Why Fall Is a Great Time of Year to Find a Camp

Fall is a great time of year for parents to research a camp.  Your child’s summer experience is still fresh on your mind yet your child is settled back in school and you can now focus on next summer. 

Talk to camp directors –When choosing a camp, parents want to make sure they click with the camp director.   Ask key questions about the camp program and philosophy and make sure what the director describes sounds like it would be a good fit for your child.  Remember to give the camp director an accurate picture of your child and what your specific goals are for your child’s camp experience.

Open houses – Many camps have open houses and fall festivals that offer families a chance to see the camp facilities and get a feel for the camp.  They are also a good opportunity for families to get to know the camp director and ask questions about the camp philosophy and program while in the camp setting. 

Camp fairs – At camp fairs, parents  can walk around and meet different directors, learn about various programs and get a good feel for more than one camp all in a short amount of time.  Visit the ACA, NY and NJ website for a list of upcoming NY and NJ camp fairs.

Search for camp with your child – If you and your child are thinking that next summer would be a good time to go to camp, taking the time to start your search early will give you plenty of time to find the right camp.  Search camps online together and look over a camp’s website, video and social media.  They will give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp websites have photos, videos, virtual tours, and maps which will give parents and children a glimpse of the camp and the camp program.   Some camps will also tour during the off season if you would like to see the facilities. The more involved a child feels in the decision of choosing a camp, the more successful the camp experience will be. 

Look for camp early for savings - Families who have already decided on a camp for their child shouldn’t wait to register. Many camps offer early bird specials.  Registering early can be a real savings for parents and also ensures that your child won’t be shut out of the camp program he or she wants. Ask the camp if they offer payment plans which can make it easier for parents to pay for camp over the year.  Some camps also allow you to prepay the camp season and will give you a significant discount.

Make camp part of holidays – Thinking of some early holiday shopping? Instead of purchasing more electronics & toys for your child, you can make camp a holiday gift.  There is no better gift you can give your child then the chance to build life skills like confidence, leadership, creativity—skills that will help them throughout their whole life.  

Prepare child with overnights – If you are considering sleepaway camp, schedule some fall  sleepovers with friends and relatives and make sure these overnights are successful. Positive overnight experiences are a good sign that your child may be ready for sleepaway camp.  

5 Tips for Choosing a Camp Last Minute

For parents who waited until now to choose a summer camp for their child, don’t worry.  There are still some camps with availability.  Here are some tips for choosing a camp last minute.

1. Call the Camp Director - If you have a specific camp in mind, call the camp director and ask if there is still availability.  If it is a session camp, ask which sessions are still open and if there is space in your child’s age group. 

2. Be Flexible - Maybe you had the month of July in mind for camp but be open to the second session of camp programs.  This may mean changing around vacation plans or trips to see grandparents but the more flexibility you have, the better chance you have of finding the camp you want at the last minute. 

3. Even with last minute decisions, do your research - Even with last minute camp decisions, parents want to make sure they are doing their research and choosing the right camp for their child. Ask the camp director about the camp’s philosophy and program.  Does the philosophy of the camp match your families?  Does the camp offer a program that is of interest to your child?  Do you feel that the camp director is answering all your questions and happy to do so? You are forming a partnership with the camp director so you want to make sure you click with the director and feel comfortable leaving your child in the camp director’s care.  Ask if the camp is inspected each summer by the Department of Health and if the camp is Accredited by the American Camp Association.  Accreditation is a parent's best evidence of a camp's commitment to safety. 

4. Not too early to look for camp for summer 2016 - Looking this summer gives you the opportunity to go visit camps and see them in action before signing up.  Touring camps allows you and your child the chance to see what an actual day at camp will be like and see the lake, pool, bunks and activity areas.  Both day and sleepaway camps offer camp tours throughout the summer. A camp tour truly gives families a good feel about whether the camp is the right fit for their child and if you decide to send your child the following summer, he or she will feel part of the decision process.  By touring camp the summer before and deciding on a camp almost a year before sending your child, you are able to plan financially for camp.  Some camps offer early bird discounts for registering early or payment plans, allowing you to pay for camp over the year.  You can also make camp part of birthday presents and holiday gifts over the upcoming year.  Families can also inquire about sibling discounts for registering more than one child. 

