Choosing a safe summer program for children
Here's what you should know and ask about before signing up your child for a camp this summer.
The school year will end before you know it, and NOW is the time to make summer plans for kids. Some parents look for a summer program that is educational; others look for a program that builds a special skill; many pick a program with hours that match parents work schedules. Regardless of why a program is chosen, one thing should be certain: that the camp is run in a way to keep children safe.
Let's go through a typical camp day to see some how a camp can ensure a child's physical and emotional comfort and safety.
If the children will be picked up, will there be someone other than the driver to provide supervision? Excited kids can get unruly and distract a driver; an older child assigned to lead songs and keep order may be enough if no staff member is available. If parents drop off the children, are there procedures in place to ensure that the child passes from the parents supervision directly to a staff member? Is there a safe path to travel when the child leaves the car?
Throughout the summer, parents should ask kids questions on these topics. Summer should be a time of relaxed fun for children and parents will be able to relax themselves when they know they have chosen a safe summer program for their children.
Find a checklist to take on your camp tour at www.SexWiseparent.com/resources.
Rosenzweig is also author of The Sex-Wise Parent: The Parents Guide to Protecting Your Child, Strengthening Your Family and Talking to Kids about Sex, Abuse and Bullying. For more information, read her blog and follow @JanetRosenzweig on Twitter.
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