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er and parent communication when a kid is away from home, communication is vital for both the camper and the parent. does the camp allow emails and care packages? do they post pictures of campers
on a closed site? before choosing a camp, be sure to find out how you will be able to stay in contact with your child and how often you may contact them. susan hooks, director of riverview camp for girls, shares their method of keeping parents involved: ?riverview uploads hundreds of photos each day for parents to enjoy while their children are at camp. we also offer an email system for parents to communicate to campers and for campers to respond.? homesickness time away can be tricky, especially for a first-timer. how does the camp handle homesickness for your camper? since homesickness is a common occurrence at camp, staff
members should be fully prepared to help manage the situation by keeping the homesick camper busy, writing letters home, and talking with a staff member. camp security and safety of course your child ?s safety is of utmost concern. ?e american camp association (aca) encourages camps to continuously review and tighten security measures to ensure that campers remain safe at all times. ?e aca suggests that each camp research its individual needs and liabilities by designing a protocol for handling visitors at the camp, assessing the need for fencing, lights, and telephone for emergency calls, assessing the quality of security and control present in the facility, and coordinating with local support systems. it?s a good idea to look for aca accreditation which ranges from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. aca accreditation standards require a staff screening system, which may include criminal background checks where permitted by law. when talking to a camp director as you consider enrolling your child, ask what the screening process for that camp includes. you should also choose a camp with a nearly flawless safety record and appropriate camper to staff ratio: (one staff : # of overnight campers) ? 5 years and younger 1: 5 ? 6-8 years 1:6 ? 9-14 years 1:8 ? 15-18 years 1:10 (aca) keep cost in mind ?e cost of camp can be expensive and is a definite factor in choosing the right camp. if you are concerned about finances, find a camp that offers scholarships. scholarships or camperships, as they are often called in the camping world, can be acquired 70 brparents.com | march 2017
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