The camp bus plays an important role in the separation that takes place as your child enters the world of sleep away camp. By the time campers arrive at camp they will have at least one friend and be able to sing a camp song or two. You do not want your child to be the last one entering the cabin after the bus has arrived – with his parents in tow!  Nor do you want a nervous time waiting for bunkmates to arrive on the bus if your child arrives early with his parents.  Your child will feel more comfortable with other excited campers rather than their nervous parents.

The bus is also an opportunity to learn about all the fun activities at camp.  Water sports, land sports, climbing walls, science and nature activities, specialty camp programming and what the food is like.

So trust your child to be able to handle the separation.  Camp is designed to foster independence.  Give your child a vote of confidence, a hug and a wave as the bus drives off.  You will not regret it.

If your child is going on a teen summer trip be sure to discuss the rules that has been sent to you ahead of time. Many programs ask parents and student to sign an agreement that indicates understanding of these rules. The programs are very clear about acceptable and non-negotiable behaviors. They reference alcohol, drugs and behavior so there should be no misunderstanding about what you as a parent expects and what the program will accept. Leave valuable cameras and iPads, iPods and cell phones home. It is very easy for them to be damaged or lost on a wilderness trip or teen tour and often the programs prohibit them. Check to see what is allowed and then determine what can be brought with the understanding that these items are at risk. It is a great opportunity for kids to unplug and focus on face to face interactions. Discuss communication between parents and kids and what they should expect. Kids on an adventure trip might not have access to phones and cell phones often do not work in rural locations.

Successful summer experiences change kids lives and open doors to unexpected opportunities.

Yes! If you want your child to learn to…

• Negotiate with peers and advocate for themselves at summer camp
• Gain self esteem through testing themselves beyond their perceived limits on a wilderness trip
• Be part of another culture from the inside out on a language immersion experience
• See how happy people can be with far less stuff than we have on a community service trip
• Make friends for life going on a summer experience of any kind

A summer program offers students much more than something to do. It helps them grow and develop.

How often do you feel frustrated when searching the web looking for something for your child to do this summer? Traditional and specialty camps,  travel camps, wilderness expeditions, community service?   What is right for my child?

How often do you wish you could speak with a real person to ask a few specific questions about your child’s summer?  What are the differences?  What questions should I ask?  What is age appropriate?

Everyone is asking their neighbors, online chat rooms and rating websites where to send their child to camp.  Why not ask a real person who has visited over 400 camps and has information not available in a camp brochure.

We are real people waiting to speak to you. Our expertise is available to you free of charge.  1 866 222-TIPS

• Follow the directions only pack what is necessary! If it says 2 duffles only bring 2 duffles!
• Plastic containers may break, don’t over stuff.
• Place Pillow sheets and blankets into large garbage bags in case of inclement weather.
• Zip Lock all toiletries.
• Place a list of packed items in the bottom of each duffle or trunk. Keep a copy for yourself.
• Pack a letter to your child as well as a little treat. A special photo or a new stuffed animal. Label everything.
• Label, Label, Label- Before I put everything in the bags I label and list. I sit down with 3 items. Sticker labels for clothing and shoes (Label Daddy), permanent stamper for socks and undergarments (Cloz & Camp Spot), and labels with our name and if lost call… for all valuable items and sports equipment (also cloz and Camp Spot).  Sorry I am not one for the sew in labels definitely less expensive but time consuming.
• If you have any pertinent information to share with the camp staff and or your child’s cabin leader you may choose to include a letter here. Please note some camps have staff unpack for the campers others have the campers do it themselves. Check to see so that your camper may be prepared.

Three of my favorite websites to prep for packing!
Cloz Camp Outfitters – Clothing, Supplies, and Accessories for Youth Camps
‎The Camp Spot- Camp Suppliers
Label Daddy – Label the things you love… (Get 10%off use the code Tipsontrips)

Happy Packing!

Camp visits give parents unique opportunities to see the facilities, meet the camp Directors and staff, while seeing current campers engaged in their activities. Each child, when thinking about attending a sleepaway camp, will have unique ideas about what is important to them. Perhaps it is necessary to have a riding stable, or a ropes course, or multiple athletic fields. Is it preferable to be on a lake, or to have a swimming pool at the camp? What is the condition of the tennis courts? Are they clay or har-tru? Also important are the conditions of the bunks. How big are they? Are there bathrooms in the bunks? Is there a shower house? Each parent, and child, has a different order of importance regarding facilities, which is why it is necessary to make an individual decision – not just what your neighbor, or cousin chose.

Of course, visiting a camp is not always possible, depending on schedules and timing. Many camp websites now have “virtual tours”, which are helpful or photos/maps of the camp layout.

With summer 2013 approaching quickly, now is the time to schedule tours if your child is thinking about camp for 2014.

Mark Twain

By allowing our children to explore and discover, we allow them to grow! Summer is the time….so many choices…sleep away camps, sports camps, teen travel, wilderness adventures, biking trips, sailing adventures, language immersion, college campus study, community service, creative and performing arts camps……! The options are endless!  Explore…Dream….Discover.

-       Call the director. Don’t simply speak to whoever answers the phone; speak to the person who runs the camp!

-       Ask the tough questions: supervision, safety, staff qualifications, facilities, food, medical.

-       Call references

Once you have completed a thorough camp search, go with your gut. There is such a thing as overthinking this decision, so trust your instincts. If you wait too long, camp will be full!

There is no substitute for a conversation with a family whose child currently goes to a camp or has gone on a teen travel program. Ask them specific and detailed questions about their child’s experience. What did they love? What was not so good? How did the camp handle any concerns the parents had? How was the staff?

Decisions about where to go to sleepaway camp are multi-year decisions. Close the loop and finish the job by calling references.