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What I did on my summer vacation

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Every Tips on Trips and Camps advisor spends part of their summer checking in with several of the camps we represent. I spent a week in New Hampshire and Vermont this past July visiting some of our camps, including a few that are new to us for 2020. We share our findings, so we all have the most up to date information possible. Together our advisors visited about 100 camps this summer, and we are so excited to tell you about the ones that just right for your child!

I’m not sure my fellow advisors agree with me, but I love eating at the camps I visit. I have food allergies, and it’s great to experience how well the camps care for children that have dietary preferences or restrictions. I’ve found that most camps have terrific tasting healthy food and have a lot of pride in the efforts of their kitchen staff. Every camp is aware of the many different ways people today, and they happily work with families to make sure they meet every camper’s needs.

I also really enjoy peeking into the bunks. Generally, camp directors bring us into tidy bunks, but occasionally we catch sight of a bunk that looks like a tornado went through, and you can imagine how the kids were in such a hurry to get to their next amazing activity. I swear you can feel the excitement they left behind in the chaos.

I’m already keeping my list of where I’ll visit next summer. Can’t wait!

Go with a Friend or Go Alone?

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Go with a Friend or Go Alone?

 

As kids consider the prospect of a sleepaway experience, many hope to attend with a friend from home. Setting aside the fact that finding a friend with the same interests and coordinating summer schedules is difficult enough, is it a good idea to go with a friend or is it better to go alone? Is an experience enhanced or hindered by having a friend in tow?

 

With a friend – the upside:

  • Having a familiar face during the first couple days of a new sleepaway camp experience can ease the transition from home.
  • There is a feeling of security from having a friend right away.
  • A friend to sit with on the bus to summer camp or the plane can be fun and a welcome distraction.
  • Friends who don’t see much of each other during the school year can reconnect with a shared summer experience.

 

With a friend – the downside:

  • Having a friend from home can limit a child’s ability or desire to make new friends and seek out new experiences.
  • Going together can backfire on a friendship; differing interests in activities, new friends, and diverging expectations for the camp or program can all have a negative impact.
  • The group dynamic can be affected negatively by pods of kids who know each other. Travel programs for teens in particular work very hard to create a group that works well together and is a supportive, welcoming community.
  • Homesickness is contagious. One homesick friend can bring the other down quickly.

 

Go it alone – the upside:

  • Attending alone builds confidence, independence, resilience and grit.
  • Parents can encourage a child in his/her future challenges with a reminder of success at camp.
  • Kids who go alone are keenly interested in making friends right away; they will bond with others and make lasting friendships with kids from other places and backgrounds.
  • Counselors and staff are trained and focused on facilitating friendships, particularly for kids who come by themselves.

 

Go it alone – the downside:

  • For those kids who struggle to make friends or shy away from new experiences, the absence of an immediate friend may make the transition a bit longer.

Whether your child attends a camp or program by his/herself or with a friend, it’s key to find the right match (hint: contact your Tips advisor!) to ensure the best chance for a positive experience. If your child goes with a friend, have a conversation with the parents to make sure interests and expectations align, and then speak to program directors. Sleepaway camps and summer teen trips are wonderful growth opportunities, so whether they go with a friend or go it alone, the most important thing is to GO!

A Fun Way to Get Your Child to Write Home from Camp

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Well, for many, summer camp has begun and now parents begin to scour websites for pictures of their children. When they are able to take a break from that, and want a bit of fresh air, they take the quick walk to the mailbox to check for letters from camp. If they’re lucky, they may find some brightly colored stationary with the obligatory sentences “I am having a great time at camp”, “I miss you” or perhaps a truthful “The food stinks”. If any campers are like my son, you will be disappointed to find the envelope is empty or, at best, a quick one word “HI”. Many camps have rules that campers must send home 2-3 letters per week, but what is in the letters is not monitored, much to the dismay of us parents.

It’s exciting to think that campers are having such a great time playing sports, waterskiing, hiking, creating art projects or working on a performance that they don’t have time to write. But, as parents, we long to get a glimpse into their life at camp. I have some help to offer.

One of the best things I ever did while my kids were away at camp was to send them a questionnaire, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to send it back. Much like the check-off stationary, I formulated questions for them to answer. When they were younger, the questions would be a bit simple where they could circle the answers. Such as, “Circle the activities that you have tried this week” and I would list ones that I know are offered, like Swimming, Boating, Tennis, Dance, Nature etc.

As the kids got older I looked for some fun and creativity asking “What is the funniest thing that has happened at camp so far?” or “What new foods have you tried?” I liked to ask the names of the campers in their bunks and where they are from, or asking them to draw a picture of the bunk and where is their bed.

Each summer I would come up with new questions and, without fail, I would get these letters back. My kids had fun answering the questions and I heard about experiences I may not have.

