Halloween is a blast every fall, and we’re sure our campers loved celebrating last week. Who doesn’t like expressing themselves with a wacky costume? At Camp Laurel we’re fortunate to have so many opportunities to do just that. Camp is always encouraging creativity through crazy hair, stage make up or ridiculous outfits.
Our favorites include the green and white everywhere for Laurel Spirit Day, Super Seniors rocking khakis and polos to mini-golf at Rummels, and the patriotic madness on the 4th of July. But those are just the beginning! Counselors get in the mix with different ideas for theme nights for our youngest campers. College Days, Olympics and Quest are some of the big events, but it’s never out of place to see tutus, bandanas or face paint anywhere around camp.
The best part of dressing up isn’t always being out and about, but the enthusiasm for planning costumes back in the cabin with your closest friends. Camp is a reminder that you’re never too old and never too cool to dress up and be excited for what’s ahead, and that’s an important lesson for everyone!
We can hear the echoes of parents the world over now…’Start thinking about what? Now? We just finished filling out school paperwork!’ True. Next summer is ten months away. Trust us; we keep a countdown. Newsflash: summer camp enrollment is right around the corner. In fact, for many camps, new camper enrollment is already underway.
Residential camp attendance is on the rise. In fact, the American Camp Association reports a 21% increase in sleepaway camp enrollment over the past decade. One would think this has summer camp directors all over the country jumping for joy—and it does. But there is also a downside to the rising interest in summer camp. As much as camp directors would like to offer an infinite amount of campers a place at their camps, facilities and programs have capacities, which means there are limitations to how many campers each camp can accommodate and still provide the best possible experience. The solution for some camps is a waiting list. Other camps simply stop taking inquiries after their open spots are filled. For a lot of very popular premiere level summer camps, it means longer waiting lists for an already existing shortage of openings. In other words, admission is competitive, and if you wait until the weather starts warming up to start thinking about registering for summer camp, you might find yourself in the cold.
Ideally, if you’re hoping to have a first time camper next summer, you’ve already short listed several camps that you think are the best fit for your child. Maybe you’ve been avoiding making the final call because you prefer one camp while your child prefers another. Maybe you’re just not sure your child is ready for sleepaway camp. Maybe you still have a few questions before making it official. Whatever the reason, now is the time to pull out that short list and start narrowing down the candidates. Even if your child is looking forward to another summer of day camp, now is still a good time to start browsing the web and assembling a list of prospective camps. Thanks to social media, you can follow camps throughout the year and get a feel for the camp’s community. After all, you and your children are going to be a part of whichever one you choose for the next several years. So it’s important to pick the one of which you think your family could feel most a part.
While reviewing social media outlets and the camp’s website, ask yourself: How invested does the camp seem in its programs, facilities and families? Who is the staff and how are they selected? What is the camp’s policy about communication between campers and staff during the winter months? These are very important questions that delve beyond the sparkling lake and impeccably manicured grounds shown on websites or camp videos.
Summer camps are more than the sum total of their promotional videos as well. Use the opportunity to let social media help you get a better picture. You can easily determine parents’ as well campers’ attitudes toward a camp. A strong online community that shows enthusiasm for camp throughout the year is a sure sign of happy camp families.
Once you start to consider the details of what will make you feel comfortable about sending your child off for several weeks or most of the summer, the easier it is to select a camp, and the less likely you are to find yourselves on a waiting list because you quite literally missed your window of opportunity.
Actress Jami Gertz, a summer camp alumni, once said, “There is something very special about being away from your parents for the first time, sleeping under the stars, hiking and canoeing.” Although on the outset this seems like just another quote about summer camp, the use of the word “special” makes it standout. “Special” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “distinguishable,” “superior,” or “of particular esteem.” Every camp, when planning the summer, strives to create an experience that sets it apart from other camps. To those whose exposure to summer camp is limited to Hollywood’s interpretation of it, there may seem to be little that distinguishes one from another. However, to those who attend or have attended summer camp, each one is unique from others. For campers and staff alike, to think of the more than 12,000 summer camps throughout the United States as a collective summer experience is to think of all pizza as having the same flavor. Sure the basic ingredients are the same. Most pizza pies even look similar. But, depending on which toppings you add, one pie might taste very different from another. It’s that special flavor of each camp that gives it that “esteemed” place in the hearts of those who have called it their summer home. Choosing a camp is more than simply deciding to send your child. The values, traditions, activities, facilities, staff, and even the duration all play a role in deciding at which summer camp your child will find the most success.