5. Need help finding a camp for this summer or next? - Parents can call the American Camp Association, NY and NJ at 212.391.5208 for free, one-on-one advice in finding the right camp for your child.  

Unplugging at Camp

Camp has traditionally been a place where children can connect with nature and with each other. But in today’s technological world, it can be a real change of mind set for both children and parents, to forgo technology for the weeks that children are at camp.

According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 30 minutes a day using technology, more than 53 hours a week.   Now more than ever, children need camp to disconnect from media and engage in interpersonal connections.   Summer camp is one of the last unplugged environments.  For a few weeks at a time, children are unplugged from their computers, smart phones and ipads and are able to enjoy the outdoors and actually talk—not text—with their friends.   During the school year, children are inundated with technology.  At camp, children communicate face to face, using their words and not their fingers to communicate.

Before children go to camp, parents should keep in mind that each camp has their own electronics policies and with the increasing number of new electronics being introduced each year, camps are constantly altering their policies.   Parents should respect the camp’s decision on what is and isn’t allowed and not try to circumvent the policy. Most camps don’t allow devices that contain WiFi, video, gaming content, apps, messaging or phone call capabilities such as ipads, gaming systems, cell phones and smart phones.  Since reading devices such as the Nook and Kindle can connect to the internet, some camps don’t allow them although others do since many campers use them to read their books.  Music is an important part of camp so many camps allow Mp3 players that play music, however, if the Mp3 has video capabilities, camps ask that the videos and games are erased before camp.

Campers (and their parents) welcome the break from electronics while at camp and enjoy the unplugged time they spend talking and engaging in activities with friends. 

10 Tips for Preparing Your First Time Camper for Camp

With 88 days left until the first day of camp, you want to make sure you prepare your child for the experience before the first day arrives.   This will help make a child’s camp experience more successful.   Here are some tips for getting your first time camper ready AND excited for camp.

1. Expectations –Talking about camp in the weeks leading up to the summer will build your child’s enthusiasm about camp.  Learn about the camp program and discuss it with your child so he or she knows what to expect.
2. New camper get-together – Many camps host a pre-camp event for first time campers.  This is a good way for children to meet other children going to the camp for the first time.  It also gives campers a chance to get to know the camp director and for the director to get to know you and your child.   
3. Successful overnights for sleepaway - If you are sending your child to sleepaway camp, your child probably has had positive overnight experiences away from home with friends and relatives.  If not, make sure you schedule some sleepovers for your child before camp.  You want to make sure these overnights are successful and that your child is mature enough to go away for an extended period of time.
4. Bus preparation for day camp – For children heading to day camp for the first time, it may be the first time they take the bus.  Talk about what the ride will be like and what your child can expect. 
5. Pack for camp with your child – If your child is going to sleepaway camp, discuss what items will be needed for camp and pack together.  Your child will feel more secure if they know what they are bringing to camp and you can use the time packing together to talk with your child about how much fun camp is going to be.  Make sure to look at the camp packing list and respect the items the camp asks you to leave at home such as cell phones and ipads
6. Watch the camp video and visit website – This is a good time to watch the camp video again! This will be a good reminder to your child about all he or she has to look forward to.  Visit the camp’s website together and look at the activity list, photos and the camp map to give your child a feel for what camp will be like. 
7. Don’t make pick up deals – Before camp begins, let your child know you are confident in his or her ability to have a wonderful summer camp experience.  Don’t make pick up deals with your child before he or she goes to camp. You are sending your child the message that you don’t feel he or she will be successful at camp.
8. Questions – Ask your child if he or she has any questions about camp.   Keeping an open dialogue about what camp will be like will help your child feel comfortable about going to camp for the first time. 
9. Call the camp director – If you sense your child is nervous about camp, you can always call the camp director and ask for their advice.  The camp director has a lot of experience with first time campers and will be able to offer you some ways which you can help your child get over any worries about the first day of camp. 
10. Day camp spring festivals - Many day camps host spring festivals at camp, opening their doors to current families and prospective families.  Attending a spring festival is a good opportunity for your child to see the camp a few months before summer begins and build that excitement up.

