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Health & Fitness

Summer Camp, Choose Safety

What questions should parents ask when selecting a summer camp?

Thoughts of summer time generally conjure up images of sun-filled days – children splashing about, mastering the jungle gym and collapsing into deep sleep, exhausted by their new found activity of the day.  But, when it comes to finding a summer camp for school aged children or toddlers, those aspirational dreams can be overridden by anxiety.  Many working families are faced with a child care void and will be seeking full-time supervision for their children.  Others will be looking to find a place to enhance a specific skill or interest that their child has demonstrated.  Some may want to let their child explore their independence in an overnight setting.  For the brave, it is a patchwork of all of the above.  Summer is supposed to be a time of freedom, fun and exploration for children and summer camp should present an opportunity for all of these things to happen.   However, often parents unknowingly make the assumption that most camps are operating by safety guidelines to protect their children.  Unfortunately, many in Georgia are not. 

No question, keeping children safe should be top of mind when choosing a camp especially because we know from experience that summer time can hold the biggest risk and highest injury rates.  It stands to reason that the more active children are, the more vulnerable they are to bumps and bruises.  That’s why we believe that parents should be aware that not all camps are licensed child care centers which adhere to state mandated rules for health, safety and supervision. Hundreds of camps across the state operate without any state oversight or accreditation from the American Camping Association.  

So, how can parent’s find out if a camp is licensed or accredited? Simply ask to see their license or accreditation certificate, which is not the same as a business license.  Futhermore, anyone can verify a camp’s licensed status with Bright From the Start, the state’s regulatory agency at www.decal.ga.gov  and to determine whether it is accredited, visit www.acacamps.org.   Last, if the camp you are exploring is not listed on either site, check to see whether it is “exempt” from state oversight at www.decal.ga.gov/ChildCareServices/ExemptDayCampPrograms.  If a camp, falls in to the “exempt” category that means there are no mandatory safety standards and no oversight by any regulatory entity.

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In our view, summer camps should provide parents peace of mind, and that comes with knowing that the following protocols at licensed camps are in place to protect their children.

  • Background checks are required for all staff so that no person with a criminal history is employed
  • A lead teacher or camp counselor must have a Child Development Associates Credential, Technical Certificate of Credit in School Age and Youth Care or an Associate Degree in Early Childhood or Childcare and be at least 18 years of age
  • At least half of the staff is CPR/First Aid trained and at least one trained counselor must be on hand wherever children are present 
  • The maximum counselor/child ratio for children age 6 and older is 1 to 25; ratios for water safety are lower!
  • Meals and snacks must meet USDA nutritional guidelines and children and staff are required to use proper hand washing and sanitary practices
  • Equipment and toys are inspected to be safe, clean and must be free from hazards
  • Bus drivers must be at least 18 years old and camps must use proper safety restraints as mandated by the National Highway Safety and Federal Transit Administrations
  • Licensed programs are subject to unannounced visits and inspections by state inspectors at least two times a year

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