How to Choose the Right Camp
With more than 3,000 overnight summer camps in the U.S. the obvious question is, “which one is right for my child?” Below is a list of questions to help you decide if our camps are the right fit for your family. Some of them are by suggestions of the American Camping Association; others are questions we asked when making decisions for our own boys.
What does the director look for in hiring counselors?
Counselors are the foundation of any camp and safety is directly linked to their skills. When a director hires a counselor they should be aware that the moment your child walks in the cabin they want to be exactly like their counselor. Click here for more information on how we do this.
How many years have the counselors been at camp?
Continuity is crucial for developing tradition, and tradition creates a sense of timelessness that is so important at a great camp.You should look for a camp where a large percentage of the counselors began as campers. You should also ask what percentage of the staff are hired through international staffing agencies. Groups like CCUSA and Camp America do great work, but we still think the largest group should be past campers.
What is the ratio of counselors to campers?
This will vary, even among good camps. Our ratio is 1 to 3.5.
How experienced are the directors? What is their background?
Directors will hire staff that they want their own children to emulate so if you can learn something about the camp directors you will learn a lot about their staff. Speak with the directors and ask about their own children’s camp experiences. Click here for more information about our directors.
What is the camp’s philosophy?
This topic covers a broad range of concerns including: Is the program structured or open? What does the camp consider a healthy sense of competition? Is the camp simply to have fun, or foster growth, or both? The best way to answer these questions is to speak with the Directors. Please feel free to call us at 828.669.8766.
What is the faith dynamic?
Notice that I said “What is the faith dynamic” and not “Is there a faith dynamic.” Any residential setting has a spiritual dynamic so it is important that a director decides what that will look like. For us it means hiring staff that have made a thoughtful Christian commitment, hold a high view of the Bible, demonstrate a dependence on grace and are always gentle with people from other backgrounds. That is not right for every family, so don’t be afraid to ask hard questions.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Timberlake campers are housed in screened cabins, with private toilet and shower facilities in each cabin. Our cabins are rustic by design but still on the more comfortable side of the camp spectrum. A great camp cabin will be an iteration up from a tent, not an iteration down from a house. But it will also be comfortable enough that boys can rest easily after a day of adventure with friends.
Is the camp accredited by the American Camping Association?
There are lots of wonderful camps that have chosen not to seek accreditation. Still, ACA membership verifies that a camp complies with up to 300 individual standards, so if a camp you are considering is not a member you should ask why. We have recently decided to discontinue our accreditation and ACA membership, but still host qualified inspectors for regular inspections consistent with the ACA standards. These standards are excellent. Please call or email us any time to discuss our decisions around accreditation.
We are also members of the Christian Camp & Conference Association (CCCA), and founding members of the North Carolina Youth Camping Association (NCYCA).
One last suggestion is to connect with the directors’ personal pages on social media. There are two things to keep in mind here. First, you will need to let them know you are friending them or they will probably not recognize your name when the request comes through. Second, most social media is a working tool for a camp director. It will be a meeting place for them with campers and staff and you will get a good feel for how the camp community interacts.
Sound like a good fit?
Enroll NowWhat if we are not the right fit? Then give us a call at 828-669-8766. There are a lot of great camps in our area and we’d love to help you find the right one.