Many summer camps unregulated

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found that more than 750 summer camps in Georgia are exempt from state regulation, allowing them to legally avoid inspections, criminal background checks for employees and other safeguards designed to keep kids safe. And that’s the camps the state even knows about. Hundreds — perhaps thousands — more simply operate off the books, luring parents with posts on Craigslist, ads in magazines or even signs along the road.

Records obtained by the AJC through open records requests show that the state has issued nearly as many child care exemptions as it has licenses, creating a vast network of care for children that exists with little or no oversight. Parents, legislators and even some camp operators expressed surprise and confusion about what the state requires.

“It really is ‘buyers beware,’” said Pam Tatum, president of Quality Care for Children. “Parents need to educate themselves to really find out what they are getting.”