Spring 2005
S'mores, campfire songs, pillow fights - ah, the sweet memories of summer camp. Registration deadlines are fast approaching for most camps, so if you're considering that time-honored tradition for your child, it's time to shift decision-making into high gear.
Find The Right Camp
Selecting a camp is a big problem for military families because of frequent moves, says Jeff Solomon, Executive Director of the National Camp Association (NCA). He fields scores of inquiries from military families every year through CampQuest, a free online referral service that helps families locate camps based on various search criteria. Advisors also are available by phone (800-966-CAMP).
The American Camp Association (ACA; 765-342-8456), one of the largest camping organizations in the U.S., also operates a free referral service at CampParents.org. CEO Peg Smith says every parent is concerned about security, but online research can help address those concerns.
Bob Kobielush, President of Christian Camping International (CCIUSA; 719-260-9400), agrees. "Parents want to feel safe in sending their children to camp, but military families don't always have local connections to know how good a particular camp may be." He urges parents to contact camps and ask questions. His organization operates a free online search service of religious camps.
Operation Purple camps, run by the National Military Family Association (NMFA; 800-260-0218), are free to children of deployed service members in any service branch, including the Guard and Reserve, around the world. Operation Purple camps help provide the tools military children need to deal with the stress that may result from a parent's deployment, including return and reunion issues.
Ask The Right Questions
Kobielush says two questions are critical to identify "good" camps: What percentage of your staff returns every year, and how long has your director been in position?
"Generally, the higher the number on both questions, the more stable the camp, and the better likelihood you'll find a quality program there," Kobielush says. He also recommends parents ask for referrals.
When Air Force spouse Ruth Odom sent her seven-year-old to a weekend camp two hours away, she admitted, "I was more nervous about it than she was, but she had a wonderful time and will probably go back again." Of course, Odom had checked the camp's reputation well before her daughter left home.
Once you've established the quality of the camp, the next questions should be about supervision, programs, facilities and other issues important to you and your child. Solomon says parents always want to know about camper/counselor ratios (he recommends four campers per counselor, higher for older kids; but Kobielush advises parents to be wary of anything greater than nine-to-one) and how many campers per cabin (ideal is no more than 10, but it depends on the floor plan).
Get The Right Price
Camp costs vary widely, depending on location and activities. Camps located in the northeast U.S. tend to be more expensive, as do high-risk camps such as outdoor adventure and water sports. The one-week overnight camp in CCIUSA's database ranges from $175-$650; NCA's average is $400-$2,000.
But don't let costs deter your plans, advises CCIUSA's Kobielush. "After 9/11, many camps started offering scholarships for military families, especially those with a deployed or injured parent. Camps often don't advertise these scholarships, so parents should always ask if the camp offers military discounts," he suggests.
Operation Purple camps are free to children of a deployed parent. Some CCIUSA camps have begun offering free or discounted programs for entire families so military members can reconnect with their children after deployments.
"A good camp experience is a long-term investment in your child's life," NCA's Solomon adds. Less expensive day camps may be one alternative if overnight camps are too costly, but Solomon believes the benefits of overnight camps far outweigh the costs.
Kobielush agrees: "Camp is a safe environment where kids see others modeling positive behavior. In an overnight weeklong setting, kids begin to adopt new values based on that positive experience. Their behavior change is directly proportionate to the time they spend in that environment."
That's why military spouse Mary Baumgarten sent her 11-year old daughter to camp last summer. "You have to let children make choices. Camp is a good, secure place to do that because there are lots of people there to help them make the right choices."
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Attorney and military spouse Sarah J. Schmidt writes frequently for Military Money and other business publications. She nervously anticipates her son's first overnight camp experience this summer.