What
is the student-teacher ratio?
The American Camping Association, which has over
2,000 summer program listings, recommends one staff
member for every eight campers. At CSG Summer Programs,
the average ratio is about 1:7 throughout the program;
1:6 in the pool; and about 1:5 for the preschool
children. We set specific student limits for each
program in order to maintain a close relationship
and to insure a safe and personal experience for
each student. We regret that the closing of some
classes and programs may be disappointing, but it
is our way of assuring a quality experience for
all.
How are faculty and
counselors selected and hired?
The success and safety of any program depends on
the ability of the faculty and staff to provide
the finest educational opportunities available.
Our faculty consists of about 75 teachers and counselors
from CSG and the Columbus community. The academic
faculty are all certified teachers, most with years
of experience in childhood education. Our afternoon
program and sports camp staff are chosen for their
expertise and experience in outdoor education.
We are particularly proud of our counselors. They
are the heart of any summer staff and their selection
is of the utmost importance. Many programs rely
on high school students for the majority of their
counseling staff, but at CSG Summer Programs, 90
percent of our assistants are college students who
are interested in childhood education. The high
school students we select are most often from CSG
and have demonstrated their responsibility and character
throughout the year. They are always placed in supporting
roles to certified teachers and staff.
What kind of training
does the staff receive and what certifications are
required?
CSG Summer Programs is the only local summer camp
to require both Red Cross First Aid and Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) certification for all of its
college and high school counselors, as well as its
afternoon adventure and sports camp staff. Because
so many of our activities take place off campus
in the Columbus community, we believe it prudent
for the whole staff to be prepared for emergencies
that might arise.
How is the swimming
program organized and how is the pool used throughout
the day?
Our swimming program is staffed by eight teachers
who hold Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and Life
Saving (LS) certifications and one assistant with
Life Saving certification who acts as the lifeguard
and deck manager during lessons. Morning swimming
lessons begin in the preschool program (ages 4 and
5 only) and continue through advanced stages in
accordance with the Red Cross program. Upon completion
of each skill level, students will receive an appropriate
certification card. Our swimming program has had
great success in helping young children adjust to
the water, all the while providing them with confidence
and safety skills. This year, elementary diving
will be a part of each swimming class at appropriate
skill levels.
In the afternoon, the pool is used for preschool
instruction (afternoon or full-day students only)
and as a recreational option for the Great Day!
Afternoon Adventure Program and Chess Camp. We provide
the towels and lifeguards - the fun just happens!
How are the Great
Day! Afternoon Adventure Programs organized?
We group the afternoon adventure programs by grade
levels since we always focus on age-appropriate
activities. The age groupings for Great Day! are
1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8.
Each grouping has its own coordinator and staff
of counselors who focus on getting to know the kids,
working with them in the pool and supervising the
field trips. We have found that this organization
allows us to get to know students quickly and provide
a personal touch at each grade level. You have been
provided with all of the information regarding activities
for each group on the first day of the term. You
may consult our web site for any updates
and changes to the weekly schedule. Lydia Faidiga
oversees the afternoon programs, and the afternoon
coordinators, Dana McGlocklin (gr. 1-4) and Tisha
Johnson (5-8), organize all activities and are available
to answer any specific questions.
How will my children
be transported on field trips and in the Great Day!
Afternoon Adventure Programs?
Transportation for Early Childhood Program field
trips (grades 1-3), the tennis shuttle to Kirk Campus
and the Great Day! Afternoon Adventure programs
is provided in two CSG buses (24 and 48 passenger)
driven by certified personnel. On occasion, we may
also transport students in CSG seven-passenger vans,
which are maintained by CSG and licensed by the
state of Ohio.
