There are tons of different kinds of kids camps in Singapore. There are sports camps, camps to learn different languages, theatre camps, coding camps, science camps, as example Maker Camp. But there is at least one thing that all of these different kinds of camps have in common: the camp is responsible for the care of children attending camp. A good camp will put the experience and safety of the child above everything else, including profit. Camps should give children opportunities for personal growth, space to increase their independence, and experiences that will help build up their self-esteem. During all these different activities, camps should be a space where children can feel both secure and respected.

While at camp, there are certain rights that both the children and the parent have. In addition to that, there are certain obligations that the children and parents should live up to in order to ensure that camp is a great experience for all of the kids attending. In this article, we are going to go over the rights of children and their parents at camp and the different things that will be expected of them.

The Rights of a Child at Camp

All trustworthy camps should have certain core values that they make sure they adhere to. These core values should be made available for both the children and their parents to read. The following should be included in the core values:

1) Safety

The most important priority of a camp, and the most important right children have at camp, is the right to safety. Children's camps should be completely safe environments for both the children attending and the staff members. This means that precautions should be made to make sure all activities are as safe as possible, security measures should be put into place, and high levels of sanitation should be maintained to keep children safe while at camp.

2) Self-Expression and Choice

While kids may be challenged or pushed out of their comfort zone while at camp, no child should ever be forced into activities that they really do not want or feel comfortable doing. While at camp, children should still be allowed to express their opinions to the staff and make choices for themselves.

3) Tolerance and Respect

While at camp, children should be treated with respect from both other children and staff members. Differences and in beliefs, opinions, and perspectives are a good thing and should be treated as such.

4) Personal Comfort

Children should be able to go to the bathroom whenever they need to, and there should be designated times during the day for bathroom breaks. Children should feel completely comfortable asking staff members for what they need throughout the day.

5) Healthy Environment

Both food and water are important to physical and mental health. Children should have access to water throughout the day, and there should be time for snacks and meals depending on how long the child is at camp.

6) Support

While at camp, all of the kids should feel supported by their teachers and fellow campers/teammates. Mistakes should be viewed as a part of the learning process, so kids should not be penalized or judged for making them.

The Rights of a Parent

Of course, parents have the right to know that their children are safe while at camps, but there are other rights that the parents have in addition to safety. These rights are:

1) Communication

A reputable camp should be totally willing to communicate with parents. They should be willing to answer any questions that the parent might have, and the camp should be completely transparent about all activities and plans.

2) Visibility

Good camps will provide parents with photos and/or videos of their children at camp and doing various activities. These photos and videos will allow a parent to understand what their child is doing and see that they are having fun.

3) Refund of Fees

If a camp is canceled or rescheduled for some reason or if the child is unable to attend due to sickness or injury, a parent should be able to get a refund for the portion of camp that the child moves out on. Different camps have different policies, but there should be some sort of refund option available.

The Obligations of a Child at Camp

Just like children have the right to certain things like safety and respect, there are also certain expectations that a child should have to meet while at camp.

1) Safety

In the rights section, we talked about the child has the right to be safe, but children also have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the other children and staff members. This means a number of different things but includes children staying home if they are sick and telling the teacher if they start to feel sick while at school.

2) Harmony

All children who attend camp should treat the other kids with respect. It is natural that conflict arises between children, but if there is ever a major conflict that cannot be quickly and respectfully resolved, the kids should go to an adult for help resolving the issue.

Why Kids Should Understand Their Rights and Obligations

All kids need to understand what their rights and obligations are when they are at camp. When they have an understanding of what the expectations are, they will be able to help maintain that camp is a run, supportive place for all children to go over their school holiday.

In conclusion, the expectations and rights of both the parents and children while they are at camp are pivotal in ensuring that camps are able to provide enriching and fun environments for children while they are on school holidays. While things like safety and respect are the general expectations and rights that you can expect at every reputable camp in Singapore, you should make sure to ask the specific camp you choose what their other expectations may be.