The Power of Camp Friendships

February 4, 2019 by Mindy Horwitz Leave a Comment

Last summer I attended the 30-year reunion of my CIT summer at camp in Northern Wisconsin. Being back together with our tight-knit group brought me right back to 1988. It was as if no time had passed- we all fell right back into the friendships that are over 30 years old. It’s hard to believe that I’ve known this group for so long. We’ve been in each others’ lives from high school graduation through college, through weddings and babies and now sending our own children to camp and on to become counselors as well.

Some of us have seen each other frequently over the years, and others haven’t seen each other at all, but when we got together it felt as if no time had passed. It made me wonder…. why do camp friendships endure? Camp is an intense time, living in close quarters, sharing laughter, tears, inside jokes and amazing activities. When you’re at camp, you can’t rely on your parents to solve things for you. You learn independence, conflict management, and empathy. Twelve kids sleeping in the same bunk get to know each other quickly, in a way that differs from siblings and school friendships. Silly games, ghost stories and creating traditions forge bonds that last a lifetime. Unplugging intensifies the experience even more.

In my day, we had to write “snail mail” letters to keep in touch with our camp friends during the school year. With social media and cell phones, camp bonds are even stronger now because it’s easier to stay connected even when you aren’t sitting around the campfire. Camp fosters these special friendships that will be cherished over a lifetime.

1988 2018

Why Summer Camp Is More Important Than Ever

July 26, 2018 by Michele 1 Comment

As I am sure many parents can relate, social media and cell phones are making me crazy. Have you noticed how all the kids (and adults) are constantly scrolling, texting and watching things on their devices? Not only is this bad for their mental development, we are raising the next group of hunchback adults.

As I was strolling thru camps earlier this summer, I started to notice how happy all the campers looked. They were so happy talking to their friends, playing games and just being outside. Imagine that – all of these smiles and no Snapchat or Instagram to capture it. How amazing!! You know what else was amazing? They all made eye contact because their heads weren’t hunched down starting at a screen. Call me old-fashioned, but I truly believe that kids are happier at camp because it is now the only place where they can disconnect from the world, but more importantly, they are making real life connections. Laughing with their friends, making memories and feeling good about themselves.

My love for camp is stronger than ever. Can anything really replace face to face fun? How about a time for your child to feel good about themselves and doing things they can truly enjoy, not because they want to post it. Let’s take this a step further. Now I know I may get a lot of backlash from my nearest and dearest but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if camp directors eased up on the camp pictures. I can hear the loud protests. Hear me out – I recently visited a camp that did not post pictures. When I asked the director why not, he said, “kids act differently when they don’t have to be on”. Hmm – that’s true. He then continued, “This is their journey, not their parents”. Even I had to sheepishly admit he was right.

This camp also had the highest percentage of former campers coming back multiple years as counselors. A coincidence? Maybe, but it is something to think about.

Exploring Summer Options: How Early Is Too Early?

September 11, 2015 by Jenny Wolkowitz Leave a Comment

Often times, parents come to our advisory service too late in the season to find the perfect summer experience for their child. In many cases, the only session in which their child can participate – nestled between baseball season, the family vacation and school starting – is already filled up.

The best way to avoid this situation is to plan summer early. Done right, the process of finding the right camp can take an entire year’s worth of research, but the reward is great. When your neighbors are stressing out about what their child will be doing next summer, you will be sitting pretty with your child already enrolled!

One very helpful thing to do is plan a visit to see camps in action. All camps gladly receive guests, if you schedule an appointment. Most camps are located in beautiful areas near state parks or resort areas, so these visits can be fun for the whole family. You could even plan your family’s vacation at a camp and take advantage of a family weekend. These visits can help your child acclimate to the environment of the camp and make the decision to leave home a lot less scary. And, your first-hand observations of the facilities, the activities or the dining hall routine can help you know if this would be the right place for your child!

If you plan early and you have determined which camp suits your child, you can take advantage of early bird discounts. These discounts usually hold the cost of camp down to the previous year’s tuition or take several hundred dollars off the tuition price.

Some parents might not have the time to research camps on their own. With over 11,000 camps in the United States, it is important to come up with a list of questions to guide you. By doing so, you can narrow the possibilities to a manageable few. Then it is helpful to meet with directors, attend a camp fair, and/or enlist the advice of a summer program advisor.

Tips on Trips and Camps, Inc. is a FREE service specializing in overnight summer experiences for children ages 7-19. Call 866.222.TIPS or visit our website at www.TipsonTripsandCamps.com . Once you register, a local advisor will follow up with you immediately. You know your child and we know the camps. Together, we can find the RIGHT match.

Camp Prepares Children for College

February 13, 2014 by Ellen Blum Leave a Comment

As a young mother, I was often given the age-old advice “Cherish every moment. They grow up so fast.” What an understatement! As I now prepare myself for the emotional task of sending my daughter to college, I am so glad that I not only cherished every moment, but that I gave her many moments that she will cherish for a lifetime.

Sending a child to college parallels sending a child to sleepaway camp for the first time. It is an emotional rollercoaster of anxiety, excitement, pride, indecision and ultimately pure joy! I find myself looking back to my daughter’s first year as a camper and remembering the changes she went through in just a few short weeks. Her strength, independence, curiosity and willingness to try new activities was astounding. Whether it was waterskiing for the first time, or climbing the rock wall or performing in the camp theatre production, she participated in new activities each year and gained incredible confidence through these opportunities.

