Making the Most of a Camp Fair

By Cathy Ashby

The American Camping Association estimates that there are over 8,500 summer camps in the United States. If there are so many to choose from, why is it so difficult to select the right program for your child? One reason is: they all look fabulous on paper. Every summer program produces a good-looking brochure. Some even offer high quality videos for prospective campers. These promotional materials are filled with words like "intensive" and "enriching;" they describe "life skills" and "life-long friendships" - all in an effort to make their programs seem attractive. But how can you tell what the program, its staff and its participants are really like?

Ideally, you should visit prospective camps during a summer session and talk with the program directors and staff. Take a tour; observe campers during activities and quiet times. Sample the camp cuisine. Ask questions and form an educated and, most importantly, personal impression of the program.

Reality check: Most parents don't have time to visit multiple summer programs all over the state (or country) and most summer camp directors are a little too busy - during the summer - to offer extensive guided tours.

And So the Camp Fair Was Born

At a Camp Fair or Summer Expo, parents can meet with representatives from multiple summer programs without the hassle of traveling to, or even calling, multiple program locations. They can ask questions, pick up written materials and talk face-to-face with someone who knows what the camp is all about. For busy parents, a well-organized and diverse Camp Fair can be an effective and time-saving tool which helps a family explore summer options and, ultimately, come to a sound decision about summer camp.

It is a good idea to spend a few minutes preparing for your Camp Fair visit. Ask yourself, and your children, the following questions:

• How long should the program be?
• Should it be a day program or an overnight program?
• What type of program interests you (academic, sports, adventure, outdoor, etc.)?
• What age groups are your children comfortable with? Coed or single sex?
• How much will your family budget allow for summer programming?
• How far away should the camp be?

Armed with the answers to these questions, you will have a better idea of the basic type of program your children are looking for. That will narrow your search, and it will lower the number of people you need to speak with at the Camp Fair. If possible, you should contact the host of the Camp Fair to request a list of the exhibitors registered to attend. Such a list is particularly helpful in advance, as it will serve as a check-list of your must-see exhibitors, and it will help you determine what kinds of questions you'll ask the camp representatives when you speak with them. You'll want to know some details beyond the basics like number of campers, cost and length of session. Here's a list to get you started:

• What are the program's mission and philosophy?
• Is the program accredited and by whom? If it is not, you may want to ask why the camp directors feel accreditation is not important.
• What is the ratio of staff to campers? 
• How is the staff trained? 
• What are their credentials? How many of them used to be campers?
• What is the background of the program director? How long has he or she been with the program?
• How many campers return for multiple summers?
• Can you provide the name(s) of former campers who might be willing to talk with us about the program?
• What are the program's standards for discipline?
• What is the ratio of activity or class time to down time?
• What kind of medical treatment/facility does the program have access to?
• Does the program have a promotional video?

Hopefully, your children will be interested in attending the Camp Fair with you. They may think of additional questions, different from the ones you will be asking. Encourage them to speak with the camp representatives and to form their own opinions about the camp's personality.

Most Camp Fairs and Expos offer plenty of opportunities to register for door prizes. If you easily tire of writing your name and address on registration slips, bring a supply of pre-addressed mailing labels or a return address stamp. You'll be registered to win faster than you can say, "You need not be present to win."

With a little luck, you'll leave the Camp Fair knowing exactly which programs match your family's needs, and your child will be ready to register for camp. Now comes the hard part … the packing!

Cathy Ashby is editor of Carolina Parent.

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