting may be absolutely breathtaking. Activities may run the gamut from racquetball to modern dance. In the end, however, it's the human equation of how those activities are operated and conducted that determines the quality of the camp program. Get to know the camp director as a person through telephone conversations, correspondence, and a personal visit. Have the director describe the camp's philosophy and how the staff implements it.


What are some important questions to ask a camp director?
We urge parents not to assume that just because a camp is sponsored by an organization with which you are familiar or your child's friend went to this camp that it will be to your liking. Asking questions about the camp will help you find the right match. Here are some suggested questions and factors to evaluate in considering responses...
  • What is the camp's philosophy?
    Directors should be able to explain the goal of camp life and what kind of children have successful experiences at the camp.

  • What activities are offered?

    How much instruction is provided during each activity period? How long are the activity periods? How many electives do the children get and what kind of help do they receive in choosing them?

  • What trips are offered to the children?

    What transportation arrangements are made for the campers?

  • How does the camp integrate a new camper into the group?

    What does the camp do to make the new camper feel at home?

  • How do you screen staff, including return staff?

    Look for an immediate sensitivity from the director for your concern for a safe atmosphere for your child. Directors should be able to explain if they use criminal background checks and WHAT ELSE they do - such as face-to-face interviews, character references with non-relatives, work history checks.

  • What training does staff receive in the prevention of child abuse?
    Directors should be able to easily explain their discipline policies, policies about staff being alone with a single child, policies related to training staff in the definition of and criminal penalties for abuse, and camp policies concerning suspension or termination related to allegations or proof of abuse. What training does staff receive in recognizing and reporting abuse or other situations that give rise to concern? Are children informed of persons to whom they can report behavior that makes them uncomfortable?

  • What supervision does staff receive in the performance of their duties?

    Do supervisors of staff rotate through cabins and activities unannounced? Are counselors' on-the-job skills observed, and is in-service training provided?

  • What methods do you use to make your staff sensitive to the needs and concerns of children?

    Look for a director who verbalizes specific training for staff in: understanding children's needs; training to immediately stop abusive, hazing, or damaging behaviors; and, relationships between children. Seek directors who provide training and supervision for staff to use language and activities that do not belittle children or groups of people, that develop an atmosphere of caring.

  • Who is directly responsible for my child's supervision and when is this supervision in effect?
  • How many children are in the bunk or group with how many counselors?
  • What is the experience and background of the staff?
     At least 80% of staff should be at least 18 years of age. Those younger than 18 should always be at least two years older than youth they supervise. Ask if younger staff (sometimes called CIT's or counselors-in-training) are ever left in charge of campers by themselves. It is recommended there always be an adult (at least age 18) present and supervising.

  • What are the policies on parent-camper communication while in camp?

    Under what circumstances will the camp director call you? Will you be called if your child needs to stay in the camp health center overnight or go to town to see a doctor? Will you be called if your child seems unhappy? Will you be called if your child is running a fever? Can you send and receive e-mails from your child? Can you call and talk to the child during his/her time at camp?

    Know that many camps understand the important developmental tasks of childhood - the task of learning to live apart from one's parents for a short time when under good supervision. They may encourage that there not be direct contact during an initial period of adjustment. There isn't a single right answer. It is important that you feel comfortable with the director's responses and assurances that you will be contacted if the situation appropriately requires it.

  • Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association?
    If you are concerned because a camp in which you are interested is not accredited ask the owner or director for the reason. Use the answer and your own research to help you decide whether to enroll your child.

    Ask for references from the camp and call those parents!
     Ask other parents about the experiences of their children at the camp. Find out if the children seemed comfortable in talking about their experiences with staff and campers. Ask if they are going back the next summer. Ask if the parent was pleased with the communication received from the camp. Ask what communication was received. Ask these parents for the names of other parents and children who have attended the camp.

When should I begin my search for summer camp?
It's never too early to start choosing your child's camp. Some camps have very high return rates and fill up soon after camp ends. Many parents like to visit prospective camps during the prior summer so they can see the camp in action. Some parents will ask a camp director to visit them in their home. Also, if you are seeking financial assistance from an agency camp, make sure you are aware of all deadlines and know that the sooner your application is in, the better chance you have of receiving a "campership."