‘You’re sending me to camp where?’

Having trouble figuring out where to send your kid this summer? Here are five questions to ask yourself before choosing a camp.

Is the camp accredited? The American Camp Assn. has accredited more than 200 camps in Southern California and Hawaii for safety and staff training. The group monitors these camps and provides ongoing instruction to camp managers.

How long is the camp? Try to determine how long your child can be away from home. Younger children who have little experience being away from their parents might be comfortable only a short distance from home for a week or two, or even just attending a day camp. Older children or camp veterans might be more open to longer and more distant excursions.

Does the camp match your child’s interests? Summer camps are no longer just about crafts and campfires. Specialty camps help children develop their basketball game, build robots or learn surfing maneuvers.

How socialized is your child? Many parents prefer to send their campers to single-sex camps. Some parents say all-girls camps gives their daughters the chance to excel without being nervous around the opposite sex. Others believe that mixed-gender camps are a good way to socialize children and develop real-world skills.

Will your child know anyone? Talk to other parents from your child’s school or community group and find out where they are sending their children. It never hurts to have a buddy when traveling to a new place.