In a couple of weeks, another summer will start, and thousands of young campers will taste summer camp for the first time. They’ll spend their first night sleeping in a bunk/cabin with fellow new campers. They’ll bond with favorite counselors. They’ll try at least one activity for the first time. They’ll make new friends, learn new songs, and, for the first time, experience life away from their parents. As Jami Gertz said, it will be “special” as they begin gaining the independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence that are all-important ingredients in creating a life that is “distinguishable.” Ultimately, however, the role that summer camp plays in the successes of the lives of campers as children and, as they mature, in helping former campers meet the challenges of adulthood does not simply come down to experience but also in the choice of summer camp. So whether you’re just starting to consider summer camp, have begun searching for a camp, or will be one of the thousands of prospective families touring summer camps this year, be on the lookout for the right mix of ingredients that will create that “special” experience for your child.
If you’re a first-time potential camp family who has combed the websites, followed the blogs and Facebook pages, spent several weekends touring summer camps, spoken with the directors, and have made the decision that summer camp is definitely for your children, you’re probably wondering right about now when to enroll. Even though the obvious answer might seem to be when the snow melts–right about the time your children begin complaining of having to spend so much time inside and you hope the snow melts soon so that they can before you pull your hair out—most camp families are beginning to think about packing by then. Welcome to the world of summer camp! In fact, summer camps typically open early registration in late fall.
Because camps typically have a very limited number of remaining spaces after returning campers and their siblings commit to another summer, the earlier you enroll the better. Aside from guaranteeing your new campers a place at the sleepaway camp of their choice, it gives you adequate time to begin planning for the summer ahead. After all, now that you’ve made the big decision to send your children to summer camp, you’ll want to set your campers up for success.
Camps often give returning campers the first opportunity to enroll, and use the return rate as a way to determine how many new campers they can accept. However- there are almost always spaces in certain age groups throughout the year. Call the camp – they will help you and be the best source of availability!
If you’re a new or returning family who is not quite ready to commit yet, reach out the camp and let it know that you’re interested. Share concerns if you have them and get answers to questions. The camp is more likely to reserve a place for you if you are communicating with the directors than if they don’t hear anything at all. And, of course, if you’re a little behind the game, never assume that the camp of your choice is full. Sometimes additional space opens late in the registration season and camps can accommodate late comers. Always contact the camp!
It’s fall. So who cares about summer camp, right? Tell that to the thousands of summer campers and staff members who have quite literally already started the countdown to next summer. We’re talking smart phone apps tracking time down to the second. Perhaps this is the perfect reason why you should begin thinking seriously about summer camp next year if you haven’t already done so.
If your children have already heard about camp from their friends, then the idea has been planted. Now is the perfect time to talk to your children to see if summer camp might be the right option for your children next summer. Sure, it’s only fall now but…the holidays are around the corner. We all know what those months are like. It’s October, you’re wondering how many bags of Halloween candy you should buy for the trick-or-treaters. Then you blink and it’s New Year’s Eve.
If you’re new to camp, you might be surprised to learn that many camps have already opened enrollment for next year. Crazy, right? It’s not lareally so crazy when you stop to consider that Camp Laurel operates at capacity enrollment every season. Many of those campers, particularly those who are of junior high and high school age, are returning campers. Siblings of existing campers are often given first priority in early registration. After those spots are filled, any remaining spots, typically fewer than for which there is demand, are made available to new campers.
Not surprisingly, extremely popular premiere level camps , like Camp Laurel, are popular for a reason, and one of those reasons is that we take great pride in the balance of personalities we assemble every summer. This means that enrolling might not be as simple as filling out an application and submitting an application fee. We like to meet you in order to make sure that you’re right for our camp and that our camp is right for you. And why wouldn’t you want to meet us, too? After all, this is where you’re thinking of sending your children to live for all or a portion of the summer. You’re basically searching for a summer family for them. It’s one thing to look at a brochure and think, ‘Oh, that’s pretty! And it looks fun!’ But sometimes it’s another thing entirely to meet the people who will be caring for your children as well as the children with whom they will be living and participating in activities.
So, yes, even though a new school year is just barely underway, now is a great time to start thinking of summer camp. Get your child’s thoughts. Sit down and make a list of your own expectations for a summer camp. Then, start doing research. Get on the internet and start checking camp websites, Facebook pages, etc. These days, a camp’s online community can speak volumes. If campers and staff members are still thinking of and missing camp in the midst of that holiday rush that we all blink and miss, then chances are you’ve found a winner!