4 Ways to Get to Know a Camp

Camp is an amazing experience that gives children the opportunity to learn new activities, meet new friends, and learn essential life skills such as self esteem, leadership and confidence.  There are many different summer camps for families to choose from and each camp provides unique programming and approaches. Parents should consider what type of program and camp environment will fit with their child’s interests and personality.  With so many different camp options, what is the best way for parents to find out what a camp is really like before registering their child for camp?

The American Camp Association has some tips for parents to help them learn about a camp’s philosophy and character. 

Tour the Camp

A good way for parents and children to get a feel for a day or overnight camp is to tour the camp.  Scheduling a camp tour over the summer summer gives the future camper a chance to see camp in action.  A tour also gives you a chance to ask the camp director questions while you are in the camp environment.  If it’s not possible to tour the camp during the summer, schedule a tour in the off season so you can see the facilities and still get a feel for the camp environment. Camp tours give children the feeling that he or she is part of the process of choosing the camp and the more involved a child feels in the decision making, the more successful the camp experience will be.  

Rookie Days

There are many resident camps that offer Rookie Days which are designed to give future campers a chance to experience the camp in session by joining in on the camp activities before going to camp.  While children enjoy the camp activities, parents are taken on a tour of the camp.  Rookie days are wonderful ways for children and their parents to get a feel for what the camp is like and to determine if the camp is the right fit. 

Talk to the Camp Director

Parents want to make sure they click with the camp director.  Speaking with the camp director and asking some key questions is a good way for families to find out about a camp’s philosophy and if it matches their own.  Get to know the camp director through phone calls, correspondence and in person.  Often times, the camp director will come to your home or you can meet the camp director at a camp fair or camp open house.  Ask the camp director about the camps’ mission statement and what type of child is successful at camp.  The more open families are with camp directors, the better informed they will be when it comes to making a decision. 

Look at website, video and brochures

Parents and campers should take time to look over a camp’s website, brochure and video.  They will give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Many camp websites have photo slide shows, videos, virtual tours, and maps which will give parents and children a glimpse of the camp and the camp program.  Many camps also include a sample daily schedule so families can see what a typical day at camp is like.  Camps will also send you a DVD upon request so you and your child can view the camp and see campers and counselors engaged in camp activities.

Need help finding the right camp for your child?  You can contact the American Camp Association, NY and NJ's Camper Placement Specialist Renee Flax at 212.3915208 for free, one-on-one advice in finding the right day or overnight camp for your child. Click here to search for ACA Accredited camps in the northeast.  ACA-Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety and ensures that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities.

5 Reasons Your Child Needs Camp

 Are you considering sending your child to camp this summer but questioning the value in a traditional summer camp?  Here are just five of the reasons your child needs camp.

1. Unplug from technology – According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey of young people, children spend 7.5 hours a day engaged in electronic media including cell phones, computers, TV and video games.  Instead of engaging in human interactions, children are staring at screens throughout the year.   The majority of summer camps have a no technology rule which will allow your child to take a much needed break from media and focus on building relationships, having face-to-face interactions and engaging in activities. 

2. Children build confidence – At camp, children gain confidence by learning new skills, making their own choices, trying new things, making new friends and by being part of a community which is supportive and encouraging.

3. Children gain life skills needed to become successful adults - The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a group of businesses, education leaders, and policymakers including the U.S Department of Education, AOL Time Warner Foundation, Apple Computer, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc. and others, found there is a large gap between the knowledge students learn in school and the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.   They performed extensive research on the skills needed to become successful adults in life and work in the 21st century and many of the essential skills needed for success are all fostered at camp and include oral communication, collaboration, work ethic, creativity, leadership, social skills, problem solving and critical thinking. 

