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