We just made it to spring, but now is the time many families are looking at summer camps.
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a list of guidelines to help parents and children find a camp that's right. The AAP recommends your child attend a camp that provides written policies and protocols that have been approved by a physician with specialized training in children's health.
Pediatricians recommend picking a camp that has some structure to the daily schedule. Even though its summer vacation, experts say children are actually happier when they're engaged and within a structured setting.
Camps should also be clear about what the camping experience will be like so you can determine if your child is in proper health to participate.
If you're having trouble deciding, some camps will let you visit.
"Most camps will allow you to come and visit, sometime late in the spring or early summer, so you can check it out, meet the camp director, walk around and see what the camp is like," said Dr. Elaine Shulte, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. "If they don't have that availability, certainly talk to parents who have already sent their kids to camp."
Dr. Schulte says, in the end, try to find a camp that will allow your child to build on the social skills they learn at school.
