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.