10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Choosing a Summer Camp
Choosing a summer camp for your child is an important decision.
One that can shape their confidence, friendships, and sense of adventure for years to come. A great sleepaway camp isn’t just a place to pass time in the summer; it’s an immersive experience where kids learn new skills, try activities outside their comfort zone, discover their independence, and form lifelong connections. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know how to choose a summer camp or what to look for when picking the right one. The key is to find a camp that aligns with your family’s values, supports your child’s personality and interests, and offers the kind of environment where they will truly thrive. It’s also essential to involve your child in the process — encouraging their input helps them feel confident, excited, and emotionally prepared for the experience. To help you make the best choice, here are 10 questions every parent should ask before choosing a summer camp.
1. How does this summer camp ensure both physical and emotional safety?
The first question every parent should ask is simple: Will my child be safe? A strong camp invests in both physical and emotional wellbeing. Ask about health facilities, medical staffing, counselor training, and how they support kids through challenges like bullying or homesickness. At Adirondack Camp, safety is the foundation of everything we do: we provide access to trained healthcare staff and mental health professionals, and many of our staff complete high-level certifications in their relevant activity fields. When campers feel supported and secure, they’re free to try new things, build confidence, and thrive.
2. What is the camp’s overall philosophy, and does it show up in daily life?
A camp’s philosophy isn’t just a slogan—it reflects what the community values most and shapes the way campers learn, connect, and grow. Look for a camp whose values align with your family’s priorities and pay attention to how those beliefs show up in everyday routines, traditions, and staff interactions. At Adirondack Camp, we’re intentionally less focused on competition and more committed to meaningful moments, curiosity, and the wonder of the outdoors. Our core values aren’t simply explained to campers—they’re lived. They hang in our dining hall as daily reminders, and you’ll see them in the way counselors encourage, support, and celebrate campers. When a philosophy is truly woven into camp life, your child comes home more confident, grounded, and empowered.
3. What is the camper-to-counselor ratio, and how does supervision work?
Ratios matter because they determine how closely campers are supported in cabins, during activities, and throughout daily life at camp. Ask how many counselors are present in each living space, who leads activities, and whether campers are supervised during transitions, meals, and free time. Adirondack Camp maintains a 3:1 camper-to-counselor ratio, ensuring every child is known, supported, and never lost in the crowd. We also follow the Rule of Three, meaning there are always at least three people present—either two adults and one camper, or two campers and one adult—so a counselor is never alone with a child. Clear supervision policies like these protect campers, build trust, and create an environment where kids feel safe to explore, grow, and belong.
4. How are staff hired, vetted, and trained before campers arrive?
The people who guide your child are just as important as the activities themselves. Ask how counselors are selected, whether they’re hired as general cabin staff or activity-focused leaders, and what training they receive. Strong camps invest in mentoring skills, emotional support, and safe program leadership. At Adirondack Camp, we bring back trusted specialists year after year in areas like rock climbing, kayaking, and archery, ensuring campers learn from experienced experts who know their craft and how to teach it. Skilled, prepared staff create an environment where your child can grow with confidence.
5. How are daily activities chosen, scheduled, and balanced?
Every camp approaches programming differently, so it’s worth asking how activities are selected and how much choice campers have. Some camps focus on a single specialty—like riding, gymnastics, or theatre—while others offer a broad range of experiences that help kids discover new interests. Ask whether your child can choose their activities, how preferences are taken into account, and what a typical day looks like. At Adirondack Camp, we provide a wide variety of activity areas: a world-class waterfront, an extensive program of land sports and arts, and countless out-of-camp hiking and adventure trips. Campers choose their own activity schedule each week, giving them ownership over their experience while still maintaining balance, structure, and growth.
6. What opportunities are offered for skill progression and personal growth?
The best camps help children grow year after year, offering clear paths from beginner to advanced in areas like sailing, kayaking, climbing. Ask whether the camp has structured programs or milestones that encourage campers to keep improving—not just trying something once and moving on. Skill progression builds confidence, sparks motivation, and gives kids meaningful goals to return to each summer. When campers see themselves getting better, they take pride in their achievements and discover the joy of persistence and personal growth.
7. What traditions or rituals help campers feel connection and belonging?
Ask about the traditions that shape a camp’s culture—whether it’s their color war, songs, or ceremonies. These shared rituals help campers feel grounded and part of something bigger than themselves. Familiar rhythms create stability, connection, and a sense of home. At Adirondack Camp, one of our most cherished traditions is our spirited Blue/White Color War, which has been part of camp life for over a century. Campers are placed on the same team as their family alumni, creating a multigenerational legacy that lasts long after the summer. These traditions build pride, community, and lifelong memories.
8. How does the camp support diversity, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing?
Camps that prioritize empathy, cultural awareness, and emotional support create spaces where every camper feels seen, respected, and safe. Ask whether staff receive training in these areas, and whether the camp has a mental health professional or behavioral specialist on site to support children navigating challenges. It’s also important to understand how the camp handles bullying, exclusion, or difficult group dynamics.
9. How are health services and medications managed on-site?
Ask about the camp’s medical facilities and staffing: Are nurses certified? Is a doctor on call? How far is the nearest hospital? Many camps now use third-party services to prepackage and verify medications before the session begins. At Adirondack Camp, we partner with CampMeds, which provides prepackaged prescriptions. This system helps minimize errors and ensures every camper receives exactly what they need, giving parents peace of mind while campers focus on adventure and growth.
10. How does the camp stay connected with families before, during, and after the summer?
Communication matters—especially if it’s your child’s first time away. Ask how the camp collaborates with parents when kids need support, and how often families are kept updated throughout the season. Is pre-camp information clear and helpful? Are photos, videos, or blog posts shared regularly? How easy is it to reach out if you have concerns, or speak with someone from the leadership team who interacts daily with your child? At Adirondack Camp, we keep families connected with both personalized communication when needed and general updates on each age group and line, as well as daily photos, weekly video highlights, and regular social media updates that bring camp to life, and we maintain those connections long after summer ends. The strongest camps make you feel like part of the community—not just for a season, but for years to come.
Choosing the right camp is about finding a place where your child is seen, challenged, and supported. Adirondack Camp offers the rare chance to watch independence, self-assurance, and responsibility unfold — to see your child return more confident, compassionate, and capable than when they left. And that kind of growth lasts long after summer ends.
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