January is the moment to make a plan. The holidays are behind us, routines are back, and while summer still feels far away, the days are already getting longer. Having overnight camps, trips, and teen programs on the calendar gives kids something concrete to look forward to and gives parents the relief of knowing it’s handled. A plan doesn’t make winter shorter, but it does make it easier.
This is also the most strategic time to commit. Many of the strongest overnight camps, trips, and teen programs are actively filling now, and session availability is widest in January. Waiting often means fewer choices, less flexibility with dates, and sometimes missing out altogether. Locking plans in early allows families to be intentional rather than reactive—and helps parents plan the rest of the summer, including vacations and special time together.
If summer planning is still on your to-do list, now is the time to move it to “done.” Choose a program that fits your child and your family calendar, commit, and move on. Reach out to Tips on Trips & Camps advisors for help directing you to the best overnight summer program for your child. We are all extremely busy right now working with families to help find the ideal camp, trip, service program or academic experience (sometime a few of the above to fit into the long summer!) – We look forward to working with you!
Much has been written about the rise in loneliness among kids, teens, and adults. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called loneliness an epidemic, leading to public health issues such as addiction, violence, depression and anxiety. As we become more connected via social media and technology, we find ourselves increasingly alone. In his book Together: the Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Murthy describes our world as one that emphasizes the individual, leading to a further breakdown of social connections. In children, the impact is severe, as studies have shown that 40% of kids experience mild to moderate loneliness, and 10% feel severely alone. New York Times writer Kathryn Jezer-Morton recently wrote about the challenges of parenting a lonely child – seeing a child feeling left out or apart from a social group is both painful and worrisome. And as we know, it is difficult as a parent to create a friend group or force a social interaction for a child or teen.
