When discussing summer camp programs with counselors, no questions are off limits.  You are about to trust them with your most precious entity in life—your child—so don't be afraid to ask the really tough questions. These three questions will help you discover what value a summer camp has to offer so you can feel comfortable about your decision.

Question #1

What are the camp's credentials?

Believe it or not, anyone can open a summer camp. While the industry is heavily regulated for licensed and accredited providers, there's no task force inspecting unaccredited providers. That means that illegal operations aren't reported until something goes wrong and that could mean putting a child's life at risk.

That being said, you have nothing to worry about if a camp is accredited by the ACA (American Camp Association) or is licensed to provide childcare by the State Department of Education. These camps are under strict guidelines and regulations making them excellent candidates for summer camp programs.

Question #2

What type of camp is it?

"Summer" Camp isn't the only camp in town. There are also:

• Sports camps
• Educational camps
• Dance camps
• Overnight camps
• Karate camps
• Soccer camps
• And even Sit-Around-and-Do-Nothing camps (yes, they exist)!

Just because a program is labeled as a "Summer Camp," it doesn't mean it's a good fit for your child. It's not just about the quality of care, but also understanding the level of physical, mental and social activity your child will experience.

Ask camp counselors about their program values to understand the principles your child will learn each day. Additionally, ask your child what type of skills and activities he or she wants to learn.

At the end of the day, the most important thing about childcare is that your child is happy at the end of the day.

Question #3

Are there any hidden fees I should know about?

Program costs vary depending on the total number of weeks it runs and its daily operating hours.

Expect to pay more for programs running the entire length of the summer versus only a few weeks. Make sure to ask about daily operating hours in case a program ends at 3pm, for example, and you can't leave work until after 5pm.

It's important to ask about these details because some programs charge additional fees while others include extended hours in their pricing.

Some programs start with a base price and add fees for food, transportation, extra hours, and field trips. Ask your program director to explain all fees before you commit to a summer camp program.

At Kid's Revolution, the goal of our Summer Camp Program is to give children the best experience of their lives! Remember, children only have 13–15 years of care-free summers in their lifetime.

When your child is happy, you're happy, and you should feel confident dropping your child off at summer camp knowing that they'll not only have a great time, but will be able to carry important life lessons into adulthood.