4. Play is known to help children in their social and emotional development -Today’s children are very busy with homework and after school activities and there isn’t much time for play.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that free and unstructured play is healthy and essential for helping children to reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress.  Traditional summer camps give children plenty of opportunities to play which leads to healthy emotional and social development.

5. Gain self-reliance – Many children today are in constant contact with their parents through cell phone calls and texts.  Camp allows children a healthy separation which fosters independence.  Children need to learn how to rely on themselves and make their own decisions in order to become self-reliant adults.

Families looking for a summer camp can contact the American Camp Association, NY and NJ for free, one-on-one advice in finding the right camp for their child.  Call 212.391.5208 or visit www.searchforacamp.org

5 Reasons the Gift of Camp is the Best Holiday Gift for your Child

1. Camp is a gift that will last a lifetime – Camp will give your child so many experiences that will last forever.  The love of the outdoors, being part of a caring community, the benefit of having good role models, the confidence to try new things, learning to live with others outside of your family, gaining independence and so much more.
2. A new toy can’t provide important life skills like camp can – Camp is an environment where children can not only learn how to swim and horseback ride, but they gain important life skills that will help them grow up to be successful adults.  Camp fosters resiliency by giving children opportunities to fail in a supportive environment,  separation from parents gives a child the ability to think independently, children learn to be leaders in their camp community,  and camp provides children with opportunities to build confidence, among many other life skills.
3. New experiences make the greatest gifts- Each day, children are trying something new at camp.  Whether it’s completing the adventure course, learning how to do the backstroke, or learning how to serve in tennis, children are learning new skills and experiencing something different.  Research by the American Camp Association shows that 63% of campers continue to participate in some of the new activities he or she learned at camp when they get home.
4. Life-long friendships are priceless - There are many reasons summer camp has traditionally been a place that helps foster friendships that can last a lifetime.  Camp is an accepting community and a child can be themselves at camp.  Children eat together, live together and have fun at their activities together, which all leads to forming close friendships.  Camp professionals are also trained in the management of group dynamics.  They are trained to empower children in their group to feel comfortable and encourage each child to contribute to the group.  This helps children feel more secure therefore making it easier for friendships to be formed. 
5. You are giving them a summer of fun – Camp provides fun every minute of the day.  From daily activities like arts & crafts, boating & soccer to special event days like carnival and color war, your child’s summer will be packed with non-stop laughter, excitement & happiness.

To print out a camp gift certificate to give to your child, click here.  Have a very happy holiday season!

Camp Fairs Give Families the Chance to Get to Know Many Camps

Camp provides children with the opportunity to learn new activities, meet new friends, and learn life skills such as self esteem, leadership and confidence.  There are many different summer camps for families to choose from and each camp provides unique programming and approaches.   Parents should consider what type of program and camp environment will fit with their child’s interests and personality.  With so many different camp options, visiting an American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey Camp Fair is a great way for parents to find out what a camp is really like before registering their child for camp.

Camp Fairs are free events that bring dozens of camps straight to families, allowing parents to have one-on-one conversations with many camp directors to find out about their camp program.  Both day and sleepaway camps are represented and the wide variety of camps makes the events perfect for campers ages 3–17.

Parents want to make sure they click with the camp director and camp fairs give parents the opportunity to get to know many camp directors all in the same day.  Speaking with the camp director and asking some key questions is a good way for families to find out about a camp’s philosophy and if it matches your own.  Ask the camp director about the camps’ mission statement and what type of child is successful at camp.  The more open families are with camp directors, the better informed they will be when it comes to making a decision.  

