CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPORTS CAMP
As the school year comes to an end, many parents and guardians are seeking activities to occupy their children’s time during the vacation. A sports camp is one option that parents can consider. However, parents should choose sports camps carefully. Inquiries should be made regarding whether the camp promoter is registered with the National Governing Body or Regional Association for the sport and/or the Department of Sport for multidiscipline camps.
While everyone must start somewhere, a camp promoter with previous experience is suggested. Parents should consider the target group and the number of participants catered for. Safety and security is priority. Examine the proposed camp venues before deciding. Ask whether venue approvals were obtained, a risk assessment was done and an evacuation plan was prepared. Query whether camp staff are trained in safety measures such as First Aid and CPR.
The camp promoter should have dispatched letters to the nearest hospital, health centre and police station informing them of the camp. Find out whether this was done and consider the proximity of the camp venue to those agencies before deciding on a camp venue. A parental permission document for your child’s participation should not be signed until you are aware whether the camp promoter has obtained liability insurance for participants.
Find out whether meals and drinking water would be provided and, if yes, ask about the nutritional content of the meals. A parental permission document should enquire whether your child has allergies, food related or otherwise, and if there are meals that you do not wish for your child to consume. If meals are not being provided, then ensure that you send your child with adequate food and drinking water.
At a minimum, the Head Coach should be certified in the relevant sporting discipline, if not all coaches. Further all camp staff should possess valid Certificates of Good Character. For those parents who seek to keep their children involved in sport after the camp concludes, a camp promoter with linkages to clubs within the community may be a preferred choice. Whatever your goal or purpose, assess carefully before you choose.
About The Author
Rixon Powder is a former Primary School Teacher and has been a Sport Services Officer for the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago for over five years, having previously served the Department of Education, Tobago House of Assembly as a Sport Officer for a similar period. He is a former Vice Chairman of the Tobago Athletic Committee and former Vice President of the Primary Schools’ National Track and Field Association. He graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.Sc. in Sports Management and recently completed the M.Sc. Sports Management program at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for general knowledge only. You are responsible for how you act on the information. Form decisions based on the article at your own free will and at your own risk. This legal disclaimer applies for ALL the articles written by the author Rixon L. Powder.