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.