Dr. Janet Kemp is a school psychologist and director of the Reading Clinic. As the mother of two little girls (aged four and seven) she has some firm opinions on what to ask about and what to look for when considering any organised summer activity for your child.

She suggests that you keep in mind the following ten sensible questions which should be asked about any organised activity your child is going to join this summer.

What is the timetable for a day of the camp? The child does not need a day that is too long or too demanding.

How many children will be participating? Too many kids in the activity can mean that the child can become lost.

What is the age range? If the age range is too broad, then the youngest child may find it hard to keep up and the teenager might become bored.

How many supervisors will there be, and what are the ages of the supervisors? The ratio of supervisor to child is an important figure. And if the supervisors are too young, can they manage the kids? If the supervisors are too old will they lose patience with them? How many of your supervisors are qualified lifesavers, know CPR, and are competent in First Aid? Accidents can and do happen. Who will step forward and be the practical, knowledgeable first help at the scene? Will the child be challenged? Home-based camps are the ones to watch. Are they just a baby-sitting service? What will they do with the kids all day? How strict is the camp? Not too much regimentation, please. Sensible safety rules, but the organisers must remember that summer is a break from the regimentation of school and class.

What does it cost? Although that shouldn't be the first consideration, in these times of recession and budget-trimming, the full cost of the camp needs to be known before you make the commitment.

Will the schedule fit our timetable? Parents must consider their own timetable and commitments. What is the point of a programme that finishes at 3:00 p.m. if the child has to loiter in town waiting for mom or dad to finish work at 5:00 p.m.? What did last year's customers think of the camp? Word of mouth is an important criterion, Dr. Kemp believes. What do last year's parents and their kids think of the way things were run? What was it that they didn't like? Will they be going again this year? Dr. Kemp says that another advantage to the summer activities is the opportunity that the child has to mix with a cross-section of children from all walks of life, children that your child may not encounter in the smaller world of school and home.

DR. JANET KEMP -- `Camp gives children the opportunity to mix with a cross-section of children from all walks of life'.