Straight Talk: Help for parents choosing summer camps

Better Business Bureau serving Canton Region and Greater West Virginia offer tips and advice for consumers to avoid fraudulent practices.

Camps are once again looking like a good option for childcare and entertainment over the long, hot summer. Now that many pandemic restrictions have been lifted, there are more camps available for caregivers looking to have their youngsters spend the summer being active and engaged.

In the United States, the American Camping Association (find.acacamps.org) accredits camps based on accountability, credibility, and commitment. The YMCA of the USA (YMCA.ORG) offers camps through local YMCAs across the U.S.

Tips to find the right summer camp:

• Check for accreditation. Regardless of pandemic-related issues, the safest way to ensure your child’s safety is to send them to a trustworthy camp. ACA accredited camps must meet the 32 national summer camp standards, and BBB Accreditation requires the organization to meet eight BBB Standards for Trust. Search for camps in the ACA and find camps near you in the BBB Directory(BBB.ORG) to check for BBB Accreditation.

• Know required safety standards. Individual states will provide health and safety guidelines for summer camps, following CDC recommendations. These protocols may include monitoring the health of staff and campers, limiting visitor access to campgrounds, adapting meal distribution, and providing sanitation products to staff and campers.

• Use references. Ask if they have a list of references or past campers you can contact. You may also want to consider asking trusted friends or family their recommendations for summer camps. Reviews and complaint histories can also be found on the camp’s business profile at BBB.org.

• Assess medical resources. Camps should have resources for treating sick and injured campers. Some children need daily medication; ask about the camp’s medical facilities and how those resources can accommodate your child's needs.

• Review contracts and fees. As always, you should review contracts before you sign them. Find out the total cost and if a deposit is required. See which activities or services require additional fees. You should also check for details regarding refunds. If that information is not outlined in the contract, ask a camp employee.

Find a summer camp near you at BBB.org. For more news, tips, and scam alerts from BBB, visit BBB.org/us/news. 

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Straight Talk: Help for parents choosing summer camps