Have fun with it!

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR CHILD WANTS TO GO TO OVERNIGHT CAMP BUT NEEDS A FRIEND TO GO TOO

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img_1021At first blush this is not a bad idea. You’re eager that all go well and, truth be told, having your child go with a friend will seem less scary to both of you. However this is easier said then done. It is challenging to find a friend whose family wants them to attend the same weeks, same location, same costs and with the same focus as you want for your child. Plus, making new friends is an important part of going away to sleep-away camp. What to do?

What a child who will only go away with a friend is saying is that they are uncertain of what to expect and, like the blankie of their early years, the friend will offer the comfort and security. Who can blame them for being unsure, this is unchartered territory. You can certainly try to find a friend and let your child know that you will ask around. Meanwhile begin to share with your child all the reasons going to camp without a friend can be really great.

Tell your child that he/she is a terrific person and will make new friends at camp. Point out their strengths that will make others like them. Help identify some interests that they can explore and share at camp. Let them know how nice the counselors are and how the counselors will take care of them and help them make new camp friends. Talk with them about why others will want to be their friend. Perhaps they are especially kind or funny or smart, point out that this will be very appealing to their bunkmates. Use this opportunity to look objectively at your child and help them assess their strengths which will build their confidence. Have the directors of the camps you are considering come to your home for a visit or speak by phone to your child and ask the question about attending without a friend. They will have wonderful reassuring answers.

It only takes one successful summer experience that your child attends alone to set the stage for empowering them in the future to try things independently.

Sending your Child to Camp without a Friend!

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Yes, you can do it. Yes, you should do it.

As a camp and trip advisor I hear it all the time… My child needs a friend to go or they won’t go. Nothing could be farther than the truth.

I sent my children off at 8 years old not knowing anyone attending their camps. They are the happiest campers. They have the best friends from all over the USA! To me this is one of the strengths and benefits of sleepaway camps and trips. They have friendships that will last a lifetime. The skills they developed from meeting new people, learning to cope, and developing independence will enable them to be stronger adults and increase their sense of self. Speak to Camp Directors and Teen Program leaders and you will learn that they concur. Many programs, especially those that involve small group travel, prefer children to attend independently. There are some that also may discourage more than one student attending from a certain school or hometown. The long lasting benefits of students taking a risk and trying new things independently far out-way the security of participating with a friend. Attending programs with a friend may also hinder the experiences for one or both. Often it prevents students from reaching out to others as well as trying activities they might not otherwise engage in. The success stories are numerous. Give it a try, urge your child or teen to venture off solo!

 

The Benefits of a Camp Visit

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I recently was touring colleges with my daughter when it dawned on me how similar college touring was to visiting camps.  Seeing the inside of the buildings, touring the grounds and meeting with current students gave me a sense of calm when visualizing where my daughter may be living when she leaves home. I also had so much excitement at knowing that she will be experiencing unique opportunities and activities.

Camp visits give parents unique opportunities to see the facilities, meet the camp Directors and staff, while seeing current campers engaged in their activities. Each child, when thinking about attending a sleepaway camp, will have unique ideas about what is important to them. Perhaps it is necessary to have a riding stable, or a ropes course, or multiple athletic fields. Is it preferable to be on a lake, or to have a swimming pool at the camp? This supplier offers premium quality swimming pools at a price that you can afford. What is the condition of the tennis courts? Are they clay or har-tru? Also important are the conditions of the bunks. How big are they? Are there bathrooms in the bunks? Is there a shower house? Each parent, and child, has a different order of importance regarding facilities, which is why it is necessary to make an individual decision – not just what your neighbor, or cousin chose.

Of course, visiting a camp is not always possible, depending on schedules and timing. Many camp websites now have “virtual tours”, which are helpful or photos/maps of the camp layout.

With summer 2013 approaching quickly, now is the time to schedule tours if your child is thinking about camp for 2014.

SUMMER WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR

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With 2013 almost upon us, here are our top 13 summer wishes for you and your family.

We hope that your child will:

Meet NEW friends at sleepaway camp.

Create NEW memories with old friends at sleepaway camp.

Try NEW activities at your old or new overnight camp

Explore NEW adventures when traveling.

Develop NEW leaderships skills while at an adventure camp or summer college program.

Acquire NEW stamps on their passport.

Develop NEW relationships with group leaders .

Have a reNEWed desire to communicate face to face rather than behind a screen and remember to embrace the outdoors.

Practice NEW language skills gained at a language immersion program.

Enjoy a NEW level of proficiency playing their favorite sport at a summer sports camp.

Sing NEW songs and perform skits for Color War.

Learn NEW games for the bus ride.

And finally, our best wishes for a very Happy NEW Year!!!

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

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