How we pick camps

Process

We pick camps that match family values by turning broad priorities into clear numeric criteria. Then we rank non-negotiables and request written policies and hard data. We ask for staff-to-camper ratios, background-check completion rates, medical staffing levels, and incident counts. Shortlist camps that meet those essentials. Use the article’s email-ready checklist, take facility tours, talk with alumni, and build a weighted comparison matrix. That’ll give apples-to-apples comparisons of safety, programming, cost, and logistics.

Key Takeaways

Checklist highlights

Turn values into measurable requests: ask for numeric answers (for example, hours outdoors, % of staff CPR-certified, frequency of religious activities).
Request written policies and hard metrics: staff-to-camper ratios by age, background-check completion rates, medical coverage specifics, and incident rates per 1,000 camper-days.
View vague answers as red flags: unclear medical policies, inconsistent ratios, one-off DEI statements, or unverifiable outcome claims. Don’t proceed without clarity.
Build a spreadsheet and weighted rubric: include categories like safety, values fit, cost, communication, and logistics; score camps to produce comparable rankings.
Verify policies and logistics: confirm net cost, refund and transportation policies, and parent-communication practices. Visit facilities or speak with alumni before committing.

Why values-aligned camp choices matter — quick facts and what to prioritize

About 10–15 million campers attend camps each year, and there are roughly 12,000–13,000 day and overnight camps in the U.S., according to the American Camp Association. Those numbers show families face real choice. We, at the young explorers club, know that picking a camp that matches family values cuts stress and boosts long-term benefits for kids.

Match camps to values by treating the search like a short checklist. First, rank non-negotiables. Then shortlist camps that meet those essentials before comparing extras. Ask camps direct questions and demand clear answers. Request written policies on safety, sample daily schedules, staff training documentation, and refund/aid policies. Watch for specifics rather than slogans.

Red flags to watch for:

Vague medical policies — unclear procedures for medications or emergency response.
Inconsistent staff ratios — numbers that don’t match stated supervision claims.
One-off diversity statements without documented training or implementation plans.
Unverifiable outcome promises — programs that promise results but can’t show time allotments or curricula.

Camps that can show daily schedules, training logs, and measurable outcomes usually deliver what they promise. When cultural or faith alignment matters, look for transparent descriptions of activities and whether participation is mandatory or optional. For families interested in immersion and cultural learning, see our page on cultural immersion for examples of program structure and outcomes.

Top 6 family priorities to match camps against

Safety & medical coverage — Verify staff-to-camper ratios, background checks, and whether medical staff are onsite or on call. Ask how the camp manages medications, allergies, and emergency evacuation plans.
Child development outcomes — Check how much daily programming time goes to social skills, STEM, arts, and sports. Request sample lesson plans or activity blocks that show skill progression.
Faith or cultural alignment — Confirm the type and frequency of religious or cultural activities. Learn whether attendance is mandatory, how beliefs are taught, and how the camp respects differing family practices.
Diversity & inclusion — Look for demographic mix data and documented DEI training for staff. Ask how the camp handles conflicts and how it supports campers from different backgrounds.
Nature/outdoors & environmental stewardship — Count hours outdoors per day and ask about curricula like Leave No Trace. Confirm whether outdoor time is regular and integrated, not optional.
Cost & accessibility — Compare $ per week and check what percent of families receive financial aid. Explore transportation options, scholarship deadlines, and extra fees for special activities.

We recommend touring a facility or joining an open day whenever possible. Talk to alumni families and read recent inspection or accreditation reports. Prioritize the top two items on your list first; let the rest refine your final choice.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 3

Translate family values into concrete, measurable camp features

We, at the Young Explorers Club, convert high‑level values into specific metrics you can request from camps. Keep questions short and numeric. Expect direct answers. Use the checklist below as copy/paste items in an email and add your family’s target numbers.

Email-ready checklist (copy/paste)

Instructions: Send these items as short, numeric requests; camps should reply with numbers, percentages, hours, or exact ratios.

