If you are looking for summer camps in Winston Salem, NC and the surrounding area then you have come to the right place. Here you will find the areas premiere listing of Winston Salem summer camps along with tons of information, tips and resources related to summer camp. Our website is designed to provide you with the information you need to find the best option for your child.

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Picking out a summer camp during the winter always feels a little odd. However, many of them are very popular and therefore fill up faster than you might expect - frequently by springtime. Having a couple of months to search for information about Winston Salem summer camps, get hold of their directors or perhaps organize an excursion makes the whole process more pleasant and also much less stressful.

With so many options available, the main problem is finding the right one for your own child. Specialists urge mothers and fathers and youngsters to make choices about Winston Salem summer camp together.

There are numerous critical questions you should ask, and both parent and child need to be very confident with any decision that's made. If children have a part in the process, they are surely likely to have a much better experience.

With that in mind, here is a help guide to Winston Salem summer camp programs, and the questions to ask when trying to select one for your child.

Types of Winston Salem Summer Camps

Think about your son or daughter's particular needs and ask what he or she wants from a Winston Salem summer camp experience. See whether your son or daughter is prepared for any sleep-away program are better suited to day camp (some residential Winston Salem camps allow children as young as 7). Talk with your child about the following types of Winston Salem camps:

• Conventional camps provide a wide range of activities, from athletics to crafts to confidence building skills.
• Specialty summer camps are made to satisfy and address a child's particular interest, such as drama, music or athletics.
• Travel camps take participants on hikes, bikes, horse back or even canoe rides in recreational areas or some other outdoor locations; some which are particularly popular among teens tour spots overseas.
• Preschool summer camps are day programs for kids ages 3 to 5. Due to the fact kids this age require more supervision, these will often have a small staff-to-camper ratio.
• Special needs camps are specifically designed to meet the requirements of children and young people with physical, learning or mental disabilities. A few Winston Salem camps combine kids with and without special needs for those or part of the day, providing extra assistance to the kids with disabilities. Other Winston Salem summer camps concentrate on youngsters with a specific disability or disorder.

To learn more you might also enjoy reading Types of Winston Salem Summer Camps

Visiting Summer Camps and...

After you have advisable of what you as well as your child want from the Winston Salem summer camp, research what's out there. A lot of Winston Salem summer camps have an active parents group, but neighbors will also be valuable resources. Request camp booklets, go to open houses, arrange to speak with the director and have a tour of their facilities and grounds.

The American Camping Association (ACA) advises that both parent and child visit a Winston Salem camp when it is in session, despite the fact that that could require planning for a year ahead of time. You will get a good look at how the Winston Salem summer camp operates, and the interaction between the staff and kids. If you are not able to visit, talking to families whose children have gone to the Winston Salem camp previously may be beneficial. Some Winston Salem summer camps might even provide you with the names of parents to contact.

Questions to Ask About Summer Camps

These questions will help you find out more about the Winston Salem summer camp's staff, facilities and programs:

• What is the background and connection with the director? Was the director once a camper or counselor at the Winston Salem camp? Just how long has she or he been director?
• Do you know the criteria for hiring staff? Ask about the staff's average age, experiences and knowledge of the Winston Salem camp. Ask whether and how counselors along with other staff are screened for criminal records and other history (this often varies by state).
• What's the ratio of staff to campers? Are personnel ever alone with a child for just about any specific camp activities? The American Camping Association (ACA) accreditation requires ratios that vary depending on the age of the campers. Generally, these range from one employee for every six campers ages 7 and 8, one for each eight campers ages 9 to 14, and something for each 10 campers ages 15 to 17. Day camp ratios vary from one staff member for each eight campers ages Six to eight, one for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14, and something for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17. The ratios are considerably less for children with special needs, including a one-to-one ratio for kids who require constant aid and supervision.
• At a specialty Winston Salem summer camp, what level of expertise does the staff have within the specialty? For example, a music camp must have professional music teachers instructing campers.
• What will it cost? What is the tuition? Are there any other expenses? Is educational funding available? Will a visit outside the camp cost extra? Is there a refund policy?
• Do you know the condition and safety of the equipment and their facilities? The camp site ought to be free from hazards, for example swamps, unprotected cliffs and dangerous water areas. The waterfront ought to be roped off in separate sections for beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmers. Does the camp ground provide all the necessary equipment, and is it in good condition? For security and safety generally, inquire about the Winston Salem summer camp's policies - from rules about swimming to the way the campsite is monitored during the night.
• How's medical care handled? Can there be an onsite nurse or nearby doctor available? Where is the closest hospital located? Does the Winston Salem summer camp staff know CPR and first-aid?
• What's the their philosophy? The Winston Salem summer camp must have clear, expressed goals and a program made to meet those goals.
• It is possible to variety of activities planned? Ask for an average schedule. What activities are planned for rainy days, and also at night?
• What's the pace during the day? Are there free periods for rest and downtime?
• What is the age range of the campers? Will your child function as the youngest or oldest camper in a group? Can your son or daughter be gone to live in another group? If your child is going to Winston Salem camp having a friend, do they really maintain the same group or bunk?
• What type of food is served? Do kids possess a choice of items at each meal? Is good nutrition emphasized? How are children's food allergies accommodated? Are snacks provided between meals?

To learn more you might also enjoy reading questions to ask before Selecting Winston Salem Summer Camps

Picking a Day Summer Camp

• What are the camps hours? Many Winston Salem camps offer extended hours for working parents, both before and after camp. Question activities during this time.
• Does the Winston Salem camp provide transportation? Ask about costs, whether vans or buses have seat belts and the experience of the drivers.
• Is lunch provided? If that's the case, will it cost extra? Can the Winston Salem camp cater to food allergies? If children have to bring their very own meals, could they be refrigerated until lunch time? Does the Winston Salem summer camp supply snacks?

Picking an Overnight Camp

• How available is the director? Does your son or daughter have any trouble getting to see the camp director? Does the director have any limitations about parents calling to check on their kids and/or any difficulties that they might be having?
• Is there someone responsible for the campers all times during the day? Make sure that your child's whereabouts are monitored by someone in charge. Learn how counselors handle problems at camp - like conflicts with other campers and homesickness.
• Are the living quarters comfortable, clean and sanitary? Are there bathroom facilities there and is there electricity available in the living quarters? Determine your son or daughter's required level of comfort (no AC, no electricity, etc.). Will your kids be more happy sleeping inside in a bunk or outside sleeping in a tent?

Other articles of interest include the following:

• Families and Winston Salem Summer Camp
• Preparing for Summer Camp in Winston Salem