Here is a list of upcoming 2014-2015 camp fairs in New York and New Jersey: 

NEW YORK

Saturday, December 6

12 - 3 PM

St. Jean Baptiste HS

Upper East Side

Sunday, December 7

12 - 3 PM

Ethical Culture

Upper West Side

Saturday, January 24

12 -3 PM

St. Jean Baptiste HS

Upper East Side

Sunday, January 25

12 - 3 PM

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Upper West Side

Saturday, February 7 

12 - 3 PM

Bank Street School

Morningside Heights 

Sunday, February 8

12 - 3 PM

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School

Cobble Hill

Saturday, March 7

12 - 3 PM

BMCC

Tribeca

Sunday, March 8

12 - 3 PM

Berkeley Carroll School

Park Slope

Saturday, March 28 

12 - 3 PM

St. Jean Baptiste HS

Upper East Side

Saturday, March 29

12 - 3 PM

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Upper West Side 

  

NEW JERSEY 

Saturday, January 10

12 - 3 PM

The Outlets at Bergen Town Center

Paramus, NJ

Sunday, January 11

12 - 3 PM

The Grand Summit

Summit, NJ

Saturday, January 17

12 - 3 PM

Quaker Bridge Mall

Lawrence Township, NJ 

Sunday, January 18

12 - 3 PM

Bridgewater Marriott

Bridgewater, NJ

Saturday, January 24

12 - 3 PM

Woodbridge Center Mall

Woodbridge Township, NJ

Sunday, January 25

12 - 3 PM

The Livingston Mall

Livingston, NJ. 

Saturday, January 31

12 - 3 PM

The Monmouth Mall

Eatontown, NJ

Think Camp This Fall

Summer may be over and children are back to school, but that doesn't mean camp should be far from your mind. 

This fall, camp directors will attend camp fairs, host fall festivals & open houses at camp, and do home visits, which are all great ways to get to know the camp director and find out about their program.  By researching and registering for a camp in the fall, families will be able to take advantage of early bird rates and payment plans, while additionally reserving their first choice camp. Searching for summer camp now also gives families a longer time to plan financially for camp.  Camp can be given as part of birthday gifts and holiday gifts and parents can budget for these gifts throughout the year.

Don't know where to start your camp search? For over 16 years, Renee Flax at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ has been providing free, one-on-one guidance to families to help them find the right ACA Accredited camps.  When doing your research, keep in mind that ACA Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to safety and program quality.  

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! 

Time to Pack for Camp!

The countdown is on to camp. If your child is heading to sleepaway camp, it’s time to pack!   The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey suggests the following guidelines for parents to keep in mind when packing for camp, to ensure children are prepared with all the items they will need to have a wonderful summer camp experience.  Each camp has its own packing list so make sure you read your child's camp list carefully.

Headgear – Parents should consider packing items to protect a camper from the sun.  ACA, NY and NJ suggests that parents pack bandannas, baseball caps, or a sunhat, as well as needed eyeglasses, sunglasses, and swimming goggles.

Clothing – ACA, NY and NJ recommends families include T-shirts, swim suits, shorts and underwear.  Remember a jacket, sweatshirt, jeans and a raincoat for rainy days.  Also, long pants will protect a camper from poison ivy, bugs, and thorns during hikes.  Include dress clothes as well if your camp recommends them.

Footwear – Appropriate footwear is one of the most important items to pack for children at camp, especially when they are hiking and running.  ACA, NY and NJ recommends families consider packing boots, tennis shoes, sandals, lots of socks and dress shoes, if the camp requires them. Remember that shoes should be broken in prior to the start of camp.

Bed and Bath Needs – For children attending a resident camp, parents should remember to pack the home basics. ACA, NY and NJ recommends a family packs multiple towels, as well as a blanket, pillow, pillow cases, sheets, sleeping bag, laundry bag, and mattress pad, if needed. Bathroom Kits are essential.  Parents should pack a brush/comb, shampoo, conditioner, soap and a soap container, toothbrush and holder, toothpaste, deodorant, insect repellent, feminine products, sun block, shaving gear, and lip balm with sun block in it.

Additional Items – ACA, NY and NJ recommends that parents pack some additional items including books and magazines, flashlights and batteries, Frisbees, a water bottle, writing materials, stamps and personal items such as a family photo or favorite stuffed animal.