“Staff-to-camper ratio by age group” — please provide exact ratios. Sample targets: 1:4–1:6 (ages ~6–8); 1:6–1:10 (elementary); 1:10–1:12+ (teens).
“100% background checks for all staff” — list types performed (national, sex‑offender registry, state, FBI fingerprinting where applicable).
“% of frontline staff with CPR/First Aid certification” — state current percentage and renewal frequency.
“Medical staffing model” — state if medical staff are on site 24/7 for overnight camps or provide on‑call physician/EMT coverage and response times.
“Hours outdoors per day” — provide averages or ranges (sample: 3–6 hours/day for outdoors-focused programs).
“Environmental education” — confirm presence of Leave No Trace or sustainability curriculum and list hours/week.
“Hours/week of STEM or literacy instruction” — give hours and % of weekly schedule devoted to academic content.
“Accreditation/partner relationships” — list any university or formal educational partners or accreditations.
“Religious activities per week” — specify frequency/type (e.g., daily devotionals 5x/week; weekly worship 1x/week) and whether participation is required or optional.
“Denominational affiliation” — state clearly if affiliated and how that shapes programming.
“% schedule devoted to arts/sports/STEM” — provide percentages and instruction hours/week for specialty tracks (e.g., arts: 12–20 hours/week).
“Class or specialty group size” — list typical sizes (e.g., 8–12 students per specialty class).
“% campers by race/ethnicity and % staff by race/ethnicity” — provide most recent season breakdowns.
“Anti-bias/DEI training hours” — list hours of formal training per staff member per season.

We recommend sending this checklist as a bulleted list with a short preface like: “Please respond with numeric values only.” For examples of how to prioritize items by family values, see choose the best camp for guidance.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 5

Safety, health, and staff quality: the hard numbers to request

We, at the Young Explorers Club, ask for hard data before recommending a camp. I insist you request exact figures and written proof so you can compare camps side‑by‑side with confidence.

Request these exact metrics

Ask camps for the following items and expect clear, numeric answers:

Background checks — Request the percentage of staff with completed checks (our target: 100%). Ask which checks are used (local criminal, national, sex‑offender, international) and the date they were run.
CPR / First Aid — Request the percentage of frontline staff certified in CPR and First Aid (our target: 100% for frontline staff, including lifeguards and trip leaders). Ask for certification bodies and expiry dates.
Staff-to-camper ratios by age group — Ask for actual ratios by cohort. Use these typical ranges as benchmarks:
- Ages ~5–7: expect 1:4–1:6.
- Elementary: expect 1:6–1:10.
- Teens: expect 1:10–1:12+.
Medical coverage — Ask whether a nurse or medical professional is on site. For overnight camps, ask if medical staff are onsite 24/7; if not, ask exact on‑call response times.
Waterfront / lifeguard supervision — Request waterfront ratios and lifeguard certification details. Pools and open water often vary between roughly 1:10 and 1:25 depending on activity and conditions; get the camp’s specific waterfront policy in writing.
Incident / accident rates — Request the number of reportable injuries for each of the last three seasons and the total camper‑days for those seasons. Use the camp’s own numbers to calculate incidents per 1,000 camper‑days.
Accreditation / compliance — Ask whether the camp is ACA‑accredited and state‑licensed where applicable. Request copies of licenses or accreditation letters.
Training logs and timelines — Ask for dated training rosters showing who completed what, when.

Sample comparison box (copyable):

Camp A — 100% background checks; 100% frontline CPR/First Aid; nurse onsite 24/7 (overnight); staff-to-camper ratio 1:6 for 7–9-year-olds; incidents X per 1,000 camper-days (last 3-year avg).
Camp B — 95% background checks; 90% frontline CPR/First Aid; EMT on call (no nurse onsite overnight); ratio 1:10 for 7–9-year-olds; incidents Y per 1,000 camper-days (last 3-year avg).

How to verify and compare numerically

Calculate incident rates with this formula: (number of reportable injuries ÷ total camper‑days) × 1,000 = incidents per 1,000 camper‑days. Ask camps to provide raw numbers so you can run the math. I recommend averaging the last three seasons for a fair picture.

Request copies of written policies, dated training logs, staff certification lists, and the camp’s incident log. Verify background‑check vendors and certification bodies by name. If a camp hesitates to provide these documents, treat that as a red flag.

We, at the Young Explorers Club, also encourage you to review program differences before committing. See Young Explorers Club for how our staffing and safety priorities differ from traditional camps.

Staff hiring, training, and retention as indicators of values and continuity

We, at the Young Explorers Club, treat staff metrics as the clearest sign of a camp’s culture and its ability to deliver on safety and values. Strong numbers show continuity; vague or low figures raise questions. I look for concrete data and role-by-role detail before I recommend a camp to families.

High returning-staff rates mean campers see familiar faces and consistent leadership. Former-camper percentages reveal whether the camp’s values stick over time. Training hours tell me how seriously a program invests in preparedness. Background-check recertification schedules show how often safety is revalidated. Ask camps to provide exact percentages and averages — not broad statements.

I advise parents to probe beyond headline claims. Request:

Role breakdowns (counselor vs specialist vs leadership).
Average training hours split into pre-camp and in-camp.
Frequency of background-check renewals and who conducts them.
Percentage of staff who were campers themselves.

