A CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST
You arrived on time, gave your child a big hug, admired his crafts project, debriefed his cabin leader, and took a camp tour. What’s left to do? Although each camp has a unique check-out protocol, you should, at a minimum, do the following:
You arrived on time, gave your child a big hug, admired his crafts project, debriefed his cabin leader, and took a camp tour. What’s left to do? Although each camp has a unique check-out protocol, you should, at a minimum, do the following:
- Gather all your child’s belongings. Check in, on, and around your child’s cabin for clothes and other equipment. He probably has something under his bed or hanging on the back line that he’s forgotten to pack. Use the equipment list you made while packing to verify you’re returning home with all important items. Double-check the lost-and-found for anything that’s still missing. It’s better to search now than purchase an item for the second time once you return home.
- Give feedback to the camp director. Closing day, like opening day, is hectic, but this may be your only opportunity to talk with the camp director face-to-face. It’s helpful to briefly share both praise and constructive criticism. Although directors have many other parents with whom they need to talk, your comments will be remembered. You’d be surprised how one parent’s brief comment to a director can revolutionize a camp’s policy, program, or procedure. Remember, you are the reason the camp is in business.
- Debrief the medical staff. If your child takes medicine or has special medical needs, you should talk to the camp nurse or doctor on closing day. Collect any left-over medicine and ask how things went. In the rare instance that your child was injured while at camp, it’s a good idea to check with the medical staff to see whether they recommend any ongoing care or follow-up appointments with your family doctor. At high quality overnight camps, the medical staff will be readily accessible on closing day.
- Close your account. At many overnight camps, there is some sort of account balance to settle at the end of each session. You may either owe money or be due money. Save yourself the paperwork and mailings by settling your account in person on closing day. This also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your account, or buy some last-minute items at the camp store.
- Verify the mailing list. Many camps enroll campers on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, you should verify that the camp has your correct mailing address for next year’s registration forms. If you have questions about when next year’s registrations are due, be sure to ask. One day could make the difference between securing a spot in the session you want and getting put on the waiting list.
- Sign-out. Actually putting your signature on some kind of sign-out list verifies for the camp that kids’ legal guardians are taking them out of camp. Because of the minute risk that an unauthorized adult might leave camp with a child, high quality camps have official sign-out lists.
Your child has now experienced the joys and benefits of overnight camping, and you both have some time to reflect on the experience. You’ll notice some positive changes in your child right away. Others will take time to develop and manifest themselves. Make no mistake about it. Camp has done your child a world of good.
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