Advice for Parents Making Summer Arrangements for Their Children

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The coming of summer means it's decision time for parents—deciding on a summer camp for your child or, in some cases, deciding whether your child is mature enough to stay home alone at least part of the time.

"These are perennial decisions that generation after generation of parents has had to cope with," said Angela Liddle, executive director of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, a nonprofit agency that frequently provides advice on good parenting practices. "Over the years we've developed some basic rules of thumb to help guide parents."

When it comes to choosing a summer camp, Liddle said, it's best to remember that a camp is more than a beautiful setting—the quality of its program and how it's run are the top considerations.

First and foremost, ask for references. Ask if the American Camp Association (ACA) accredits the camp. Then ask about the camp director. What educational credentials and experience does the director have? The ACA recommends a bachelor's degree, in-service training within the past three years, and at least 16 weeks of prior camp administrative experience.

Each camp has its own philosophy. How does the camp's philosophy square with your own parenting philosophy? For example, some camps promote competition and rivalry among camp teams. Some parents like this; some don't. Consider how the camp philosophy fits your child's personality. Ask how behavioral and disciplinary problems handled. This will tell you a lot about the camp philosophy.

Make sure the camp staff is safety-trained, capable of handling emergencies, knowledgeable about behavior management, and informed about child abuse prevention.

Ask about the counselor-to-camper ratio. The younger the campers, the higher the ratio of staff to campers should be. For example, there should be one staffer for every five campers ages 4 and 5, whereas one staffer is adequate for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17.

Check the ages of the counselors. Eighty percent should be at least 18. Counselors should be at least two years older than the kids with whom they work. Ask how many counselors are coming back from the previous year. If it's less than 40 to 60 percent, it might be red flag.

If your child isn't going to summer camp, you may be wondering if your child is mature enough, capable enough, to stay home alone for part or all of a day?

Liddle said that contrary to popular belief, there's no legal age that defines when a child can or should be left home alone. It's up to each parent to assess their child, the situation, and decide what's best. Here are some considerations:

First, ask yourself some basic questions about your child's readiness. Does your child follow your rules and instructions? Does your child know how to use the telephone, work the locks at home, and safely operate basic appliances? Do you have confidence your child could handle an unexpected situation without panicking? Can your child handle being home alone without being afraid?

If you're not sure, do a trial run. Leave your child alone for a short time while you're nearby and see how it goes.

If you're satisfied your child's ready, set out some basic rules, such as:

• Check in with a parent by phone (or with a neighbor) as soon as you get home.
• Don't accept rides from strangers.
• Don't let anyone know you're home alone and don't let anyone in without a parent's permission.
• Carry your house key in a safe spot. Don't hide it under a doormat or on a door ledge or anywhere else it's easy to find.

Teach your child how to call 911 and give directions to your home. Teach your child how to escape from your house if there's a fire. Make sure children understand that you want them to let you know if anything frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

A word about expectations. Don't automatically assume an older child is capable of caring for a younger one. Just because a child may be ready to stay home alone doesn't necessarily mean he or she is ready to care for a younger sibling.

Liddle said, "It should go without saying, but it never hurts to repeat, that in choosing a summer camp or in deciding if it's time for a child to be able to be at home alone, the safety of the child is and always should be the first priority!"

PFSA provides training on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies.

Last year it trained nearly 8,000 individuals who work with or around children in how to recognize and report suspected child abuse.

PFSA is the Pennsylvania sponsor of The Front Porch Project®, a community-based training initiative that educates the general public about how to protect children from abuse, and also works with more than 50 affiliate agencies across Pennsylvania to provide information, educational materials, and programs that teach and support good parenting practices.

Visit the PFSA website at www.pa-fsa.org.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
Protecting children from abuse
Training for professionals
Support for families
Education for communities

SOURCE PA Family Support Alliance