Questions to Ask When Choosing an Overnight Summer Camp

Most families choose a summer camp the way they choose lots of things in life. Maybe it's through word of mouth, a website that caught your eye, a recommendation from a close friend, or just a gut feeling you got during a tour. There’s nothing wrong with that at all! But there are a few specific details that are really worth looking into, even if most camp websites make them a little hard to find. We've put together a simple framework to help you cut through the noise and find the best fit.

Does the camp have ACA accreditation?

The American Camp Association (ACA) evaluates camps against about 300 different standards. These cover everything from safety and staff qualifications to health protocols, transportation, and daily operations. Surprisingly, fewer than 20% of camps in the US actually hold this accreditation. While it isn't a guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong, it's a guarantee that the right systems are in place to handle things professionally if they do. Camp WeHaKee is ACA accredited and we make sure to meet or exceed those standards every single year.

What’s the staff ratio?

This is the number that’ll probably matter most for your daughter’s actual day to day experience. A 10:1 ratio means one adult is responsible for ten kids at once, which can be a lot to manage. A 4:1 ratio means the counselor can actually get to know each girl as an individual.

At WeHaKee, our overall staff ratio is 2:1, but not all of our staff are cabin counselors. Our counselor ratio is 4:1. Each of our cabins has up to eight girls and is staffed by two counselors, who sleep in an adjoining room every night. This ratio affects everything, like how quickly a problem gets noticed or whether a quiet child gets the check-in she needs. It's always worth asking about this directly before you commit to a camp.

Is it single-gender or coed?

Research has shown that girls in single-gender environments often take on more leadership roles and feel more comfortable taking healthy physical risks. In these settings, they’re often less likely to defer to others than they might be in a coed environment. For some girls, this makes a huge difference. At Camp WeHaKee, we’re a girls' camp through and through. This shapes everything from who leads the activities to who gives the talks around the campfire. The girls aren't competing for space or attention with anyone else; the whole experience is built just for them.

What’s a typical day like?

If you ask a camp this question, pay close attention to how specific they get. A vague answer might suggest a program that isn't very well defined. A camp with strong programming should be able to tell you exactly what a Tuesday in week two looks like!

At WeHaKee, the day has a wonderful rhythm. We have morning activities and then afternoon free choice from nearly 40 different options. We also have Valley Time for letters and relaxation, followed by an Evening Gathering for the whole community. Your daughter will have plenty of choices within a stable structure, so it never feels chaotic or overly rigid.

How does the camp handle homesickness?

It’s a great idea to ask this directly and listen to the answer. If a camp says they "barely ever see it," that might be a red flag. The right answer should explain what they actually do when it happens. At WeHaKee, we distinguish between "homesadness," which is normal and handled by counselors every day, and true homesickness, which is rare and something we address by calling you and working together.

Is WeHaKee the right fit for your daughter?

WeHaKee tends to be a great match for girls who are ready to try new things and who’d benefit from a summer without screens or social pressure. It isn't for every single child, and that’s perfectly fine! The best camp is the one that fits your daughter’s unique personality.

If you want to chat about whether WeHaKee is the right match for your family, feel free to call 608-787-8304 or email info@wehakeecampforgirls.com. We’d much rather help you find the perfect fit than have you enroll in a program that isn't quite right.

One more thing worth asking

Ask a camp what happens to their campers after the summer ends. Do the girls come back? Do they move into leadership programs as they get older? Do alums eventually send their own daughters? The answers to these questions will tell you more about a camp’s heart than any brochure. At WeHaKee, our return rate’s high, our Leadership Academy is thriving, and our alum community spans generations. We believe that happens when a place consistently delivers an experience that’s truly worth returning to.