31 Summer Camp Survey Questions for Better Feedback & Growth

Mid-Session Camper Experience Surveys

Why & When to Use

There’s a magical mid-session moment—kids are bonded, routines are set, and the camper experience questionnaire becomes worth its weight in gold. Real-time feedback makes it possible to fix irritations before they bubble over, ensure all campers feel included, and create memories that last beyond the closing ceremony.

Used about halfway through the session, these surveys are usually brief, targeted, and simple enough for even the youngest campers to answer. The main goal isn’t just to collect data. It’s to show campers their daily joys and challenges matter, which boosts engagement and trust.

Typically, mid-session feedback touches on:
- Favorite activities so far
- Feelings of inclusion and friendship
- Food quality and meal variety
- Immediate suggestions for improvement
- Safety and comfort in daily routines

Capturing these impressions as soon as possible increases accuracy—and helps camp staff intervene quickly if issues arise. Immediate action on summer camp feedback also gives campers a sense of ownership and voice, making them more likely to try new things and return next year.

Five Sample Questions

1. Which activity have you enjoyed the most so far and why?

2. Do you feel included and accepted by other campers?

3. On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the food this week?

4. Is there anything that would make the next few days more fun for you?

5. Have you felt safe during all camp activities?

Implementing mid-session camper evaluations allows camps to address issues promptly, enhancing camper satisfaction and program quality. (acacamps.org)

End-of-Session Camper Satisfaction Surveys

Why & When to Use

The end of camp is a rollercoaster of hugs, goodbyes, and last bursts of excitement—making it the perfect time for a camp satisfaction survey. Collecting reflections just before campers leave ensures memories are fresh, emotions are high, and feedback is honest and rich.

Deploying these surveys as part of pack-up time or right before departure highlights what delighted campers, which traditions they loved, and which staff worked magic. It’s also the best chance to grab valuable testimonials you can use for next year’s marketing or web pages.

End-of-session surveys reveal:
- Most loved moments or camp activities
- Staff members who made a difference
- Suggestions for improvement—big or small
- Loyalty indicators (intent to return, refer, or recommend)
- Pain points that could reduce retention

Done right, this round of camper experience questionnaire helps prioritize changes for next season, protect cherished traditions, and spotlight the irreplaceable campers-and-staff relationships that make your camp unique.

Five Sample Questions

1. What was your favorite memory from this session?

2. Which staff member made the biggest positive impact on you?

3. If you could change one thing about camp, what would it be?

4. How likely are you to return next summer (1–10)?

5. Would you recommend this camp to a friend? Why or why not?

Post-Camp Parent Satisfaction Surveys

Why & When to Use

The first week after campers return home, parents get the inside scoop—the good, the late-night homesick calls, the sudden new archery obsession. Camp parent surveys sent soon after camp closes help uncover fresh, honest perspectives from home.

Why bother? Because parents see details campers might gloss over, and their insights reveal how well the camp’s promises matched reality. This round of summer camp feedback captures both the wow and the “hmm…” that shapes whether families will return.

These surveys shine a light on:
- Overall parent satisfaction
- Perceived safety and care
- Noticeable skill growth and new behaviors
- Communication quality between staff and families
- Any lingering questions or barriers to re-enrollment

Done promptly, post-camp surveys are gold for refining registration communications and pinpointing ways to improve the home-to-camp transition next year.

Five Sample Questions

1. How satisfied are you with your child’s overall camp experience?

2. Did the camp meet the safety standards you expected?

3. What new skills or behaviors have you noticed in your child since returning?

4. How clear and timely was camp communication before and during the session?

5. What would encourage you to re-enroll next year?

Post-camp parent satisfaction surveys are crucial for assessing overall satisfaction, safety perceptions, skill development, communication quality, and re-enrollment likelihood.

Staff Feedback Surveys

Why & When to Use

No one knows the daily camp hustle like the people who make it run: the staff. Staff feedback surveys are collected as soon as contracts are over, when experiences—the good, the challenging, and the weird—are still top of mind. These surveys help camps retain talented staff, improve training, and spot potential issues before next year.

The end-of-season timing is critical; wait too long and memories fade (or are replaced by memories of sleeping in). The staff perspective is essential for balancing the schedule, refining policies, and boosting morale.

Top areas covered include:
- Effectiveness of pre-camp training
- Resource or support needs during camp
- Most rewarding job moments
- Responsiveness of leadership
- Likelihood of returning or referring a friend

Listening closely to staff isn’t just about fixing complaints. It’s about igniting staff pride and building a loyal, motivated summer crew for years to come. The secret to a five-star summer camp evaluation? Happy campers AND happy staff.

