10 questions to ask before choosing educational summer camps for kids

Available at nearly every price point, educational summer camps are a fantastic avenue for preventing summer slide. Plenty of local organizations (the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, local parks and recreation, zoos, museums) offer programs that support summer learning, but how can you know which one is best suited for your child?

While parents will obviously have to consider cost and convenience when choosing educational summer camps for kids, we thought they might also benefit from a checklist of questions they should ask before signing up.

10 questions to ask before choosing educational summer camps for kids

• Does the program offer a balanced curriculum that includes reading, math, cultural enrichment, and recreation?
• What is the student-to-staff ratio? Will kids have the opportunity to work one-on-one with staff members?
• Does the program have a mission?
• How are the days and weeks organized?
• Will my child have an opportunity to choose some of his/her activities?
• Does the program assess my child’s learning or track his or her progress?
• How have students benefitted from the program in the past? Has it positively impacted their academic achievement?
• What are the qualifications of the staff? What kind of training do they receive?
• What will my child eat?
• Is parent involvement encouraged? Am I able to stop by during my lunch hour?
• Does the program offer scholarships, grants or financial aid?

If you are looking for more ideas on how to keep your kids sharp this summer, check out a few of our recent blogs:Use Travel Journals to Help Prevent Summer Slide and 10 Summer Reading Activities for Struggling Readers.