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s FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com APRIL 14, 2016 • CAMPS • THE COURIER SUN 33 CAMPS s Questions to ask camp directors BY MARLA COLEMAN When you receive a camp’s brochure, you will invariably have questions for the camp director. 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 is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis? – Each camp has its own method of constructing programs based on its philosophy. Does it complement your own parenting philosophy? What is the camp director’s background? – American Camp Association (ACA) minimum standards recommend directors possess a bachelor’s degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least sixteen weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director. What training do counselors receive? – At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specifi c procedures for er supervision. What is the counselor-to-camper ratio? – ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs. What are the ages of the counselors? – ACA standards recommend that 80 percent or more of the counseling/program staff be at least eighteen years old. Staff must be at least sixteen years old and be at least two years older than the campers with whom they work. What percentage of the counselors returned from last year? – Most camps have from 40-60 percent returning staff. If the rate is lower, fi nd out why. Visit www.CampParents.org, a family resource offering expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. Marla Coleman is the parent liaison at Camp Echo in Burlingham, New York. She is a co-owner of Coleman Family Camps, which includes Camp Echo and Coleman Country Day Camp. Adapted from CAMP Magazine, reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association © 2006 American Camping Association, Inc.


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