Questions to ask before choosing a summer camp for kids with special needs

February 22, 8:36 PMPittsburgh Family ExaminerLucinda Wiebe

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2. What is the daily schedule? Ask to see the schedule and look for a balance of free time and activities. There should be a mix of large group and small group activities and some free time for kids to choose something of special interest. Too much free time can make kids bored, too little can make them frustrated.

3. What is the ratio of adults to kids? It is typical to find a ratio of 1:12 for school aged children. Licensing regulations determine this number depending upon the age of the children. But if the camp is specifically for children with special needs the ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3.

4. What meals are provided and how is meal time supervised? If meals and snacks are provided, ask for a copy of the menu so you can determine if your child will eat the types of foods they serve. You will also want to know how they handle supervision of kids who eat quickly and want to go play before the others are done. 

5. If there is a pool, what are the rules for swimming?   Of course you want to know if a certified lifeguard will be on duty.  Also  find out the policy about application of sunscreen (will staff assist?). How private is the changing area? Will they allow pool toys? Goggles? Some programs will not allow anything that goes in the pool to be made of latex.

6. If this is an outdoor camp, what is the plan for rainy days or extreme heat? This can be one of the most challenging situations for camps, because the kids are going to have limited physical space for activities.   The noise level and number of conflicts increases with every passing minute! Ask where the kids will go and what the plans are for activities on these days.

7. How will medications be administered? The best practice is to have parents provide a bottle with a prescription on it and to fill out a form that indicates the name of the medication, when and how much to give, and how it should be stored. Staff should sign when it has been given. Ask how they keep the medications secure during the day and who is assigned to administer them.

8. Will they allow an aid to attend with your child?  You should have this conversation at the first phone call.  Most camps are happy to have the extra help, but be careful how they make use of your child’s aid. They should not press that person into service with other children if staffing is low, and they should include your child in all activities, not presuming the aid functions as private activity coordinator.

9. How well equipped are they for emergencies? Do they have an emergency plan that is published to parents? Do they carry a cell phone so you can reach them at any time in case of your own emergency or to get help if a child is injured on a nature walk? 

For more information about child care issues visit The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children at www.pghaeyc.org.

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