30 Essential Questions to Ask on a Day Camp Tour

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Websites and brochures can only tell you so much. The best way to understand a day camp is to walk the grounds, meet the people, and ask direct questions. A camp tour is your chance to see how safety, supervision, activities, and culture really work.

This guide gives you 30 practical questions to bring on any camp tour—plus a few ways to interpret the answers you hear. If you’re comparing multiple New Jersey camps, you can also use the tools in the Camp Comparison Hub and the data-based guide Best Day Camp in New Jersey: The Data Version.

1. Questions About Leadership and Experience

Start with the people in charge. Strong leadership sets the tone for safety, staff training, and camper experience.

  1. Who owns and directs the camp? How long have they been in their role?
  2. What is your background in education, youth development, or camping?
  3. How long have your core leadership team members been here?
  4. What does a typical day look like for you during the summer?

Look for leaders who are present, accessible, and clearly invested in day-to-day camper experience—not just behind the scenes. For more context on why this matters, see How to Evaluate Day Camp Safety.

2. Questions About Staff Hiring and Training

Staff are the heart of camp. The way they are screened, trained, and supervised has a direct impact on your child’s safety and happiness.

  1. How do you recruit, interview, and hire staff?
  2. Do you run background checks and reference checks on all adults?
  3. How many days of pre-season staff training do you provide?
  4. What topics are covered in staff training? (e.g., safety, behavior management, inclusion, mental health.)
  5. How do you coach or retrain staff during the season?

Listen for specifics rather than general phrases like “we hire good people.” You want a camp that treats staff development as an ongoing priority.

3. Questions About Ratios, Group Sizes, and Supervision

Camper-to-staff ratios and group sizes affect safety, social dynamics, and how much personal attention your child receives.

  1. What are your typical camper-to-staff ratios by age group?
  2. How many campers are in a typical group?
  3. Who directly supervises my child’s group during the day?
  4. How are counselors supervised and evaluated?

Smaller groups and clear supervision structures make it easier for staff to notice if a child is struggling socially or emotionally. For more about social growth in group settings, see How Summer Camp Builds Social Skills Better Than School.

4. Questions About Safety, Health, and Emergencies

Every camp hopes they never have to use their emergency plans—but responsible camps prepare for them anyway.

  1. Who is responsible for health and safety on site? Do you have a dedicated health or safety coordinator?
  2. How do you handle injuries, illness, and medications?
  3. What certifications do your lifeguards and high-risk activity staff hold?
  4. What is your plan for severe weather, heat, or air-quality alerts?
  5. How do you communicate with parents if there is an incident or emergency?

Clear, confident answers are a good sign. Vague or reluctant responses are not. You can compare safety approaches using the full guide How to Evaluate Day Camp Safety.

5. Questions About Transportation and Daily Logistics

Transportation and arrival/dismissal procedures affect both safety and how stressful each day feels for your family.

  1. Do you offer bus transportation? If so, who rides the bus with the campers?
  2. How do you track attendance on buses and at camp?
  3. What are your carline procedures for drop-off and pick-up?
  4. How do you handle late arrivals, early pick-ups, or changes in who is picking up?

For a deeper look at safe and organized transportation systems, see Day Camps With Transportation: What Parents Should Know.

6. Questions About Program, Activities, and Choice

Programs should balance structure, variety, and age-appropriate challenge. You want a camp that fits your child’s personality—not just a list of activities that look good on paper.

  1. What does a typical day look like for my child’s age group?
  2. How do you balance sports, arts, adventure, and free play?
  3. Do older campers get to choose some of their activities?
  4. How do you support campers who are nervous to try new things?

If your child thrives with variety and broad growth, a general day camp model may be a better fit than a single-focus program. For more on the differences, see Day Camp vs Sports Camp and Day Camp vs Overnight Camp.

7. Questions About Inclusion, Behavior, and Social Support

No child has a “perfect” day every day. What matters is how adults respond when social or behavioral challenges come up.

  1. How do you handle bullying, teasing, or social conflicts?
  2. Do you have an inclusion program or extra support for kids with different needs?
  3. How do counselors check in with shy, anxious, or first-time campers?
  4. How and when do you communicate with parents if a child is struggling?

Look for camps that see behavior as communication and prioritize coaching, support, and collaboration with families.

8. Questions About Communication and Parent Involvement

Clear communication builds trust. You should know what to expect before camp begins and how to reach the right person during the summer.

Consider asking:

  • How will you communicate with me during the season? (email, text, app, phone calls?)
  • Who should I contact if I have a concern during the day?
  • Do you send photos, updates, or newsletters?
  • How do you gather feedback from families after the summer?

For a broader framework on evaluating communication and culture, you can use the tools in the Camp Comparison Hub.

Using These Questions on Your Next Tour

You don’t need to ask all 30 questions at once. Instead, pick the ones that matter most to your family—safety, social support, transportation, inclusion—and use those as your starting point.

Before your tour:

  • Print this list or save it on your phone
  • Highlight your top 10–12 questions
  • Leave room to jot down notes and impressions

After your tours, compare how each camp responded. Were leaders specific or vague? Did they seem proud of their systems and staff? Did you leave feeling calmer and more confident—or with a longer list of worries?

If you’d like a data-based framework to go with these questions, explore Best Day Camp in New Jersey: The Data Version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions should I ask on a camp tour?

You don’t have to ask all 30. Most parents focus on 8–12 questions that matter most to their family—usually about safety, staff, communication, and how new or anxious campers are supported.

What if I feel nervous asking tough questions?

Good camps welcome informed parents. Directors expect questions about safety, staff training, supervision, transportation, and inclusion. Clear and confident answers are a sign of a well-run program.

When should I schedule a tour?

Many families tour in late winter or early spring, but you can often tour year-round. Earlier visits give you more time to compare options, talk with your child, and secure the schedule you want.

Should I bring my child on the tour?

It depends on their age and temperament. Younger children may benefit from seeing the space once you’ve narrowed down your choices, while older children often appreciate being part of the decision sooner.

What should I do after I visit several camps?

Review your notes, talk with your child about their impressions, and compare camps using readiness, safety, and program fit. Tools in the Camp Comparison Hub can help you organize your thoughts.

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If you’d like to tour Liberty Lake Day Camp and use these questions in real time, you can schedule a tour, email fun@libertylakedaycamp.com, or call 609-499-7820.

 

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