We apologize - due to an unknown glitch in our email program, yesterday's email went out in a form that was. . .well, let's just say it's not the glossy professionalism we want you to expect from Tell Me Girlfriend! So here goes again. . . Wow! Girlfriends, it is the beginning of March! If you are planning to send your little (or not-so-little) darlings to camp this summer, it is time to get moving! Tell Me Girlfriend doesn't recommend any specific camps, but we have found some sites that will help you to make the decision. A good way to find a camp is to make a list of your requirements. Day or overnight? Wilderness experience or theater arts? How long? There are lots and lots (and lots) of camps, of all different types and there are several that are right for you. Camp Resources is a UK operation, but we like their approach. After you make a list of all of your requirements, visit one of the camp screening sites that we list below. Make a list of only three or four camps that meet your criteria. Remember to keep the focus on your requirements, not on the camp offerings. Look for reasons to exclude the camps from your list. Visit their websites and ask for brochures. Visit the camp, if you can. If you eliminate all of the camps, go back to the screening sites and choose three or four new camps. We're going to give you some criteria to consider, courtesy of the PTA. What medical services are at the camp? What is the ratio of counselors to kids? Are 40 to 60% of the counselors returning from last year? Are the sleeping quarters (if applicable) and bath facilities acceptable? Daily meals should be planned by a nutritionist or a dietitian. Does the camp director have experience? If your child has special needs, can the camp accommodate them? The American Camping Association (ACA) accredits camps that meet their standards. When you have an idea of what type of camp you'd like, we have a collection of search engines at the bottom of this Show and Tell Me that will help you to find camps that fill your needs. Remember, start with a handful and work from there. If you have brochures from 30 different camps you are just going to make yourself and your camper crazy. We have one article that is a little different, but we are including it because we thought it would be useful. If your camper wants a Horse Camp, there is an article all about choosing the right equestrian experience. So there you go. Dive in, the water's fine. Get going, and you'll find the right camp. Remember, trying to find the "perfect" camp will turn this into a nightmare. Camps that are run by professionals know how to make things fun for your kids. Choose a good one, and they'll have a great time. Your Outdoorsy Girlfriends, Suzanne and Alex     Sites for research - handily clickable! How to Search for a Summer Camp PTA recommendations life.familyeducation.com/summer-camp/safety/48186.html?detoured=1 Camp Resources UK campresources.co.uk/articles/Families/choosing-summer-camp:-page-1.html Things to Look For in a Summer Camp PTA recommendations familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,67-6077,00.html ACA accreditation standards acacamps.org/accreditation/07accred_pdfs.php Camp Search Engines Kids Camps - by activity kidscamps.com goCamps.com - by activity gocamps.com/ myCampFinder - enter your criteria mycampfinder.com/ Overnight camps and wilderness programs by state camppage.com My Summer Camps - listings by state mysummercamps.com/camps/summer-camp-guide.html Interested in a horse camp? This UK article gives good guidance campresources.co.uk/articles/Families/horse-camps:-page-1.html An opinion site, like TripAdvisor. Take the advice with a grain of salt, as every business has someone unhappy with it, and anyone can post anything on these. That said, it's Inside Camps insidecamps.com/index.php	Everything you need for camp from our affiliate advertisers! too dark to read in a tent at night?  Never fear your sweet little darling can still be well read at camp even without light. these audio books are great for camp, car travel, air travel,