Ask for these staff metrics

Here are the key figures I always request and the benchmarks I use to judge them:

Staff retention rate (returning staff %): strong programs usually report >50–65% returning staff. Higher means continuity and institutional memory.
% of staff who are former campers: a meaningful indicator of cultural continuity and long-term buy-in.
Training hours per staff member (pre-camp + in-camp): expect a meaningful range of 20–60 total hours; specialty roles should require more.
Ongoing supervision and background-check recertification timelines: get exact timelines (annual, biannual) and who handles renewals.
Role-by-role breakdowns: ask for separate averages for counselors, activity specialists, and leadership.

I use example profiles to illustrate what good and weak numbers look like:

Camp X: 65% returning staff; 40 training hours per staff; 100% background checks. This profile signals stability and a strong safety culture.
Camp Y: 20% returning staff; 12 training hours per staff; 95% background checks. This raises questions about continuity and preparedness, even if basic checks are in place.

Interpretation is straightforward. High retention and more training hours usually correlate with better adherence to safety protocols and stronger delivery of values-based programming. A high proportion of former campers often means traditions and expectations get passed on naturally. Frequent recertification of background checks reduces drift in compliance and helps maintain parent confidence.

I also look for qualitative signs during conversations. Staff who can explain training modules, who reference scenario-based practice, or who describe mentorship structures tend to perform better than those who only quote hours. Insist on specifics; vague assurances are a red flag.

For practical next steps, ask camps to email you:

Exact returning-staff percentage for the last three summers.
Average training hours per role.
Dates and providers for the last background-check renewals.

If you want an example of how we handle recruitment and training, read about Young Explorers Club camps to see the level of detail you should expect in responses.

Cost, logistics, and parent communication: what to quantify before you commit

We, at the young explorers club, ask families to quantify three things before they sign up: net cost, logistical fit, and communication standards. I separate the facts you must collect from the judgments you’ll make.

Essential figures to request from every camp

Gather these exact items from each program to make apples-to-apples comparisons.

Program cost: request the exact $ amount per week or per session and a full itemization of additional fees (activity fees, equipment charges, registration fees, transportation surcharges).
Financial aid: ask for the exact percent of families who receive aid (“% families receive aid”) and the average scholarship in dollars (“average scholarship $”).
Refund / cancellation policy: request the refund schedule in exact terms or the percent refundable at each cancellation window (for example, 75% refundable if canceled 30+ days prior; 50% at 14–29 days; 0% under 14 days).
Session length and daily hours: collect session length in weeks (1–8 weeks), the age ranges served, and daily schedule start/finish times (hours per day).
Transportation: get the percent of campers transported by camp (bus/charter) and exact pickup/drop-off locations. Ask whether transport carries an extra fee and if so, the exact $ amount.
Parent communication: request the frequency and method of updates (daily app updates vs. weekly emails), number of photo uploads per week, parent portal access, and an incident notification commitment (for example, notify parents within 24 hours of any medical incident).

Net family cost = tuition + fees + travel + equipment − average aid.

Cost-per-hour = Net family cost ÷ (session weeks × hours per week).

Record the following columns for each camp when you compare options:

Tuition ($)
Fees ($)
Avg scholarship ($)
Net cost ($)
Session length (weeks)
Travel time (hrs)
% campers transported

Practical, operational checks I insist on

Verify session length against travel time: If travel is more than 2 hours one-way for a 1-week session, re-evaluate the value.
Confirm daily hours: Confirm daily hours before computing cost-per-hour. Short days increase your true hourly price.
Ask for a sample parent update: Request a screenshot or PDF so you can judge tone and content.
Get the transport manifest policy: How many stops, maximum ride time, and adult-to-camper ratio on vehicles.

A few quick negotiation and comparison tips

Push for a written average aid figure: Camps that refuse to state average awards or percentage of families receiving aid make fair comparison impossible.
Treat refund schedules as part of your risk budget: A lower price with a strict no-refund policy can cost you more than a slightly pricier, refundable option.
Use the cost-per-hour metric: Compare programs with different day lengths or session durations. Short intensive sessions can look cheaper per week but cost more per instructional hour.

We, at the young explorers club, also maintain a practical guide to help parents choose; for a focused checklist on choosing a summer camp, see summer camp in Switzerland for extra guidance on matching values and logistics.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 7

How to compare camps: checklist questions, scoring tools, and outcome metrics

We, at the young explorers club, put this actionable toolkit in your hands so you can rank camps by values fit and make decisions with data. Use a spreadsheet to collect numeric answers, standardize terms, and compute a weighted match score that reflects what matters most to your family. If you want a deeper selection process, see our guide to choose the best camp.

