---
title: 'Checklist: Questions to ask when evaluating summer camps'
description: 'Before enrolling your child in a summer camp, find out if it will meet your child’s needs. Use this list of questions to ask the camp about accommodations, staff, and other key information. '
slug: checklist-questions-to-ask-when-evaluating-summer-camps
author: Erica Patino
reviewer: Sheldon H. Horowitz, EdD
published: '2019-10-16T11:43:44.693Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7Kc2kiwoXxoc1pEfytGZWv/da2c8cb16673cb9a0c2d9b221412653b/G124946312.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/checklist-questions-to-ask-when-evaluating-summer-camps
lang: en
---

# Checklist: Questions to ask when evaluating summer camps

Some camps have more experience than others when it comes to kids with learning and thinking differences. If summer camp is a possibility for your child, you’ll want to find out in advance whether a camp will accommodate your child. And, if so, how it plans to meet your child’s needs. 

Here are some questions to consider asking when choosing a summer camp.

## General questions about the camp 

- Is your camp accredited by the American Camp Association? 
- What type of child is successful at this camp? 
- What are your procedures and rules for keeping campers safe and healthy?
- Do you interview campers? Do you take anyone, or are you more selective?
- How many kids attend each year? 
- How many kids leave before camp ends? What are some of the reasons for early departures?
- Can parents observe their child during the camp day?
- Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer at camp?

## Questions about camp staff 

- What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
- How does your staff deal with behavior issues? How are kids disciplined?
- What does your staff do if they see a child being picked on or excluded?
- Who can my child talk to if there’s a problem with a counselor or with another child?
- Is there a nurse or someone else on staff to administer medication if needed? Is this done in a confidential way?
- What kind of training is required for your staff? Are your counselors Red Cross certified?
- Have there ever been any serious accidents at your camp? If so, how did the staff handle this?
- Did you fire any camp counselors last year? If so, why?

## Questions about accommodations

- Do you have experience with campers who have my child’s type of learning and thinking differences?
- What accommodations can I expect the camp to make for my child’s needs?
- If I provide strategies that have helped my child at home or at school, will your staff use them?

## Questions about camp activities 

- Will a child who doesn’t like competitive sports fit in? How about a child who has a lot of energy?
- Is the schedule highly structured, or do kids have a lot of free choice? 
- What is the balance between indoor and outdoor activities? What does a rainy day schedule look like?
- Do campers go on field trips? Where do they go? How are they supervised?

## Questions about references

- Can you put me in touch with parents of kids who like this camp? 
- Can you put me in touch with the parent of a child for whom the camp *wasn’t *a good fit?
- Can you put me in touch with any parents of campers who have learning and thinking differences?

Knowing the range of [options for summer camp](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/summer-camp-types-for-adhd-learning-disabilities) can help you find the right fit for your child.  After selecting a camp, get tips on how to [prepare your child](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/checklist-preparing-your-child-for-sleepaway-camp).

For more summer camp tips, check out our [summer guide](https://www.understood.org/en/topics/undefined).

---

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