Five Sample Questions

1. How would you rate the effectiveness of the pre-camp training?

2. Which resources did you lack while supervising campers?

3. What did you find most rewarding about working here?

4. How supportive was camp leadership when issues arose?

5. Would you return to work next season? Why or why not?

Program Evaluation Surveys (Activity-Specific)

Why & When to Use

Archery a hit? Robotics a bust? Program evaluation surveys help camps zoom in on which activities spark lifelong interests and which need a serious makeover. These surveys drill down into separate blocks (swimming, wilderness, STEM, arts) and should hit inboxes within 24–48 hours of finishing each program for maximum recall.

By separating feedback for each activity, camps can:
- Track which programs drive excitement or disappointment
- Realign skill levels to keep kids challenged but not overwhelmed
- Spot gaps in training or equipment for instructors
- Gather inspiration for future schedule tweaks
- Target testimonials by interest or age group

This isn’t about overhauling after every single canoe race flop. It’s about gradual nudges that keep your activity library interesting and inclusive—one well-timed summer camp evaluation at a time.

Five Sample Questions

1. Rate your interest in this activity before camp and now.

2. Did you feel challenged at the right skill level?

3. How clear were the instructor’s explanations and demonstrations?

4. What equipment or resources could improve this program?

5. Would you choose this activity again next year?

Safety & Wellness Surveys

Why & When to Use

No matter how picturesque the lake or how goofy the talent show, safety and wellness are the foundation of every camp session. Safety & wellness surveys come in two main flavors: short weekly check-ins and longer end-of-camp assessments.

Running these surveys weekly can flag allergies, dietary needs, or emotional bumps early—so staff can respond quickly before issues snowball. Longer, more detailed forms at camp’s end track overall health management, emotional well-being, and what can be improved next summer for even better care.

Key wellness topics include:
- Medication routines and access
- Bullying or unsafe behavior
- Allergy and dietary support
- Comfort discussing health concerns with staff
- Suggestions for increasing camper safety

Keeping campers healthy isn’t just a goal, it’s a must—so prompt, age-appropriate summer camp feedback on wellness means everything.

Five Sample Questions

1. Did you receive your medications on schedule every day?

2. Have you experienced bullying or witnessed unsafe behavior?

3. How well did the camp handle allergies or special dietary needs?

4. On a scale of 1–10, how comfortable did you feel discussing health concerns with staff?

5. What improvements can be made to keep campers healthier and safer?

Alumni Follow-Up Surveys

Why & When to Use

Even after the tents are packed and s’more sticks are scrubbed, the impact of camp can echo for years. Alumni follow-up surveys keep that connection alive, tracking long-term outcomes, discovering which traditions stuck, and building a community that sings camp songs at weddings.

These should be sent six months to a year after a session (or annually) to past campers. They capture the true legacy of your summer camp and can spark counselor or donor interest.

Long-term alumni surveys uncover:
- Which life skills endure
- Lasting friendships and contact rates
- How often camp is recommended
- Unforgettable traditions or quirky games
- Interest in returning as counselor-in-training, staff, or supporter

Long after lanyards are lost, alumni feedback helps camps grow, diversify, and inspire new generations.

Five Sample Questions

1. What life skills learned at camp are you still using today?

2. How often do you stay in touch with friends made at camp?

3. Have you recommended our camp to others since attending?

4. Which camp traditions stand out most in your memories?

5. Are you interested in returning as a CIT, counselor, or donor?

Best Practices: Dos & Don’ts for Summer Camp Surveys

Crafting a five-star summer camp feedback system is both art and science. There are real tricks—and a few pitfalls—to navigating camp surveys with style and honesty.

Top things to do:
- Keep questions age-appropriate for campers, using playful language where possible
- Mix up question types: include ratings, checklists, and open-ended gems
- Offer anonymity when asking for tricky or sensitive feedback
- Time surveys to fit energy peaks and memory freshness (not during lunch, not on the bus home)
- Make a show of acting on feedback: share improvements and say thanks!

Common don’ts:
- Overload families or campers with a never-ending stream of questions
- Use leading questions that make it hard to be honest
- Wait too long after camp sessions—details get fuzzy quickly
- Brush off or hide negative feedback; it’s as important as the positive
- Ever reveal personal information in public summaries or testimonials

Following these bright ideas ensures your camp satisfaction survey inspires truthful answers—with just enough cheek to keep campers smiling.

Collecting thoughtful summer camp feedback at every step is how great camps become legendary. Each survey is a secret handshake—a promise to listen, improve, and keep summer magical year after year. Consistent curiosity, clever timing, and creative questions transform basic forms into engines of camp joy and community. And that’s how you keep the campfire burning long after the last marshmallow’s gone.