Summer Camp allows children to learn and play in a healthy, secure, and friendly environment. Some of the questions a parent should ask when looking for a camp that has been permitted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are:

• Is summer camp what I really want for my child?
• Do I want it to be close to home or work?
• Do the hours fit my schedule?
• Would I feel comfortable leaving my child there?
• Can I afford it?

Parents will answer these questions differently according to their situation and the needs of their child. However, there are some basics things that all parents should look for in a camp. The following document, prepared by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation, tells you what some of those things are and suggests how you can find them.

Getting Started

• Ask the operator of the camp you are interested in if he or she has applied for a permit from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
• Get referrals from other parents, friends or relatives who have had experience with a particular camp.
• Use this website or request a copy of the Department's summer camp directory to find a conveniently located camp.
• Visit different campsites and speak with different camp directors to determine which one most closely meets your child's needs.
• Choose a program that fosters a healthy and safe environment, while providing a variety of recreational activities.