Summer camp season will soon be here. Throngs of children will board buses each morning or pack their parents' cars full of essentials to survive a few weeks away from home. Families getting prepared for camp may consider the following suggestions to ensure that kids have an enjoyable time away.

When selecting a camp, parents may want to find out if the camp is accredited. To receive accreditation, camps must meet more than 300 standards related to program quality, safety, and health, according to the American Camp Association.

A child's readiness also should be considered. There is no magic age when a child will be ready to go to camp, but generally, kids who are ages 7 or 8 may be able to start a resident sleep-away camp. Kids may begin day camp as early as age 3, the same age many kids begin attending preschool. Parents should consider whether the child has spent time away from home at friends' or family members' houses; without these preparatory experiences, kids might be better off attending a day camp.

Parents are encouraged to enable children to connect with fellow campers. If possible, attend a meet-and-greet prior to the start of the season. Neighborhood day camps tend to draw kids from local communities, so there is already a chance kids will know a few fellow campers.

Once at camp, kids should introduce themselves to camp counselors and other program directors early on, and kids are urged to ask questions about specific programs. Counselors can direct campers toward activities they may enjoy.

Much of summer camp will likely be smooth sailing, but it is reasonable to expect some bumps along the way. Campers should not expect perfection, but instead, if something goes awry, they should use the situation as a learning experience on how to handle adversity and try to find the fun in it anyway. Even a medical situation can be overcome, particularly because camps staff qualified medical personnel to ensure children are safe and well.

Summer camp can be a great experience, especially when families take pre-camp measures aimed at ensuring kids have a fun season.