Summer can be a challenge for children with Attention Deficit Disorder and their parents. Long months of unstructured time loom ahead for children who need both structure and close supervision. Parents worry that their child will not only lose what he learned in the classroom during the school year, but that he also will fall behind in the development of his social skills.

Specialized summer camps for children with ADD can be a great solution. For one thing, getting such children out of urban, indoor environments and into the great outdoors is a proven way to "calm them down." Social scientists can demonstrate that the symptoms of attention deficit disorder actually decrease in outdoor settings: the greener and the more wilderness-like the setting, the greater this effect. Summer camp offers a child with ADD the chance to make new friends, try out new activities like swimming, boating and hiking, and enjoy an adventure away from home – just like other children do.

However, a child with ADD has special needs, which is why she will do better at a specialized camp. For example, the camp needs to have competent people to keep track of and dispense medications. The ratio of staff to campers needs to be very high. Instead of the usual 1:10, it should be more like 1:5. Became of their impulsivity, children with ADD should not be allowed to roam by themselves. Instead, there should be close supervision by well-trained staff members. They teach the children to master social skills on a twenty-four hour basis and yet they avoid turning the camp into just another school.

Here are some factors you should consider when you choose a summer camp for your child.

What kind of students does the camp accept? In general, the other campers should be functioning at both school and at home on at least a fair level. High-functioning autistic children or those with Asperger Syndrome often can successfully join children with ADD, because both groups usually need work on social skills and developing friendships. However, you do not want to place your child in a camp with children with severe and dangerous behaviors, such as fire-setting or sexual acting out. Ask questions about the camp's screening process.

What are the qualifications of staff? Staff members should have specific training in ADD behaviors and management. There should be people qualified in first aid and wilderness emergency. The camp should have access to a hospital or doctor. Find out how many counselors return every year. What is the director's philosophy and background?

How does the camp handle problems? Children get homesick. Children overreact to bugs and critters. Children feel left out and angry and they get into fights.

Some kids are picky eaters. Find out how camp counselors handle such problems. What does it take for a child to get sent home?

How does a typical day at camp go? Your child with ADD needs structure, rules and predictability. The ideal camp should have a schedule with planned activities throughout the day. Yet this schedule should be flexible enough to allow not only for annual camp rituals but also for special events and new adventures. Your child should have the chance to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and make new friends: these things build healthy self-esteem.

Is the camp accredited? The American Camp Association has set up certain guidelines for policies, practices and procedures that camps must have for accreditation. Besides checking for accreditations, get references from parents. What percentage of campers return every year?

If you use these criteria to select a summer camp for your child, you can select a camp where your child will have a safe and happy experience in a great program designed with her in mind.