We recommend a comparison matrix with these columns:

Safety metrics
Programming (% schedule)
Staff metrics
DEI stats
Cost (net)
Logistics
Parent comms
Outcomes (satisfaction/return)

Each field should accept numeric values or standardized codes so you can sort and filter quickly.

Score each category 1–5, then weight by family priorities. Example weight set: Safety 30%, Values fit 25%, Cost 20%, Communication 10%, Logistics 10%, Outcomes 5%. Example calculation: Camp A scores → Safety 5, Values fit 4, Cost 4, Comm 4, Logistics 5, Outcomes 4. Weighted overall = 4.2/5. Camp B overall = 3.6/5. We suggest saving score formulas in the sheet so you can rerun rankings if priorities change.

Ask camps for these outcome benchmarks and use them as decision gates:

Parent satisfaction % (high-performing camps often report >85%).
Camper return rate % (good benchmark >50%).
% of campers showing improvement on targeted skills (ask for pre/post methodology and sample sizes).

Double-check data quality before you trust headline numbers. Ask for survey methodology, response rate, and sample size when camps provide satisfaction or outcome percentages. Request raw counts where possible. Use this incident-rate reminder when camps quote safety data: (number of reportable injuries ÷ total camper-days) × 1,000 = incidents per 1,000 camper-days. We prefer camps that publish both counts and denominators.

Copyable checklist questions (record numeric answers/policies):

What is staff-to-camper ratio by age?
What % of staff have background checks? (target 100%)
How many hours of pre-camp training per staff? (avg hrs)
Is a medical professional onsite 24/7? (yes/no)
What % of families receive financial aid and what is the avg scholarship $?
Frequency of religious activities per week and whether they are mandatory
DEI: % campers and % staff by race/ethnicity; DEI training hours per staff
Incident report rates for last 3 seasons (number per 1,000 camper-days)
Refund/cancellation policy in % refundable terms

Take these action steps:

Copy & paste the checklist into outreach emails.
Collect numeric answers in a spreadsheet.
Apply your weighted rubric to produce an overall match rating.
Share results with family or guardians and re-run the sheet if priorities change.

Real-world profiles: mini case studies showing values alignment in numbers

Three anonymized numeric profiles we use to show how family values translate into measurable camp choices

Below are three compact profiles that map concrete numbers to specific values. We include the trade-offs so families can weigh priorities fast.

Faith-based camp — values: religious alignment and community

Devotionals / faith activities: 5 days/week; faith-based programming = 20% of the weekly schedule.
Denominational alignment: denominational camp with participation encouraged and some required activities.
Safety & staffing: 100% background checks; overall staff-to-camper ratio 1:8.
Cost & aid: $800/week; 40% of families receive aid; average scholarship $300.

Why this matches: we value strong, regular faith content and accessible tuition support. We accept the trade-off of a higher staff-to-camper ratio than boutique specialty camps because community and doctrinal continuity matter more here.

Environmental / outdoors camp — values: nature, stewardship, outdoor skills

Hours outdoors: 4–6 hours outdoors per day; environmental curriculum = 3 hours/week.
Sustainability practices: Leave No Trace curriculum integrated; camp reports percentage of local/organic food on request.
Safety & staffing: staff-to-camper ratio 1:6 for younger groups; nurse on-site daytime; EMT on-call overnight.
Cost: typical session cost $650/week (example; confirm exact fee).

Why this matches: we prioritize daily outdoor time and an explicit sustainability curriculum. We accept fewer daily academic hours as the trade-off for hands-on stewardship and wilderness skill-building.

Arts / sports specialization camp — values: skill development and instruction intensity

Instruction hours: 15 hours/week of focused arts instruction; arts = 60% of the schedule.
Class size: specialty groups of 8–10 campers.
Outcomes tracking: camp reports typical improvement ~30% on pre/post measures (request methodology and sample size).
Safety & staffing: 100% background checks; specialist training = 40 hours.
Cost: $900/week with limited financial aid (example values — confirm with the camp).

Why this matches: we look for concentrated instruction time and small class sizes to drive measurable skill gains. We accept reduced general outdoor/free-play time so specialists can focus on technique and progression.

We recommend asking every camp for the same numeric data points so comparisons are apples-to-apples. Request the following details:

staff-to-camper ratio by age group
percent of staff with background checks completed
specialist training hours per staff member
hours per day spent outdoors or instruction hours per week
cost per week ($)
percent of families receiving financial aid and average award

Compare these numbers side-by-side and consult our practical resources when narrowing choices; for hands-on selection tips we link to our guide to choose the best summer camp.