Shapiro says he has children come to overnight camp as young as 6, but says parents considering such experiences for their children should let them give it a try by age 9. "If you push it to the preteen years, then you are often sending your children into a situation where they are put in a group of established friends and it can be hard to integrate."

Most children are ready for some kind of day camp experience by first grade, says Alswanger, who recommends children attend for at least a few weeks (he recommends four) to get the most out of the experience. "More than anything, you want to give them a chance to get comfortable and make some new friends."

What to ask before you choose a Summer Camp for your child…

How old are your counselors? Are younger counselors paired with more experienced ones? How many of your counselors have worked here before and what are their average years of experience? If they teach a sport or skill, what are their backgrounds and training? How are they supervised?

How do you deal with bullies? What are the camp’s discipline procedures?

What is the camp’s philosophy?

Can you describe a typical day? How about a typical day when it rains?

Describe the other campers and their backgrounds?

What is the camp’s philosophy on diversity? Are the children predominately one race or religion?

How are children grouped? By sex? By age? Consider that groupings that lump together children from several grades can be problematic.

What are your emergency protocols? Describe your medical staff. And where is the nearest hospital?

How will you inform me if my child is miserable and not adjusting well? Will you let me visit the camp on a non-family day if I am worried?

How do you protect children with food allergies?

Do you have flexible hours for working parents?

Do you allow a tuition break if a family vacation conflicts with part of the camp session?

Are there other parents or campers who can answer some of my questions?

Are you approved and licensed by the state of Connecticut, the state where you are located or do you have an accreditation fro the American Camping Association?

--Sources; the American Camping Association; Gary Bloom of Camp Playland in New Canaan; Geoff Alswanger of the Long Ridge Camp; Dov Shapiro of Camp Chateaugay; as well as parents or experienced campers.

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