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What should you ask a camp before you sign up?
The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes questions for parents choosing a camp. Here are several of them, each with what the Ohio rules we quote say on the same point, and which kind of camp that rule is for.
Listed, not checked. We have not visited, inspected, rated or endorsed any camp named on this page, and a camp being named here says nothing about how it is run. Each fact is the operator’s or the agency’s own wording, with a link to the page it came from. Read the questions to ask and put them to the camp yourself.
Printable sheet with space for answers
1. Who are the staff, and how many are there?
The pediatricians’ wording: Ask about the staff. Do the same counselors tend to return each year or is there high turnover? Is the staff made up of young adults or teens, as well as adults? What are their roles? What is the child to staff ratio?
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: The rule for approved day camps sets these ratios: (a) For children five to eleven years of age, a one to eighteen staff to child ratio is required.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) (b) For children eleven to eighteen years of age, a one to twenty staff to child ratio is required.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) In the chapters we read we did not find a ratio for other camps; ask the camp for its own.
2. Who has been background-checked?
This one is not on the pediatricians’ list. It comes from Ohio’s rules.
In Ohio: The rule for registered day camps: All applicants, employees and child day camp staff members of the registered child day camp, including child day camp administrators and child day camp owners, are to request a bureau of criminal investigation (BCI) and a federal bureau of investigation (FBI) criminal records check pursuant to section 5104.013 of the Revised Code.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective April 27, 2023) And The camp is not to grant the individual sole responsibility for the care, custody or control of a child until the results of the criminal records check have been reviewed and it is determined that the individual is eligible for employment.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective April 27, 2023) The approved-day-camp rule says: Background checks are not required for volunteers and visitors.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) More on background checks.
3. Who handles health care, and what happens in an emergency?
The pediatricians’ wording: Ask how health care is delivered at camp. Many camps have camp nurses, but no physicians. Some camps don't even have camp nurses due to their size, and only first-aid trained staff members.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024) Ask how the camp deals with minor illnesses and injuries? How are staff trained to handle these situations?
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024) Does the camp have arrangements with local hospitals and emergency medical services? Know who is caring for your children, and what training those staff members have.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: From the overnight camp rule, on supplies: First aid equipment consisting of unused disposable gloves and a sufficient supply of materials to stop bleeding and to clean and cover minor cuts and abrasions shall be provided.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2022) And among the operator’s duties: Promptly notify the board of health of any known cases of communicable or infectious disease and, in the event of an outbreak, comply with the orders given by the board of health.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2022)
4. Is the camp accredited, licensed, registered or permitted?
The pediatricians’ wording: Accreditation is different than licensing.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024) This does not guarantee a risk-free environment, but it's some of the best evidence you have of a camp's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for children.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: The sources quoted on this site treat these separately. Day camp registration and its exemptions are on the registration page. The overnight camp rule, on the permit: The operator shall post the current permit approval in a conspicuous manner on the resident camp premises.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2022) What the sources say about accreditation is on the accreditation page.
5. What are the swimming rules?
The pediatricians’ wording: What are the swimming requirements? Camps with a water component will likely require your child to take a swim test
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024) It's also important to ask if the pool or body of water is near the campsite.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 5/8/2024) If swimming lessons are offered, the instructors and lifeguards should be up-to-date on certifications.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 5/8/2024) Some camps will test your child's swim skills and then adjust water activities and supervision according to their skill level.
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 5/8/2024)
In Ohio: The rule for approved day camps: An approved child day camp shall have one lifeguard present for every thirty-five children when children are involved in a water activity for on-site and private pools over eighteen inches in depth.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) The overnight camp rule: Water recreation areas are supervised while in use and maintained when the resident camp is in operation;
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2022) The CDC: Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
(cdc.gov) Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water.
(cdc.gov)
6. How are sun, heat, ticks and storms handled?
The pediatricians’ wording: Ask about sunblock. Most camps have kids outside all day. Camps should have a protocol for how often they have children reapply sunscreen
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: The CDC on heat: Protect yourself and others when it's hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated, and knowing the symptoms.
(cdc.gov) On ticks: Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov) If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
(cdc.gov) Ohio’s rules for approved day camps define the weather that counts: "Hazardous weather conditions" means winds of twenty miles per hour or greater, continuous or heavy rain, hail, extreme temperatures, lightening or tornado warnings or watches within a twenty mile radius of a child day camp activity site.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
7. What does the camp require before the first day?
The pediatricians’ wording: Make sure all campers and staff are required to be vaccinated according to the recommended childhood immunization schedule
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: Two operators’ lines on forms. Hiram House: All medical forms and immunization records must be uploaded to your CampBrain account 30 days prior to your child’s first day of camp.
(hiramhousecamp.org) Great Parks: Parents or guardians must complete their camper's health profile online through CampDoc at least seven days before camp begins.
(greatparks.org)
8. Can the camp meet my child’s particular needs?
The pediatricians’ wording: it is also important to ask about whether the staff has any prior experience working with children with special needs
(healthychildren.org (AAP), last updated 4/15/2024)
In Ohio: The rule for approved day camps: A child with special needs shall be included in the group that best meets the child's developmental needs.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) Columbus Recreation and Parks, on accommodation requests: All Accommodation Requests MUST be received no later than Wednesday, April 1 to allow time for the assessment process and collaboration with the camp director before the summer camp season begins.
(columbusrecparks.com) See disabilities and medical needs.
9. Who may pick my child up, and what if I am late?
This one is not on the pediatricians’ list. It comes from Ohio’s rules.
In Ohio: The rule for approved day camps: Only release a child to the parent or to a person who has previously been approved by the parent.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) Each child shall be checked in upon arrival at camp and checked out when leaving for the day.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) One operator’s late fee, Columbus Recreation and Parks: A $15 fee applies for pick-ups between 5:30-5:45 p.m., with an additional charge of $1 per minute for arrivals after 5:45 p.m.
(columbusrecparks.com)
10. Who do I call with a complaint?
This one is not on the pediatricians’ list. It comes from Ohio’s rules.
In Ohio: What a registered day camp must provide to parents: (1) Telephone numbers of the county department of health and the county public children services agency of the county in which the child day camp is located;
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) (2) A statement that the parents may contact the county department or agency to make a complaint regarding the child day camp.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025)
What should you do with the answers?
Our suggestion: ask for written answers and follow up on anything unclear. Nothing on this site grades a camp. The questions are how you find out for yourself.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, healthychildren.org: choosing a summer camp and preparing your child; American Academy of Pediatrics, healthychildren.org: water at summer camp (Ask the Pediatrician); CDC, Preventing drowning; CDC, Preventing tick bites; CDC, About heat and your health; Ohio rules from codes.ohio.gov. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your child’s own doctor knows what your child needs at camp.