How to Choose Safe Summer Camps

June 21, 2005— -- Thousands and kids are off to camp to this summer, but how do parents choose the safest camps to keep their minds at ease when the kids are away. The Camp Experts is a free advice service that gives parents detailed information and guidance on summer camps and other summer program. Joanne Paltrowitz joined "GMA" from the The Camp Experts, with these tips for staying safe at summer camp:

Meet the director: Ask about the camp's philosophy about what to do with and for children. Pose possible scenarios to the director and find out if the child gets sick in the middle of the night, who's available to give care? If you get stuck in traffic and are late for pickup at day camp, what happens? If a storm is forecast, what procedures are there to evacuate camp, or take shelter or notify parents?

Ask about the camp safety record: Don't be embarrassed to find out about previous injuries or problems, and inquire what happened and how the camp director dealt with it.

Visit the camp while it's in session: If possible, observe camp either the summer before you enroll your children or in a previous session that summer. Get a sense of how engaged the children are and how attentive the staff are. Look for clean facilities, and check for safety exits and smoke detectors.

Focus on the counselors: According to the American Camping Association guidelines, 80 percent of counselors at overnight camps must be over 18; 90 percent must be at least 16 at day camps. There should be at least one counselor for every 8 campers at a day camp, according to most experts.

Count lifeguards: There should be one lifeguard for 25 bathers, according most state regulations. Nonswimmers must be identified with a special bathing cap or wristband. When children swim off-site, camp lifeguards must wear camp tee-shirts, and there must be one counselor in the water for every 10 children over the age of 8.

Trust your instincts: If something seems wrong, it might be.