How to choose a children's camp in the Nizhny Novgorod region: tips for parents

      May 28, 2026 08:34 Society NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova The school year has come to an end. Ahead is the summer vacation season in children's camps. How to choose a camp and prepare your child for the trip, read in the material from NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." In the summer of 2026, there will be more than 1,100 camps operating in the Nizhny Novgorod region. These include not only outdoor facilities but also day camps, tent camps, as well as labor and recreation camps. If day camps are usually organized based on schools where children study, parents should approach the selection of an outdoor camp with particular care. Natalia Polyashova, head of the professional education and upbringing department of the Nizhny Novgorod region's Ministry of Education, recommends first checking the presence of the institution in the official registry on the regional ministry's website. Only camps included in the registry undergo mandatory control by Rospotrebnadzor, the State Fire Supervision, and the interdepartmental commission. In addition, parents can receive compensation for part of the cost of the voucher. To do this, it is necessary to purchase a voucher to a camp from the official registry and submit documents for reimbursement, including through the state services portal. "I want to draw attention to the fact that only those camps that are in the registry, and only for their purchase, is it possible to receive compensation," Polyashova said at a press conference at the NOIC on May 27. Special attention should be paid to the preparation of documents. In particular, it is necessary to obtain a medical certificate in form 079/u in advance. Parents are also advised to study the camp programs on their websites so that the vacation is not only health-improving but also educational, with the opportunity to acquire new skills. Polyashova warns: some organizations use the word "camp" in the name without legal grounds. "You should not rely solely on the wording 'camp.' In our country, this is a legally established status, and the requirements for organizing a camp are clearly defined by sanitary and epidemiological rules and norms," the expert noted. Information about such cases is forwarded to Rospotrebnadzor and the prosecutor's office. Alla Agapova, head of the department for the hygiene of children and adolescents at the regional Rospotrebnadzor office, reported that all camps from the official registry undergo sanitary and epidemiological expertise. Specialists check the infrastructure, and throughout the summer campaign, there is constant monitoring of the quality of drinking water, food, and prepared dishes. The territories are also inspected for ticks. According to Agapova, parents should study the accommodation conditions on the camp's website in advance, discuss them with the child, and also clarify the organization of meals and the procedure for parent days. At the same time, it is not advisable to bring perishable food for children—only those that can be consumed within two to three days are allowed. When packing a child for camp, the specialist advises using the "pair rule": for example, take two toothbrushes in case one is lost. Personal hygiene items—brush, comb, and towel—should be strictly individual. Clothing should be chosen considering the changeable weather, and a headwear should definitely be included. It is also possible to take children's repellents and sunscreen. It is helpful to pack the suitcase together with the child and make two lists of items—one to keep for yourself and the other to give to the child. It is advisable to label the luggage. It is prohibited to bring sharp and cutting objects, gas canisters, pyrotechnics, flares, and laser pointers to the camp. Parents are also advised not to give children expensive equipment and to limit the number of gadgets. "After all, summer is a time for rest. You need to be outdoors, move more, and relax," Agapova noted. In addition, children should be reminded of basic safety rules: wash hands more often, drink only safe water, do not touch animals, do not pick unknown berries, and do not leave the camp territory without supervision. It was previously reported that the cost of meals in school camps in Nizhny Novgorod has increased. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+