Tips on Trips and Camps

Experts on Overnight Camps & Trips for Kids and Teens

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Volunteerism For Teens–Learn About Programs that Help Create Societal Change

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Climate Change~Endangered Animals & Marine life~Social Issues & Racial Justice~The Environment~Worldwide Hunger~Children in Underserved Communities in the US & Around the Globe….All issues affecting teens and at the forefront of the next generation. 

For Summer ’22, if your teen is interested in being an agent of change alongside like-minded others, you’re invited to learn about student volunteerism programs. We welcome you to join Tips on Trips and Camps VIRTUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS FAIR—TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 @ 7PM EST.
Hear from directors as they describe communities in need as well as service projects students will plan, implement and execute. The time to plan for summer is today!
Register by using the link below:
 
LINK TO SIGN UP GOOGLE FORM

WHAT’S NEW FOR SUMMER ’22

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The Tips on Trips and Camps team just spent three days meeting with summer camp and teen program directors learning about the successes of summer 2021 and planning for summer 2022. It was wonderful to be together in person as a team and have so many directors come to present.

This is what we learned…

  • Following the successes of summer 2021, overnight camps for kids and teens will stay true to the values and activities that have been the mainstay of their summer programming. They successfully made adjustment for Covid protocols but reported that camp was still wonderful and more important than ever for children’s development.
  • Depending on the status of Covid and vaccination recommendations, most teen programs and many camps will require that campers and staff be vaccinated.
  • Teen travel programs will aim high with many destinations listed on their websites. We feel, and programs agree, it makes sense that families should discuss a second trip choice in case the first-choice trips are not available due to travel restrictions.
  • There is increased interest from teens for career focused programs and the options to dive deep with hands on experiences in medical, business, law, neuroscience, entrepreneurship, public health, engineering and more will be offered on pre-college campus programs. Some of these are available to middle schoolers as well as high school students.
  • Parents are enrolling their students now, and camps, pre-college enrichment, language immersion, community service and teen travel experiences are filling earlier than ever before. Many offer generous cancellation guidelines and some offer early enrollment incentives, be sure to ask about them.

    To make the most of summer 2022, start your research now!

SUMMER CAMP MEMORIES IN A BOTTLE

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As these last days of summer fade into early fall, bottle up some sunshine🌞 and carefree vibes 😊for when the sky turns to gray. For sunny summer reflections that your child can use to get through the winter blues, follow these simple directions to have your son or daughter create his/her own ‘Summer Camp Memories in a Bottle’!

To make:

1. After your child finishes a favorite drink, wash out the bottle and remove outer label. Dry the inside thoroughly.

2. Have your camper write short anecdotes that remind them of favorite times at camp. Use different colored paper for each memory. These anecdotes could be names of friends or favorite counselors, activities, feelings, firsts, ways that camp was empowering.

3. Write one memory on each very small piece of colored paper, fold up and place into bottle. Screw on the top.

4. Design a ‘Summer Camp Memories in a Bottle’ outer label and glue onto outside of bottle.

5. Place on your child’s desk or designated personal space. Encourage him or her to open and shake out one or two folded anecdotes at times throughout the year.

As your child reads and reflects on happy memories from camp, it will help brighten long winter days and keep excitement strong for all that awaits come Summer 2022 🌞

 

SUMMER 2021 IS FULL OF SURPRISES!

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Kudos to the many overnight camps that are successfully giving kids the chance to be kids this summer. None of us will likely take for granted again the simplicity of unplugging from devices and having good old-fashioned, in-person fun. As parents we understand how the uncertainty of the past year and a half has made many decisions harder and more complicated than ever before, but we’re so glad that many parents had the confidence to send their kids to summer programs.

We can report that our sleep away camps got off to a great start! They tested kids for Covid, created “safe zones,” and, when quarantine finished, let campers play freely without masks to the delight of all. Many of our families told us that while the transition for both parents and kids to camp was more challenging this year, once camp was in full swing, there was a welcomed sense of calm, normalcy, and routine. Campers and parents both relaxed into their experience and, in all the most important ways, it has been a typical summer at camp.