What to leave at home – Each camp has its own electronics policies and it’s important for parents to understand the policy ahead of time and honor it. Most camps don’t allow devices that contain Wifi, video, gaming content, apps, messaging or phone call capabilities.  Many camps also ask campers to leave hairdryers, makeup and brand name clothing at home.

The "Best" Camp 

Renee Flax is the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey’s Camper Placement Specialist.  She speaks with hundreds of parents a year, helping them find the right camp for their children.   Check out her blog post on the best camp for your child.

When speaking with parents about choosing a camp and discussing various options, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “but what is the BEST camp?” My answer:  the best camp is the camp that is the right fit for your child and the camp he or she is going to be happiest at.   

There are many great day and resident camps to choose from but parents need to do their own research. Each camp has its own philosophy and feel to it, and it’s important for parents to understand what the camp is all about.   The “best” camp for one child may not be the best camp for another.  If your child hates sports, would you send your child to a camp whose program is sports focused just because your best friend’s child goes there?  

My suggestion to parents is make a list of questions and “must haves” for the camp experience you are looking for.  Call the camp director and go over your questions and needs.   Ask yourself if he or she is happy to answer all your questions and spend the time doing so?  It’s important to click with the camp director when choosing a camp so make sure you are comfortable with the director when making a camp decision.  Schedule a camp tour, either the summer before registering so you can see camp in action or if that isn’t possible, tour in the off season which will give you a chance to see the camp and get to know the director and staff.   Camp directors will also do a home visit in the off season so don’t worry if you can’t do visits during the summer.  Make sure whatever camp you choose is inspected by the Department of Health and is ACA Accredited.  ACA Accreditation goes beyond the state's basic licensing requirements and the ACA Standards address specific areas of programming, personnel, health care, emergency response, management practices and youth development.   Involve your child in the search.   Look online together and bring your child to the camp for the tour.  

You might want to take camp information you hear or read about with a grain of salt.   Some parents may voice an opinion about a camp which they haven’t even been to and are just repeating something someone told them.   Comments on camp rating websites are often left by disgruntled parents who feel like they were slighted for some reason and want an outlet to voice their personal opinion.  Articles written on the “best camps” are often just arbitrary lists compiled by a reporter.   Personally, I was once standing on a supermarket line and overheard a woman bad mouthing a camp that I feel runs an amazing program. There are always two sides to every story.  If you see a poor review at a camp you are interested in or someone said something bad about a camp you feel might be good for your child, call the camp director and ask him or her about it.  

Remember, you know your child best and once you do your OWN research, you will just get that “feeling” that you have found the BEST camp for your child.  

Is Your Child Ready for Camp?

Your child going to summer camp for the first time is a big step in his or her life.   While it is an exciting time, your child going to camp may cause some nervousness for your child.  So how do you know when the right time is to send your child to camp?   Consider the following when figuring out whether your child is ready for camp and how to prepare your child for the experience.   

Interest & Readiness - Talk to your child about camp and see if he or she has interest in going. Does your child sound excited about the idea?  Is your child able to separate from you for long periods of time? Remember, the decision to go to camp should be made together.  Keep in mind that the more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel. This helps ease concerns about camp, and can help make a child’s camp experience more successful.

Age - You want to consider your child’s age when considering camp. Day camps are designed for children three-years-old  years and up.  Children can go to sleepaway camp at seven-years-old, but, families should keep in mind that just because a child is a certain age doesn’t mean he or she is emotionally ready for sleepaway camp. 

Day or Sleepaway - Day camp is often a child’s first experience away from home and a step towards independence. Day camp gives campers the best of both worlds:  camp and home.  If you are considering sleepaway camp, make sure your child has had successful overnights away from home with friends and relatives.  Were these overnights positive experiences?  You want to make sure your child is mature enough to go away for an extended period of time and that that he or she can do certain things independently like showering, getting dressed and brushing their teeth.

