Summer Day Camp - Guidelines for Parents
|
Parents and caregivers can use the following guidelines to assess the safety of the camp, and ensure your child has a secure and safe summer camp experience.
|
- Is the camp accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA)? The ACA accreditation helps to ensure health, safety, program, and camp operation. If not accredited then make sure they practice health and safety policies, and information below.
- How does the day camp hire counselors? It should have a hiring process including a biographical background check (age verification), criminal record background clearance, driving record review, and prior employment history.
- How are counselors prepared for injury prevention and emergency protocol? The day camp should have a protocol policy to address this. Counselors should have current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate and/or trained in first aid/Basic Life Support. Additionally have first aid kits including Epi-pens (epinephrine) with training on signs or symptoms of life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
- If water-related activities are part of camp, ask about supervision during activity? If children are around bodies of water such as a lake, beach, or swimming pools, counselors must be trained as water safety instructors and know how to assess the ability of each camper. Also, campers must be required to use the “Buddy system”, be required to pass a swim test before participating in water-related activities and wear appropriate personal floatation devices (PFD)-lifejackets when on boats and kayaks, for example.
- Review the day camp’s program and be aware of any out-of-camp activity schedule. Know each activity to make sure you allow your child to participate. In addition, check if any out-of-camp field trips. If so, ask they must have a) a trip leader qualified in First Aid training and CPR; b) the counselor-in-charge to be over a certain age (usually 25); c) approval of parental permission; d) communication devices for counselors; f) use of a buddy system; and e) a lost-camper protocol that is to be followed. Again, if water-related requiring passing a swim test and use of appropriate personal floatation devices (PFD's) - lifejackets.
- Are campers grouped by age for activities? It is best to have campers grouped by age. This helps to improve learning ability by developmental age.
- What are the hours? Usually 9am-3pm or half day.
- Is there extended care, before and after camp? Usually 8-9am and 3-5pm.
- Is lunch included or children bring lunch? Most require the child to bring a lunch.
- Are parent visits encouraged? Parents should be allowed at any time!
|
|
Parents and caregivers, please:
|