Around this time in the overnight camp season, in a normal year, there would have been much preparation and planning by camps and parents for visiting day.  Most camps decided not to have an in person visiting day due to Covid related concerns. Many chose FaceTime sessions so that kids and parents can have a chance for face-to-face communication, albeit virtual. They put together special treats for the campers and live streamed events around camp for parents to watch. The feedback we have gotten is that it was a good decision and a huge success.  While Moms and Dads are only getting virtual hugs, camp bubbles remain intact and after the call, campers are able to jump back in and enjoy their home away from home.

Summer 2021 camp season is full of surprises. The Tips Team hope that summer experiences will leave you and your children re-charged and ready for the fall. We’re looking forward to hearing all about your child’s summer.

 

THINKING ABOUT A GAP EXPERIENCE (MAYBE)?.…. THIS SUMMER IS THE TIME TO EXPLORE.

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Many families are grappling with the repercussions of having had students begin their college experience in this unprecedented year of all years. Bottom line, more students, of all levels, are seriously evaluating alternative, yet productive, ways to spend this Fall (and/or year). A combination of working, interning, and participating in a gap experience (including a service component) offer an array of optimal choices.

Invigorating and immersive, the gap experience builds life skills in every participant. Often life changing, definitely transformative, 17-23 year olds will be hands-on in learning by doing, working alongside others like them and others nothing like them and delving into adventures large and small. Together as a group, college-aged students, create lasting impact both within themselves and upon those with whom they interact. Whatever each student takes away from his/her gap experience is personal, however every student will be touched and therefore, changed in some positive way.

Things to think about when considering a gap year experience:

  • Region of the Country or world (remote terrain or cities; USA or Abroad)
  • Adventure activities (what does the student like—this can be a mix of new and/or things he/she has had prior experience with)
  • Philosophy of the program (this may be found on organizations’ websites or you can speak with directors and ask)
  • Timing of program (A Summer/Fall job or internship might be worked around the gap program schedule)
  • Academic credit (if important to you, know that some programs offer academic credit through specific universities; check websites or you can ask directors).

The value of the gap experience is forever. If this is something you might be thinking about, we are more than happy to hear your reasoning, listen and help guide you toward the right program that best meets your criteria.

Please feel free to reach out to any of us on the Tips team @ www.Tipsontripsandcamps.com.

Happy to be part of the Tips Team!

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Last week, long, big trucks drove up and down towns everywhere picking up massive sleepaway camp duffle bags filled with a summer’s necessities – from towels to bedding to sports equipment to bug spray – all with different camp destinations.  Watching these pick-ups always fills me with emotion as I envision the happy summers the children have in store for them: long hot days filled with exciting new activities and adventures, new friendships and old ones rekindled after a long school year. There are so many opportunities for new discoveries and experiences that will happen in an arts and crafts room, on a beautiful lake or around a campfire.

I am thrilled to join the Tips on Trips and Camps Team for the New York City market as an advisor – a dream job and the perfect fit for me.   Having been an avid camper myself, and mother of three campers, I have vast experiences (both good and bad!) and believe my insight will be tremendously helpful as I share summer options with families.

This winter and spring I have done a deep dive on sleepaway camps and summer programs for older children.  There are so many incredible opportunities out there waiting to be explored – from academics to sailing to eco-adventures and language immersion.  I have seen from personal experience with my own children, how enriching these experiences can be.   Companies work all year planning itineraries and experiences and our children are the lucky ones who get to be the beneficiary of all this work!

As we move on to the summer of 2021, the Tips on Trips and Camps Team wish everyone an incredible summer. Savor all the new experiences and friendships, they’ll have a life-long impact and it’s what makes our job as summer program advisors incredibly rewarding.

SUMMER IS HERE AND WE ARE CELEBRATING!

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WOW, what a difference a year makes! Tips on Trips and Camps advisors enthusiastically helped thousands of families find overnight camps and teen experiences for summer 2021. It was an interesting ride to get to this moment, and I am so proud of our trusted team. Like the directors of the programs we represent, we are “camp people,” so it’s no surprise that our team figured out new ways to advise and help our families. Camp fairs canceled? No problem, we offered them virtually. Camp visits postponed? We Zoomed and Zoomed and Zoomed some more with hundreds of our programs. Some of our veteran advisors decided the time was right to move on, and we now have two new advisors for New York City and Chicago. They bring new energy and ideas to our team. We are not just bouncing back but bouncing forward as well.

