These summer camp rules have been learned the hard way, mostly by breaking them. I’m here to help you and your kids have awesome summer camp experiences without making the mistakes I did.

One of the best camps my kids have ever attended is the Atlanta Hawks basketball camp. They have attended weeks of this camp for the last 3 years. They learned a lot about basketball of course, but it was also a camp that taught them life skills like teamwork, commitment, and diligent effort. And it was fun for both my boys and my daughter.

The Atlanta Hawks basketball camp is a perfect illustration of summer camp rules that make both kids and parents happy. Whether you opt for a Hawks basketball camp or any other one, if it meets the standards below you’ve got yourself a winner.

Check out this quick video wrap up from kids’ first week at Hawks camp:

7 Summer Camp Rules to Make Everyone Happy

1. Parents are welcome.

While I am occassionally one of those parents who barely slows the car down as I’m dropping the kids off, I still want the option to come in. I appreciated that parents were welcome to stay for the entire day if they wanted to at the Atlanta Hawks basketball camp. (But between you and I…DON’T. Go get some “me” time.)

2. They are organized.

This is one of the easiest summer camp rules and often the first one to be broken. You should know where to go, when to be there, what to bring, and what to expect before you drive up. I received several emails from the Hawks leading up to their camp so I had all the information I needed.

3. Camp starts and ends on time.

This is so important to me because I often feel like I’m breaking my back to get places on time and it irks me when others haven’t been as dilligent. The coaches at the Hawks basketball camp actually got there 30 minutes early and camp ended exactly at 3p.

4. Coaches/instructors are pleasant.

I know summer camp is about the kids, but you want coaches and counselors who are polite and welcoming to parents too. You want to feel open to ask questions and feel comfortable with the place you’re leaving your kids.

5. Kids want to go.

Honestly, this may be one of the summer camp rules that’s hardest for me. Sometimes the kids go to a camp because it fits into my schedule or my budget. Sometimes they go because 1 or 2 of the kids REALLY want to go and the others are forced along. However, if you can find a camp where all your kids look forward to going everyday, you’ve got a winner. Even my daughter, who isn’t as huge of a basketball fan as her brothers was excited about it.

6. Girls are welcome and included.

Many summer camps are single gender. I understand that and believe there’s a place for those camps. However, I don’t always want to segregate my daughter. I want her to experience things with her brothers. The Hawks basketball camp drew a larger percentage of girls than I expected (about 20 percent by my unofficial estimates). They have plenty of female counselors and accepted all the girls as basketball players first.

7. It doesn’t cost too much.

It is astounding how much some summer camps cost. Even half day camps can cost several hundred dollars. However, a costly camp doesn’t necessarily equate to a a good camp. The Hawks basketball camp is $200 for the week. Plus, it comes with practically a whole Hawks wardrobe (jersey, shorts, arm sleeve, socks!)! Just know that this is one of the summer camp rules that will make sessions fill up quickly. So don’t wait!

What are you doing for camps this summer and during holiday breaks? Do you have some summer camp rules you follow?