2021 GIFT GIVING, OLDIES BUT GOODIES!

December 11, 2021 by Eve Leave a Comment

As 2021 comes to close, our oldies but goodies gifts are worth a second look!

Camp swag is always a big hit at the holidays – check out this fuzzy fleece camp blanket by LoveKess Clothing that can be personalized for your child’s camp. Trick out your cabin or dorm with LED lights that stick to bunks or walls or these fairy lights that could be used in a camp talent show or dress up lunch. And nothing says camp like tie dye! How about these great tie dye socks and customizable sweatshirts

Summer trips for teens will be be perfect with the addition of these colorful passport cases and essential packing cubes, and check out this duffle bag from Out of the Box NY – a great idea for the hard-to-shop-for men and boys in your house! For adventure seekers heading out on a wilderness trip in 2022, this ENO hammock is a must-have, as is this backpack rain cover for rainy days on the trail.

Get everyone off the couch with some fun indoor and outdoor games: pickle ball, spike ball, knee hockey, mini basketball, lacrosse mini sticks – and many of these can be packed to go to camp next summer! Sports enthusiasts will love these one-of-a-kind customized cleats and other sports items from Kicks by Carly.

If being stuck at home has your kids dreaming about camp, check out these s’mores kits that are great for getting the perfect golden roast. Crafters can hone their friendship bracelet skills and send gifts to camp friends around the world. Do your kids wish they could play gaga ball year-round? We found a fantastic source for building your own gaga pit at home.

Check out these great finds: fabulous Chainz Boca mask chains and a deliciously scented, moisturizing hand sanitizer by LimeLife!

And finally, how about a gift for YOU? Raise a glass to the end of 2021 and gift yourself a bottle or two of our favorite clean wine, Avaline. Transparently produced, vegan-friendly and made with organic grapes.

We wish you a healthy, happy holiday season and the very best in 2022!

Looking back on 2021…What are Your Highlights?

December 6, 2021 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

Just when we thought nothing could be worse than 2020, along came 2021! There were many days (weeks?) this year that felt just as challenging as some of the dark times of 2020, as we navigated the constantly-changing landscape of the pandemic. We continued to worry about its impact on ourselves, and more acutely, on our kids. Did their social lives suffer? How far behind are they academically? What happened to my carefree, worry-free child? I have had all these same concerns over the last year.

However, when I look back on 2021 and to the times when my kids really thrived, my mind immediately goes to their summer experiences and some images I will not soon forget:

Dropping my 14-year old off at Newark Airport to fly to Portland, Oregon for the start of a three-week teen backpacking trip – I could sense her feelings of freedom, independence, and anticipation.
Seeing the pure joy on her face when we saw a post from the summit of Mount Saint Helens – the pride of accomplishment, personal growth, overcoming physical and mental challenges on the way to the top – all were evident.
Photos of her with friends from around the country – kids being kids without the pressures of social media.
Camp drop-off on a hot day in July – watching as they reunited with friends not seen since 2019, as if no time had passed at all.
My 11 year old’s first letter home from sleep away camp in which she declared she was having “the best time EVER”, had already waterskied, jumped off the tower, and hoped the weeks would never end.
Camp pick-up and the drive home – the kids chattering away in the back seat, singing camp songs, and looking healthy and happy from weeks spent outdoors.

I frequently think back to those images from Summer 2021. They are a reminder that through summer camp and summer teen trips we can still fill our kids’ lives with adventure, laughter, and joy even in difficult times.

SEND YOUR KIDS TO CAMP WITH CONFIDENCE

May 20, 2021 by Eve Leave a Comment

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!

Seeing our children for who they are

February 4, 2020 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

We all want what’s best for our children, but what is that? How’s a thoughtful parent to balance their concerns and priorities with their child’s individual needs? A recent New York Times article says what children need most is to feel seen and understood. The article says, “You just have to show up, allowing your kids to feel that you get them and that you’ll be there for them, no matter what.”

The process of selecting a sleepaway camp or an overnight summer program is a great way to show your child that you see them. Talking together about their interests, involving them in the selection, respecting their concerns, and appreciating their likes and dislikes are all ways of showing a child that you see them for who they are. Families can find exactly what they want and need when they work with a camp advisor. We are experts on the programming, facilities, and overall feeling of the summer experiences we represent, so if a child doesn’t play sports, then we will recommend camps where their interests are the main events. If they don’t want to stay in a tent, then we’ll suggest summer travel programs with indoor sleeping arrangements. If they don’t want to swim in a lake, we will recommend sleepaway camps with pools. If they want to improve their Spanish but aren’t interested in a homestay, then we’ll look at language immersion programs with other instruction methods. You can give your child the opportunity to grow through an independent summer experience, while at the same time seeing them for exactly who they are. Let us help you find just the right program.

Camper’s Best Friend

November 14, 2019 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

As camp advisors, we are so lucky to visit camps each summer. In addition to meeting loads of happy campers and connecting with directors, we also meet many four-legged friends. At so many of our favorite summer places, the camp dog is an integral part of camp life!

The happiest dogs are camp dogs! Who wouldn’t love endless scratches and belly rubs, plenty of room to roam, and so many kids to meet? Many camp directors understand the positive impact a dog can have on the camp community.

Though some children are understandably afraid, many kids love animals, and dogs in particular. It’s a different matter that some kids might be afraid because of allergies. A friendly, tail-wagging dog can be the perfect remedy for homesickness, providing a spirit boost to a child who may need it. The dog can be the glue that helps bond friendships and can assist a shy kid in making a new friend. And, a dog can make camp feel like home.