As kids start leaving for their summer experiences, we will be celebrating both the normalcy and specialness of sending kids off on summer adventures. We are proud to play a role in making that happen. New memories are right around the corner!

SEND YOUR KIDS TO CAMP WITH CONFIDENCE

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You’ve done your research, evaluated all the options, and selected the program that is just right for your kids, but there is that small voice of doubt that says, “Is this the right choice? Will my kids be safe and do well?”

We at Tips on Trips and Camps know your choices for this summer are important for you and your family, so we’ve gathered together our best tips to help quiet that voice.

  • Camps this summer will be adhering to the CDC guidelines along with ACA protocols. A handful of camps ran successfully in 2020 and offered other programs a blueprint for success. Rest assured, summer camps and summer trips want your child as safe as you do and will do everything within their power to make that happen.
  • Go to the website of the camp or teen program you selected and search for their Covid protocols. If you are still unclear or concerned, call the camp with specific questions. They will be happy to discuss it with you. You want to be comfortable with what you learn so that you can send your kids off with confidence and reassure them if they are anxious.
  • Follow the packing list supplied by the program. It will specify how many masks they require and how much hand sanitizer to send. Make sure the masks you send are ones your child likes and is comfortable wearing.
  • Remind your child that the counselors or leaders are there to help them and if they have concerns, problems, or questions, to speak to one of them.
  • Assure your child that while camp may be a bit different than in the past, you know it will be every bit as much fun.

Whether this is your child’s first summer away from home or they are summer program veterans, we hope you can confidently send them off this summer.   It is time to unplug, make new friends and thrive!

The Excitement of Summer!

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Summer is around the corner and we can feel the excitement everywhere! The weather is gorgeous, the school year is coming to an end, the sun shines a little longer each day, we are thinking BBQ’s, picnics, and enjoying the outdoors with our children and friends, and maybe even staying out a little longer.  When I think of summer, I think of camp! To me, camp means trying something new, adventures, and unplugging from technology. It means making new friends, discovering your best self, gaining independence and leadership skills, new found confidence and self-esteem and being in nature. Mostly though, when I think of camp, I think of making memories and having FUN, so much FUN!!

Summer 2021 is waiting for our children and it’s going to be so wonderful!

I can already feel the memories being made!

Pre-College Enrichment Summer For Middle & High School Students

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**UPCOMING WEBINAR**

Set yourself apart this Summer!

Find out everything you need to know about spending Summer ’21 living & learning on a college campus. Hear from Directors, as they present what makes their pre-college programs enriching and purposeful. Discussion points will include:

*Universities in the US that will host programs

*International programs running at acclaimed universities

*Inspiring academic courses, electives & activities

*Programs specifically designed for curious-minded, high achieving students

*College Credit Options

*Covid safe protocols

During this ever-changing landscape for summer programs in the time of Covid, Tips on Trips and Camps; a Free Summer Advisory Service, is working together with our program partners to bring you the very latest on what WILL run, when and how. With students’ interests and enrollments at an all-time high, you will not want to miss the opportunity of learning all that’s happening this Summer!

Register for the webinar by clicking here.

IN-PERSON PROGRAMS: APRIL 6, TUESDAY @ 4:00PM (EST) and @ 7:00PM (EST)

ONLINE PROGRAMS: APRIL 20, TUESDAY @ 4:00PM (EST) 

*Please feel free to attend any of these sessions for any amount of time you see fit.

Experts On Overnight Camps & Trips For Ages 7-18+

contact 800-992-5188

The Scoop On Exceptional Summer Experiences!

Tips on Trips and Camps has always been and continues to be committed to equality for all. The advice we give endorses inclusion, awareness, sensitivity to others, equality and support to families and their children including but not limited to individuals of varying abilities, cultures, genders, races and religions.