Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Bethany Mardian, 3, attended the Roanoke Camp Fair with her father, Tony Mardian, and 6-year-old brother, Jacob Mardian, and stopped by Mill Mountain Zoo's display. The Zoo Camp preview included a hands-on preview of a red-tail boa constrictor, which was held by education coordinator Patty Smukall.

Kaile Judge, 6, and her brother Marc Judge, 8, look at photographs of Camp Harrison Herring Ridge with camp director Scott Prevatte. The camp is a YMCA residential camp with a Christian emphasis near Wilksboro, N.C.

Misty McGinnis of Roanoke and her son Colin McGinnis, 2, look at brochures at the Roanoke Camp Fair held recently at Tanglewood Mall.

Sometimes summer camp is all about the three "F's" -- fun, friends and food.

At least that's how Michelle Besser views it.

The 11-year-old attended Camp Bethel, a faith-based camp in Fincastle, a couple of years ago and plans to go back.

"They keep you busy. They usually have good food," Michelle said. And, "you make new friends."

Michelle and her mother, Melanie Besser of Hardy, were browsing booths recently at the sixth annual Roanoke Camp Fair. The Feb. 21 event was in Tanglewood Mall and featured representatives from 19 day and overnight camps in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

The fair offered parents and their children the chance to chat with representatives about the camps and to watch short videos or look at snapshots of some of the fun to be had.

Special guests from Mill Mountain Zoo also showed up, including a screech owl, boa constrictor, chinchilla, ferret and a young alligator.

Camps represented included programs at the zoo and those that are faith-based or focus on youngsters with special needs, as well as camps that target sports and education.

Parents at the fair said they send their kids to camps because it gets them away from the TV in the summer and engaged in activities in which they can learn new skills and make friends.

Melanie Besser sees another benefit that comes later.

"It prepares them for being away from their parents for college," she said. "It's a good experience."

So, how can parents choose the camp that is the best fit for their child?

After considering their interests, here are some tips to keep in mind from Greg Martin, director of Camp Roanoke, which is operated by Roanoke County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism:

Review the qualifications of the camp staff. Learn about how employees there are screened.

Figure out the food service. Find out more about the menu and who is in charge of the service.

Learn about the camp's program and how it is operated. Familiarize yourself with the camp, such as attending an open house.

Check into the costs. Take a look at the fees and weigh the expense and benefits of the program. You may find a camp with the same types of benefits at a lower expense elsewhere.

Find out if the camp is accredited. The American Camp Association was founded in 1910 and accredits all types of camps. Accreditation involves voluntary self-examination and peer review.

For more information about accredited camps, visit www.acacamps.org. For questions about camps in Virginia and West Virginia, call (800) 347-7523 or e-mail acavirginias@acacamps.org.