Tips on Trips and Camps was started on a kitchen table in 1971 by two Baltimore women who felt summers were important growth opportunities for students. A summer program advisory service was a new concept, as most families at that time chose summer programs that their neighbors or their friends recommended rather than what would meet their child’s specific needs. Keeping the service free for families was a key element in the development of the Tips model. Initially their focus was on teen experiences, and they soon after added camps to their offerings. They carefully chose programs to represent by reaching out and interviewing directors, ensuring that the advice they gave was informed and accurate. 

What started as a small company using index cards on a kitchen table soon expanded to advisors in NY, DC, and CT. In 1997, the creators of Tips on Trips and Camps sold the business to two of their advisors. By 1980, the company had grown to advisors all over the US and in Paris, England, and Brussels.  At that point a trademark was secured, a computer/data person was hired, and Tips had moved off the kitchen table. 

There was concern that the concept of Tips on Trips and Camps would be irrelevant with the advent of personal computers and accessibility of information on the web. Happily, that was not the case, and in fact, parents found our services even more valuable and important. Websites all look wonderful, but parents want to know what the camp or trip is “really” like from people who have seen it in action. What kinds of kids attend? Who is the director? What are the strengths of the programming? With that information offered by a personal Tips advisor with knowledge of over 600 camps and trips, parents are able to make an educated decision.

In 2024 Tips was again sold to one of the advisors, who now becomes the 3rd owner of this wonderful company.