Expectations – Learn about the camp program ahead of time and create positive expectations for your child.  Talk about camp in the months leading up to camp.  Visit the camp's website together and watch the camp video.  Tour the camp ahead of time when possible.  The more comfortable a child feels, the more successful their camp experience is likely to be.

Positive Messages - It is important for parents to share positive messages about summer camp.  It is common for a child to have some apprehension as the first day of camp approaches—encourage your child to talk about these feelings.  Let your child know you are confident in your child’s ability to have a wonderful summer camp experience

Summer Camp Safety

When choosing a summer camp, parents want to make sure they take an active role in determining that the camp they are sending their child to is fully committed to providing a summer of fun and growth in a well supervised and safe camp environment. Parents should make sure they feel comfortable with the camp director and that he or she is willing and happy to answer any question you may have about the camp program and about safety at camp.   Here is a list of recommended questions parents should ask the camp director about a summer camp’s safety.

• Camp Review – It is important that a camp reviewed.  Ask if the camp program is inspected each summer by the Department of Health and if the camp is ACA Accredited.  ACA-Accreditation is a way of grading how camps are doing. Beyond a state’s basic licensing requirements, ACA Standards address specific areas of programming, personnel, health care, emergency response, management practices and youth development
• Camp Director – Inquire about the camp director’s background and if he or she is a year round camp professional or a seasonal employee.   Year-round camp professionals spend the year focused on camp and concentrate on youth develop, along with recreation.
•  Staff composition and screening – Inquire about a camp’s staff composition.  Parents want to look for a camp director who addresses child protection and safety issues with knowledge and sensitivity. Ask about who is caring for your child.  Ask about age of staff, experience, pre-season and on-going staff training, background checks, staff ratios, the interview process, and camper-staff ratios, work history checks, and character references
• Staff training– Find out what topics are covered during staff training. At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision.  If there are waterfront activities, families want to make sure they are supervised by a certified lifeguard.
• Medical staff- Ask if there is a doctor or nurse in residence or on call for campers at all times. Parents want to be sure there is a nurse or doctor on staff or on call at all times.   Parents want to also make sure the camp has epi-pens and automated external defibrillators on site and that the camp employs staff members trained to use them.
•  Safety procedures - Ask about the safety measures that are in place.  These can include inquiring about medical personnel on property, emergency plans (i.e. evacuation, inclement weather), staff screening procedures, and instructor qualifications.
• Special protocol for off camp ground trips – If campers are going off camp grounds, ask if the accompanying staff have first aid and CPR training, a buddy system or lost camper plan. Find out if counselors bring communication devices with them out of camp.
• Camp references - Look for a camp director who welcomes your request to contact other camp parents.   Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally one of the best ways to check a camp's reputation and service record.  Ask other parents about the experiences of their children at the camp and if they are going back next summer.  Families can also ask these parents for the names of other parents and children who have attended the camp.

Parents Letting Go

Going to camp is an exciting time in a child’s life and often a child’s first step towards self-

reliance.  Often times, parents experience nervousness about letting their child go to camp 

and navigate their way without them.

So, how can parents become more comfortable with their child going to camp?   Renee Flax, Camper Placement Specialist for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey offers parents some tips that will help ease their concerns. 

•           Talk to the camp director.  When you are choosing a camp, ask the camp director questions and get to know him or her.  Ask the director to describe the camp’s philosophy and how the staff implements it.  Make sure the philosophy reflects your own families’ value system.   Find out about the camp director’s background and the staff training.  Ask about the age of the counselors and what is the counselor to camper ratio?  Talking to the camp director and learning about the camp program will help parents feel more comfortable and will ease some nerves they may have.
•        Keep in mind that camp directors have your child’s best interests in mind and the skill to guide your child towards an appropriate level of independence. 
•          Remember that kids often get over the adjustment to new experiences and a new environment before parents get used to the next stage of development.  
•          Once your child is at camp, don’t focus too much on correspondence from camp in the first few days of camp. If you have a discouraging conversation or receive a less than enthusiastic letter from your child, remember that like any new experience, adjusting to camp may take a few days.   
•           Camp is a setting that allows your child to experience the real world in a safe environment. Kids learn quickly to rely upon themselves and the camp staff.   By sending your child to camp, you will be giving him or her the opportunity to grow more independent which builds self-esteem and confidence. 