Now I have the confidence in knowing that wherever she goes to college, she will be an independent leader and not only strive for excellence in her studies, but also take advantage of all the extracurricular opportunities that are available.

I have spoken with many parents who feel the same way. Their child may not have been to overnight camp, but perhaps went on a community service trip, a language immersion experience, a wilderness adventure or an academic enrichment program. Whatever the experience, these parents feel that some form of summer program, away from home, helped prepare their child for a successful transition to college.

My advice to young parents is to absolutely cherish every moment but to also give your children opportunities that will allow for personal growth to prepare them for college and beyond.

It’s OK to Send Your Children to Different Camps!

October 7, 2013 by Julie Solot Leave a Comment

I send my two daughters to different overnight summer camps, and people often ask me why I did it, since daughter No. 1 was so happy with my choice for her. I think there are a number of reasons why a parent might want to do so. (By the way, daughter No. 2 also loves the camp I chose for her.)

Every parent with two or more children knows they are individuals, with different likes and dislikes, preferences and, above all, interests. It may be more convenient for you to send them both to the same camp, but it can shortchange one or both of them. In addition, making the extra effort to find the best overnight camp for each child can provide both of them with the happiest camping experience, and you with the best value for your camping dollar.

Some children thrive with athletics, such as baseball, soccer, or gymnastics, and water sports-related activities, like swimming, diving, boating and snorkeling/scuba, while others are less athletics-oriented and love drama, music, and graphic arts, or some other specialized non-athletic subjects.

Even placement within a family is a factor to consider. When a girl goes to the same camp her older sister goes to, or went to, she may not consider it “her” camp, and can feel she is in the shadow of her “first child” sibling. Let each child have “ownership” in something she feels belongs to her, not something she shares with her sibling.

You wouldn’t necessarily put all your children in the same extracurricular activities so don’t feel as if you need to send them to the same camps. Yes, it may be the easier choice, but is it really the best one? Dig a little deeper for each child. There is that special place for everyone. And once you have found it, then you can start figuring about how to navigate through different visiting days, which, I can tell you from experience, can be done!

We’ve all compared our camping experiences with friends; some loved it and others are a lot less enthusiastic. Why? I believe the difference is often that the less enthusiastic ones were not fortunate enough to have found “their niche,” the right camp for their interests and their personalities. Your children will make lifelong friendships at camp and you can enhance their experience by guiding them into the camping environment best suited to who they are.

It’s well worth the effort.

CAMP FAIRS and ADVICE for 2013–Your Tips on Trips Advisor is ready to help

January 7, 2013 by laura rumbough Leave a Comment

Happy 2013!

It’s that time of year again–the consultants at Tips on Trips and Camps are very busy helping families with overnight summer camp options. We’re also busy planning and preparing to host our annual Summer Opportunity Camp Fairs around the country.

Our camp fairs are a great way for families to look around and get a feel for what’s out there. Not only are families exposed to a wide range of summer program choices, they can speak with representatives or directors of the camps and programs they are interested in. This provides a certain comfort level that many families need before making a decision on a summer program for their child or teen.

One advantage of a Tips on Trips and Camps Summer Opportunities Fair is the personal touch that is available. Tips on Trips consultants are on hand to talk to families, listen to their needs, and direct them to suitable summer programs.

Having a camp advisor to help you with the ins and outs of finding a perfect summer experience for your child is essential, yet not many parents realize that this free service provided by Tips on Trips and Camps is available to them! Your camp advisor will listen to your needs, and help you to find programs that your child is interested in. Whether it be a summer arts program, a language immersion camp, a science focused program, an internship or community service project, a sports camp, a traditional co-ed camp or an all-girl or all-boy camp, the choices are many and your personal advisor will help you to narrow down the search. Your advisor will help you to distinguish between programs and help you to understand the particular culture of a program. An Internet search is great, but it’s difficult to determine the true culture of a camp by looking at a website. A Tips consultant has visited the programs, met the directors, and has an un-biased view. Your personal advisor will take you and your child’s needs into consideration first and foremost.

If summer camp in 2013 is an option for your child this year, don’t delay…call your Tips on Trips camp advisor today!

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

March 9, 2012 by Lois Leave a Comment

Today I was given the task of writing a blog about summer camp… a blog! In this day and age this should not be such a daunting undertaking but, for me, PANIC! I know the definition of a blog (I did watch Julie and Julia) but I am from the age where articles are graded and critiqued. Where do I start? What do I say and how do I say it? Who am I writing to? Then I had my “ah ha” moment. Perhaps this is what parents feel like when they are looking for a summer program for their child. Do you call a referral agent? Friend? Search the web for “best overnight camp” or “best teen travel program in Europe”?

For over a decade I have helped countless families find the right teen program or overnight summer camp. For over 40 years Tips on Trips and Camps has helped families through the process (without a blog) by asking specific questions and giving parents the information they need to make an informed decision. I have always told parents that summer programming allows children to try new things and have new and challenging experiences. It provides the foundation for growth.

That is exactly what this blog is doing to me. It is forcing me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. It feels good. This is the same benefit one gets from a summer experience. It does not matter if it is hiking, canoeing, doing theater, service, or an internship……..it feels good to try. It feels good to stretch one’s limits. It feels good to know you can do things for yourself. It feels good to try to write a blog.

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