Selecting a Summer Camp for the Kids You Love – Part 2 Leadership and Camping Philosophy

As I stated in my last post there are four critical areas you want to understand when evaluating a summer camp for the child your love.

The first area you want to know is the camp’s leadership and its camping/programming philosophy.

So let’s start with the questions you should ask about leadership followed by questions to ask about the camp’s programing philosophy.

Leadership:

1. Who is the Executive Director? How long has he or she work for the camp? How long have they been in this position? Have they worked at other camps or in other fields?

   You want to find a seasoned camping professional who has 10 or more years of camping or related experience. Running a safe and effective camp requires experience.

2. Who’s on the board of directors?

   You’re looking for a board of experienced, business, educational, and ministry leaders who can provide the appropriate oversight to the camp.

3. What kind of experience does the other senior leaders of the camp have,  such leaders as program and  facilities directors?

   Once again you’re looking for both a minimum of 5 or more years of experiences in camping and in other related fields.

Camping/Programming Philosophy:

1. What is the camp’s mission? What does the camp promise to provide your kids?

   It’s important to understand the camp’s promised impact on your kids to see if it matches your expectations and desires for a camp experience.

2. What is the programmatic theme? Is it focused on athletics, adventure, classic camp, spiritual focus? Is it high energy or laid back?

   The camp should be able to articulate their programmatic philosophy so you can evaluate it against what’s best for your kid.

And remember the camp you’re researching should be able to clearly and easily articulate answers to all of these questions either on their website, brochures or by talking with camp staff. If this information isn’t readily available then the camp’s not the place you want to send the kids you love.

In my next post we’ll look at the critical area of staffing policies and practices.

Also check out “Why Kids Need Camp”