Some Good Questions to Ask Camp Directors
Embarking on a summer camp experience is an important decision for both parents and children. For prospective parents at our multicultural summer camp for girls-only and boys-only in Illinois, we encourage them to get as comfortable as possible with their decision beforehand. For some, that means scouring web sites; for others, that means talking with parents who have previously had their kids attend the camp; for others, it means discussing with the camp director what the camp is all about.
For parents in the latter group, they should ask good questions to see whether the specific camp they’re contemplating is a good fit for their child development philosophy. Psychologist Michael Thompson has a good post—highlighted below—discussing good questions to ask a Camp Director….and what you should listen for.
He says: “…it’s important to ask questions that reveal how the camp provides a safe, accepting and nurturing environment. Yes, you need to ask the typical questions about background checks, staff hiring and supervision and program design, but the key is to discover more about the camp’s culture, the intentionality of program design, and the passion of the camp directors. So, ditch those questions about ratios (directors can recite those numbers like a well-rehearsed camp lip-synch routine.) Instead, throw them a few curve balls to discover more about their camp’s personality and culture.
1. Camp traditions and special events are key elements to a camp’s culture, so ask the director: “What is your camp’s most important tradition or special event?” This little gem will reveal a lot about what’s valued at camp. If it is a special campfire, then that tells you that building community is important. If there is a special award or token given for specific skills, it lets you know that individual character or skill development is likely a priority. If it’s a Counselor Hunt, it reveals that fun is highly valued.
2. After looking at a camp’s website, you might find some camp activities a bit unnerving. After all, you’re about to send your son or daughter to a far-off land to be cared for by college kids. Guess what? Those college kids know more than you think they do, and the camp directors know even more. They are a trustworthy bunch who are exceptionally good at what they do. But, you still need to poke around and confront the elephant in the room. If you’re nervous about a camp’s whitewater rafting trip, try asking “Tell me how you prepare the campers for the rafting trip.” and “Who leads the rafting trips?” What you want to hear is that both campers and staff are trained prior to the trip and that the leaders have specific training and experience on the water. By the way, training is the easy part. Experience is often more valuable.
3. If you really want to see who’s intentional about their programming, try this question: “What’s the one thing you would change about your camp?” Now, don’t be concerned about that silence you hear on the other end of the phone. Why? Well, camp directors are at once dreamers and pragmatists. Most have grand plans and amazing wish-lists, but they often have limited resources (both in personnel and finances). So, listen carefully to their answer. If they focus on program improvements, bravo! If they focus on facility improvements, also bravo as long as they have a vision of how it improves the camper experience. No camp is perfect and there certainly won’t be a perfect answer to this one. In fact, directors aren’t asked this question much. Listen for an answer that demonstrates thoughtful program evaluation.
4. Want to know more about the kinds of counselors working at camp? Try asking “Tell me about the best counselor you’ve ever worked with.” Listen carefully to the “why” after the director names his favorite. If the director applauds a counselor’s teaching skill, then the camp likely appreciates skill development. If the director mentions what a great listener the counselor was, the camp likely values a nurturing atmosphere. Of course, the director may describe an all-arounder, which suggests that counselors will wear many hats at that camp. Make no mistake, a camp is a reflection of its director, so understanding what the director values will be a big clue into the camp’s culture. Oh, and why not ask about the crummy counselors while you’re at it? Try “Tell me about a counselor that didn’t meet your expectations (or was fired.)” This might make the director squirm a bit, but once again you’ll likely get a glimpse into the director’s values.
5. Most camps are eager to welcome campers from a variety of backgrounds. It’s worth asking, though, “Tell me about your typical camp family.” It’s illuminating to hear about the camp families through the director’s eyes. Though meeting new friends from around the world is a big benefit of camp, you’ll want more than a geography lesson. If, after hearing more about the families, you still aren’t sure if your child will be accepted, be direct and ask. What you’ll typically discover is that camps welcome families from all walks of life. More importantly, campers will be accepted for who they are and will become, not for who their parents are.”