Dogs embody the values that are front and center in the camp community. They love unconditionally, they don’t care what you look like or what you are wearing, they are inclusive and accepting, and they don’t judge. Tails up for the camp dog!

My Happy Camper is Coming Home and I am Crying

August 13, 2019 by Michele 1 Comment

Camp is over and I am choking back the tears. Why am I crying, you may ask or some of you may think, what type of parent am I? Aren’t I excited to see my camper? Of course, I am excited and of course, I missed him all summer. But each summer when camp ends, is one summer less for my children to be just that – children. Each summer that passes, means one less summer for them to smile, laugh, grow and learn in an unplugged world. I know this – how? I have seen children start camp at the young age of 7 or 8. I have seen children grow into preteens and not have to deal with the awkward middle school moments during the summer. I have seen teens be able to feel safe and happy with their camp family and temporarily escape the overwhelming stress and pressure they feel all year. I have also seen my own children mold and shape new campers as their counselors. Don’t think that being a counselor for the summer is the easy way out. Far from it, it’s hard work, but the rewards include maturity, personal relationships, time management, conflict resolution and so much more. If you think there is joy in seeing your happy camper, there is another sense of joy and pride when you see happy campers looking up to your happy counselor. But like everything else in life, all good things come to an end. So why am I crying? Because I don’t want any of this to end and the end of each summer means we are all getting closer to the end of this stage.

VISITING DAY IS HERE

July 16, 2019 by Michele Leave a Comment

What does visiting day mean to you? To me it means family. I look forward to this day so much every year. I love being at the camp that has brought all my children so much joy and growth. I love watching them in an unplugged environment and being witness to all the relationships they have formed with their peers, counselors, group leaders and even the directors.

First time for you? Here are some tips:

Be organized – pack your things the night before. That includes snacks (please make sure you follow the “no nut” policy and also don’t overdo it). You don’t want your child to be sick after you leave or worse, living with rodents from all the food in the bunk
Give yourself enough time to get there – you don’t want to stress out if there is a traffic problem.
Be present – your child has been waiting for this day – sit with them, play with them and listen to them.
Say “Thanks” – introduce yourself to their counselors and say thank you. A little kindness goes a long way. Don’t focus on the small complaints – this job is harder than you imagine, but it is also a personal one – so show them your appreciation by just saying “thanks”.
Plan your exit – the end can become emotional. Shower your children with hugs and kisses and most importantly, positive reinforcement. Let them know how proud you are of them. If they are starting to quiver, remind them that it’s ok to miss you but have a good time simultaneously. Remember that shortly after you leave they will once again be engaged.
Smile – these are good times and you should enjoy them! While you are smiling, take some pictures and send them to us or post them and tag @tipsontripsandcamp
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The Benefits of Camp Just Keep Giving

March 4, 2019 by elissfontenot Leave a Comment

I knew there would be benefits to sending my kids to overnight camp…try new things, make lifetime friends, grow to be independent to name a few. What I did not expect was that four years after my daughter attended her final year as a camper she would come back to become a counselor, and gain even more life skills.

What she learned that summer was nothing she could have learned as a college freshman in a classroom. The experience was invaluable – so much so that she accepted the position for a second summer. What about the great internship that she would need in in her chosen profession? What about summer school to get ahead in her major? Those things crossed her mind for about ten seconds when she realized the training she was getting as a counselor for whatever job she might have later on was just as, if not more than, valuable.

Please read this article that talks about why employers should hire camp counselors!

How summer time can help you achieve all your parenting goals.

January 29, 2019 by Michele Leave a Comment

As a summer camp and program advisor, I am constantly being asked whether a specific program will look good on a teen’s resume, or if a specific camp will improve their camper’s athletic or artistic skills. As a parent of 3 teens, I am beginning to realize that these manipulated experiences are only part of the picture. Let’s take a step back and really think about what we want for our children – health, happiness and success. As parents we put so much pressure on ourselves to help our children achieve all these goals. When I think back to my children’s path to happiness and success, I have to admit, I didn’t do it alone. I probably didn’t do most of it – camp did! Camp gives my children the chance to be independent, problem solve, form true personal relationships and all these things create happiness and I hope down the road, success. Don’t believe me? Read this article with quotes from Steve Jobs, head staff at Harvard and MIT, as well as well known authors:https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/05/09/can-sleep-away-camp-give-kids-a-competitive-advantage-in-life/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a44dcc820e69

The Benefits of Sending Your Child to Summer Camp

November 19, 2018 by Lois Leave a Comment

Families sometimes ask me, “Why should I send my children to camp? It is so much cheaper to stay home or go to the shore – and they will still have a great summer”. As a camp lover, I offer the following perspective.

Camp provides opportunity for growth that cannot be replicated in the home environment. It is not so much about the “stuff” that the camp offers, but instead the environment it creates. Campers are pushed to advocate for themselves. They are encouraged to try new things and even acknowledge that they are not the best in every activity and accept that this is ok. Perhaps they’ll even fail but realize that they can try again. They learn cooperation, communication, and gain a wonderful sense of community. There are a wide range of camps….. some are competitive and some are not. Some focus on arts, wilderness, or sports. But, at the core, all strive to get children to learn new things, become team players and community builders. It is a place where they can put down the electronics and relate to people in a meaningful way. With so much growth at camp it is hard to believe that it can be so much FUN!

HAPPY CAMPING!

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Experts on Overnight Camps & Trips for Kids and Teens

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