Starting a Summer day camp need advice from parents!!

[SarahC01]

Hello parents! I have a passion for children and business and decided to use my talents to start an awesome day camp this summer. We will be a mobile day camp in the Orange County, CA area offering door-to-door service. A sampling of what we will do this summer includes...

* Pool time, Ice/Roller Skating, Amusement Parks, Water Parks,Zoo,Irvine Adventure Playground, Irvine Park Railroad, Movies, Parks, Discovery Science Center, Boomer's, Aquarium of the Pacific...
* Camp will be for 8-12 year olds

I would love to get some input from parents on how I can make this camp great from not only a child point of view but their parents as well! I greatly appreciate any advice you have, whether from experience with summer camps, safety issues, activities, age appropriate, etc.

Thank you!!!

Sarah

[Good Wolf]

That is quite an endeavor. How exactly does a mobile camp work? Do you just pick up the gets each day to go to events?

Would you be charging a flat fee or would it be dependant on where you were going that day?

How many kids would you plan on taking on, and how many care givers do you have to assist you?

These are just a few questions that popped in my head that might help me give you some advice.

[SarahC01]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, we would pick them up in 15 passenger vans and take them to wherever we are going for the day. Probably have an AM activity, lunch at a park then a PM activity. Charge a weekly rate which would dependent upon what events we were going to...most likely in the range 200-400...in Southern California so that would be competitive. Look forward to hearing any advice you might have!

[SarahC01]

Oh, and have no idea how many kids at this point as that would depend solely on the amount that sign up. I would have at least 1 adult CPR/first aid certified counselor per 7 kids.

[Trina]

Wow, I see a lot of liability issues just with transporting kids. Look into safety issues concerning 15 passenger vans. They're not the safest vehicles. Also, what about child passenger safety? Do you know how to properly restrain kids of different ages and sizes? Will you be providing car seats and boosters or will that be the parent's responsibility? Who is going to install the car seats? Do you plan on following current child passenger safety recommendations or just covering the current state child restraint laws?

What about food allergies and medical issues? For example, are there any state requirements concerning medication and epi-pen use? Both my kids have severe food allergies and require an Epi-pen and Benadryl to be readily available at all times. Of course, there is paperwork involved, and only certain staff members are allowed to administer meds, etc..

Oh, my oven is beeping, which means dinner is ready. I'll check back later.

[SarahC01]

Yes, I know there is tons of liability...I am currently looking into the kind of insurance that I would need. I have heard that they are not the safest and am also looking into other options for transportation. I do not think that an 8 year old would need a car seat, but could be completely wrong.

I would require all the kids to pack their own lunch so food allergies should not be an issue. There is paperwork parents would have to fill out specific to any medication..have to look into that further. Ohhh all the details involved in starting a business... =(

[Trina]

My 9.5 yr. old DD still rides in a booster and will for a long time yet. My DS (11.5) just graduated out of his booster a few months ago. Kids are safest in boosters until at least 4'9" tall. Sure, some kids will be that tall by 8, but many aren't.

[SarahC01]

Oh ok, thanks for that info...more to look into!

[daddyofone]

aquariums and field trips are great but in my opinion I would try to step outta the normal school style field trips. I would look into fun and exciting career options and so forth. Contact Rick at ock k9. I am sure he could put on a wonderful demo on dog safety and his different occupations as a civilian dog handler. his email is info@ock9.com

Not only could you teach the children cool stuff about abstract occupations but kids love dogs and the ones that dont could possibly overcome their fears! aslo look into school busses or rentals as you know they have to be somewhat up to date on saftey regs. great idea and good luck