Why Camp Tours are Important

If you are considering day or sleepaway camp for your child next summer, a good way to get a feel for a camp is to tour this summer.  Scheduling camp tours before sending your child to camp gives the future camper and family a chance to see camps in session, which helps parents understand the camp’s culture and program.   It also allows children to feel a part of the process of choosing a camp.  The more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel.  This can help make a child's camp experience more successful.  After touring camps, many parents say they just got a feeling about a camp and that's how they knew which camp to send their child to.  Tours also give parents a chance to get to know the camp director and ask him or her questions while in the camp environment.   It is important for parents to make sure they click with the camp director when choosing a camp.

Here are just a few questions to ask yourself while touring a camp

•              Do you get a warm feeling from the camp director?

•              Do you get the sense that the camp director cares?

•              Is the camp director able to answer all your questions and happy to do so?

•              Does the camp’s philosophy match your own family philosophy?

•              Does the camp offer activities of interest to your child?

•              Are the camp staff enthusiastic and engaged with the campers? 

•              What is the feeling you get walking around camp?

Families considering camp for 2015 can call Renee Flax at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ at 212.391.5208 for free, one-on-one advice in finding the right camps to tour for their child.  

9 Tips for a Great Camp Visiting Day

Parents have waited for visiting day since the day they put their child on the bus and now it is here. Visiting day is an exciting day for both parents and children.   The American Camp Association, NY and NJ has some tips for parents to help them have a successful visiting day and recommends that parents read the specific visiting day guidelines offered by their child’s camp. 

1. Don’t bring banned items to camp which can include iphones, ipads, Gameboys, cameras that record video or any technology with wifi. 

2. Limit the amount of food you bring to camp on visiting day and check to make sure the camp allows you to bring food.   Some camps have campers with severe food allergies and don’t allow outside food on camp grounds.

3. If the camp has arranged camp activities for the day, participate in what the camp has planned for the parents. 

4. Respect the no tipping staff policy if the camp has one.

5. Make sure to arrive on time for the day.  You don’t want your child waiting for you when other parents arrive at the set time.

6. Avoid telling your child about all the things they are missing at home while they are at camp.  This can make a child feel like they are missing out and can leave them feeling homesick.

7. Don’t make pick up deals with your child.  Put the camp time frame in perspective for your child if you sense he or she is missing home.  Let them know you are confident that staying at camp will be a great experience.

8. If the policy is to stay at camp on visiting day, honor it.

9. ENJOY this special day at camp with your child!