By: “H” Rothenberg Triple C Camp Co-Owner and Director

Day Camps in the United States take on many different looks based on who operates the camp program.

Some examples:

There are health clubs, park districts, YMCA, etc. who operate day camps. There are schools/Universities that operate day camps. There are child care centers that operate day camps, and there are TRADITIONAL DAY CAMPS that have people focusing on the camp all year long. The Traditional Day Camp is the best experience for children as the Directors are focused on camp all year long and truly building a relationship with the families to grow and develop the child. Operating a program to grow and develop children takes very serious work and focus. Many people look at a day camp as a child care opportunity to have the child cared for while the parents are at work. There is an opportunity for so much more. Traditional Day Camps are Child Development Organizations. Camps typically operate during the summer Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Many camps offer an early drop off or a late pick up to accommodate individual family’s schedules.

As a Child Development Organization there MUST be a commitment to raise the whole child. The idea is to learn how to become a better person, a better friend, and a better citizen. When a child learns these skills they can become a better member of the society. Without these skills it is much harder to be a valued part of the community. Schools in the United States are currently focused on the standards of learning testing and do not put emphasis on the “life skills”. Most parents do not know how to or do not have time to focus on child development with their children. This leaves a great opportunity and responsibility for the Traditional Day Camp.

The traditional Day Camp Director focuses on hiring the proper staff. Staff is the key to the success of any program working with children. In addition to hiring the proper staff an excellent day camp must have very good ratios of campers to staff. To grow and develop the children into better people through activities such as sports, arts & crafts, drama, nature, horseback riding, swimming, animal activities, it is helpful for the camp to have about a 5:1 ratio of campers to staff. Each group should have about 15 campers with about 2-3 staff members. Also, an activity specialist at each area of the camp to focus on specific activities. This means that there are 3-4 staff members for 15 children. Excellent ratios and support for the children. If there are activity specialists, then the camp counselor can focus on children while the specialist focuses on the activity. The activities above are just examples. They can be any activities, however it is CRITICAL to have the right people who really care for the growth and development of the children be the group counselors/child development specialists.

Once the staff are hired and facility is prepared, the next step is to have a minimum of one week of training for the staff to come together. The staff must understand the safety expectations and all of the camp management procedures from risk management, to transportation to discipline.

Camp is for the campers. The most important thing at camp is SAFETY, however directly behind it is FUN! Make sure the campers are having fun and have enjoyable activities. This is where the most growth is seen with the activity, and the behavior. At most Traditional Day camps in the United States, the children have swimming every day (Pool or lake). For younger children (5-9 years old) this would include a daily swim lesson and also each day some free play in the swimming pool. As the children get older (10+) it is ok to have a recreational game before the free swim. Proper Life Guarding staff and swim instructors is critical to the safety of the swimming experience.

As for the beginning of the day, once the campers arrive it is nice to have an all camp welcome and morning announcements. This could also include a flag raising ceremony with bugle calls, honor and respect. After the flag, each group goes in their own direction based on a well thought out pre planned schedule. Some groups will go to the sports specialist while another will go to the swimming and some go to ride horses, etc. This activity schedule continues in 35 minute intervals until lunch time around 11:30am. After lunch, many camps offer a relax time where the child can read a book, play a quiet game with a friend, or the staff will read a story. It is important that the staff is present, and also important that the children are not required to sleep, just relax. In the afternoon, more activities will take place. The 35 minute activity time is enough to keep the activity exciting, fun and not lose focus before moving on to the next event.

As the day comes to a close, the camp will gather again for a flag lowering ceremony. Before the flag is lowered, there is an opportunity for the groups to present a song, dance, cheer or skit that they have worked on to share with the rest of the camp. This is very important (as the morning opening) so that there is a sense of community for the children and the staff members.

After the closing ceremony children will be loading buses, be picked up by parents, and be sad that the day is coming to an end. They will also be very tired. It is critical that the staff members keep focused on the children’s well-being and coach them through the end of the day experience to maximize the good feelings and growth that took place during the day. Notes or phone calls home to parents about successes are very appropriate. If there were health or behavior concerns during the day, the camp director should directly call the family to make them aware.

Most Traditional Camps in the U.S. have a minimum of one week sessions for about eight weeks and there are even some that operate one eight week session. The more continuity the children have the more growth that is seen.