Five Benefits of Going to Summer Camp

We all know camp is fun.  How could it not be with so many different activities and special events!  But besides the fun children have, there are many benefits for children who attend camp.  Here are just five of the benefits of camp.

Camp allows kids to unplug from technology - Today’s children spend over 7.5 hours a day engaged in media.  The majority of summer camps don’t allow campers to have smart phones, ipads, and computers, allowing children to focus on learning new activities and social interactions.

Camp provides children with the skills needed to become successful adults in the 21^st century - The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), a group of businesses, education leaders, and policymakers including the U.S Department of Education, AOL Time Warner Foundation, Apple Computer, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc. and others, has performed extensive research on the skills needed to become successful adults in life and work in the 21^st century.   The majority of essential skills needed for success are fostered at camp and include oral communication, collaboration, work ethic, creativity, leadership, social skills, problem solving and critical thinking.

Summer camp helps stem summer learning loss in children- Summer programs keep students engaged in learning.   According to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), intentional summer programs, like camp, help stem summer learning loss – providing experiences that challenge children, develop talents, keep them engaged, and expand horizons.

Camp keeps kids active and moving- Children today are more sedentary than ever and they don’t get enough exercise.  According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of children and adolescents are obese.  At camp, children are active all day long playing soccer, swimming, hiking, and playing gaga. 

Children make wonderful friends at camp - Camp is a community where children bond quickly by sharing in the activities and the traditions of camp.  Research by the American Camp Association (ACA) has found that 96% of campers say that camp helped them make new friends and 69% of parents say their child remains in contact with friends made at camp.

10 Questions to Ask the Camp Director

Whether you are looking for a day or sleepaway camp for your child, there are certain pieces of information you should find out in order to make an informed decision. The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey recommends asking the camp director at least these ten questions to help you better understand what a particular summer camp is about. 

1. What is your camp’s mission and philosophy? – Can the director easily explain the camp’s mission statement and philosophy?  Each camp is unique, and provides unique programming and approaches.  Consider whether the camp’s philosophy matches your own.  Also, ask the camp director about the type of child that is a successful participant in their program. 

1. What is your camp’s program? –Are you looking for a traditional well-rounded experience or a specialty program? Think about what activities are must have’s for your child.  How long is each activity?  How many electives do the children get and what kind of help do they receive in choosing them?  Inquire about how long each activity is.                          

3. What type of training and education does the director have? - The American Camp Association recommends directors possess a bachelor's degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least sixteen weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director. 

4. What are the enrollment options- What is the length of the program offered? Is there flexibility?  What is the length of the day?  Is transportation available?

5. What is the staff composition? –Ask who is caring for your child?  Ask about the age of the staff, their experience, pre-season and on-going staff trainings, background checks, the interview process, camper to staff ratios and supervision in cabins and for various activities.

5. What percentage of the campers return each year? While every camp is clearly not right for every child, a large number of returning campers usually indicates a high level of satisfaction with the camp’s programming and operation.

7. What are the safety procedures? - Ask about the safety measures that are in place.  These can include inquiring about medical personnel on property, emergency plans, staff screening procedures, and instructor qualifications.

8. Is your camp accredited?-Find out if the program follows a nationally known accreditation process and if the camp is inspected each summer by the Department of Health. The ACA is the only national organization which establishes uniform standards for reviewing camps. Ask if the program has chosen to participate.

9. Sensitivity to Camper Needs – If your child has special requirements, such as food allergies, religious obligations, ADD, etc, ask how the camp handles special considerations.  Parents should be honest and upfront about their child’s special needs and they want to be certain that the camp is able to accommodate them.

10. Ask for references from the camp - Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally one of the best ways to check a camp's reputation and service record.  Ask other parents about the experiences of their children at the camp and whether their child is returning to camp.