Types of camps
Day camps - Day camps operate for periods of one to eight weeks, providing opportunities for children to enjoy a camping experience during the day while sleeping at home. This type of camp may be viewed as an introductory stage to camping at a high comfort level.
Residential camps - Residential camps operate for periods of one to eight weeks, offering many different landscapes and experiences. The activities offered, the style of accommodations, and the camp’s philosophy vary with each camp.
Religiously affiliated camps - These camps operate programs as an extension of their community work. In some cases, religious studies form a portion of the program, while in other cases it may simply represent the source of staff commitment and the philosophy of the programs.
Agency sponsored camps - A wide variety of social service and publicly funded organizations maintain a camping program as an extension of the service they offer the community.
Special-needs camps - While most camps can accommodate certain special needs, parents of campers with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional needs are advised to investigate those camps which are designated to serve those particular needs.
Municipality camps - Many municipalities operate a camping program within their recreational program. Typically, these programs are of a day camp nature on sites in the community.
Private camps - The term ‘private’ refers to the ownership of the camp rather than the clientele. The philosophy, staffing, program decisions, and the site development are often closely associated with the owner/operator’s leadership style.
Steps to choosing a perfect residential camp
Discover the Alberta Camping Association. Visit albertacamping.com. Read about the organization which has, as its mandate, the provision of an assurance of quality to the public through its program of accreditation and guidelines for operations.
Complete the ‘Camper’s Worksheet’ with your camper. This will ensure that both you and your camper are satisfied with the camp you choose.
Contact the Camp Office. Ask about session lengths, starting dates, and what is included in the fee. See ‘Questions for the Camp Director’.
Ask for literature. Request to receive camp literature. It will include answers to many questions and supply the necessary application forms. Make sure you understand the registration and cancellation policies.
Check references. If you are uncertain about the camp, you might want to talk to others who have attended.
Measure the camp against the ‘checklist for choosing a camp’. This list will ensure that the camp is in line with the ACA’s commitment to providing a safe and quality camping environment for your child.
Register with the camp of your choice. There should be regular contact from this moment on. You should receive a warm welcome or confirmation package, including confirmation of dates, prices, equipment, cancellation policies, and other pre & post camp information.
Checklist for choosing a residential camp:
Questions parents should ask the camp director:
What is your background in camping? The ACA recommends that the Camp Director have eight to 10 years of camping experience as a staff member, four to five of which should be in supervisory position.
What is your camp’s philosophy? Whether it is canoeing or computers, the activities should be vehicles to the more fundamental purpose of providing a caring community in which your child can grow and develop.
What is your ratio of campers to staff? This ratio varies with age levels, special needs, and type of activity. Confirm that it suits your expectations. What are the ages of your counsellors?
The ACA recommends that counsellors be a minimum age of 17. Ask about training, rate of staff turnover, and experience of senior staff.
What percentage of campers return every year? While every camp is clearly not suited to every person, a significant number of returning campers usually indicates a high level of camper satisfaction.
What provisions are made for campers with special needs? All children have special needs. Determine if the camp is able to address your unique circumstance.
How will my child get to and from camp? Does the camp offer a bus? Are the buses supervised by the camp staff? Is your camp accredited by the ACA? If not, why not?
For more information, visit the Alberta Camping Association’s website at albertacamping.com
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