The unseasonably warm and pleasant weather seems to be bringing on summer faster. The flowers are blooming, the birds are back, and the days are sunny. It’s hard not to take advantage of the opportunity to prematurely engage in all of one’s favorite summer activities a little bit. The other day, my sisters and I caved. We decided to rally my niece, go to the park and, yes, even though three of the four us fully qualify as grownups, play on the playground. I’m convinced that no matter how old one gets, no one ever gets tired of swings. It turns out that we weren’t the only ones with such an idea. The place was packed, children and adults everywhere. The park had even opened up the boating dock, something that they usually don’t do until Memorial Day Weekend. People were out on the lake in rowboats and paddle boats. They were picnicking. They rode by on bicycles, skates and skateboards. The comforting familiar smell of campfire from the nearby campground even permeated the air. It was as if 2012 had transposed May and March. My niece and I managed to score the last two remaining swings while my sisters preoccupied themselves on the monkey bars.
My niece and I have this game we play. We see who can swing the highest. The little boy between us apparently thought our game looked fun because he joined in. As we slowed down for a bit after tiring ourselves out, he started a conversation. I think he actually wanted to talk to my niece but decided I’d make a good mediator—at least in the beginning. His name was Hunter. What is her name? Angelica. How old is she? She is six. Same as me, he said. What grade in she in? First. Same as me, he said again. He jabbered on. His dad had told him that if he was good they might rent a paddle boat later. Maybe Angelica could come on the paddle boat with him. He wished the concession stand was open so he could get ice cream. Earlier in the day he’d gone to his swimming lesson at the JCC. Then his mom signed him up for camp there this summer. I perked up. Every now and then, chance throws a writer a bone and you have to grab it and run with it. Camp, huh? Do you stay overnight at this camp? No, I’m not old enough. I didn’t tell him that I already knew this. The minimum age for most overnight camps is seven. Is this your first time at the camp? Yes, my sister went last year. She said it’s really fun. What do you think will be the most fun? Ummm…I don’t know. I don’t really know what we do there. I bet you swim there. Yeah, I think we do. I worked at a camp. You did? Yep. Only everyone stayed overnight at my camp. His eyes grew. They did? Yep. I think I would like to do that someday. Was it fun? Yep. What was it like there? I looked around at the bicycles and the boats. I took in the smell of campfire in the air and listened to the sound of all of the children playing and laughing. It’s a lot like this. I think I would like that, he said. Hunter had no idea that he made my day and helped me out a lot by literally handing me material for a camp blog. I hope he has fun at the JCC camp this year…and that he makes it to overnight camp someday. If you haven’t thought about sending your children to camp, take a trip to your local park on a nice spring day. Your senses just may help the decision become clear.
Starting about now and over the next couple of months, it seems that advertisements for summer camp fairs are everywhere you look. Though many families begin researching summer camp in late fall or early winter (or some early as early as the summer before), as soon as the snow starts to melt, they realize how close summer really is and that it’s time to make a decision. Camp fairs are one way to visit with many camp representatives or directors in one area. However, schedule conflicts or distance sometimes make attending camp fairs impossible. That’s why some camps will come to you! Home visits are typically as simple as expressing interest in a camp and requesting a home visit. The camp will work with you to arrange a time for a camp representative, usually a director, to come to your home when he or she is in your area, talk to you about the camp, and address any questions or concerns you may have about the camp specifically or just about camp in general. Afterward, together you can decide with the director or representative whether your child would be a good fit for the camp. Camp directors enjoy home visits because it’s a great way for them to get to know prospective campers and their families in an environment in which they are comfortable.
Because the individual who comes to your house is typically a director, home visits are not only an ideal alternative to camp fairs but they are also a great way to get know the individual at the helm. For international families or those who live outside of areas in which camps offer home visits, Skype visits are a terrific alternative. A Skype visit is the same basic concept as a home visit, except instead of an in person face to face chat, a visit is conducted via Skype. If you’re interested in a home visit, please contact those camps in which you’re interested to find out when a representative will be in your area. Because it’s the perfect chance to learn about the camp in a relaxed environment, it’s a good idea to do some homework before your home visit and know which questions you’d like to ask. Other than that, however, after you’ve arranged your home or Skype visit, there’s nothing further for you to do except for the doorbell to ring or the call to come through. It really is as convenient as that!
The leaves are falling off the trees and the weather is starting to cool down, but it’s not too early to start thinking about sending your children to summer camp next summer. There is certainly no shortage of American summer camps and finding the right one for your children is essential to their success there. There’s a lot to think about, which makes now a great time to start thinking about what you want in a camp.
Traditional summer camps are a great way to introduce children to summer camp because they offer a broad and well-rounded experience. Children still trying to find their niche in a sport or hobby find great success at these camps because they’re given opportunities throughout the summer to take part in many different types of activities.
The length of the summer camp you choose is also important. Most overnight camps accept campers from the age of seven. When considering camps, it’s key to consider your family’s lifestyle, your children’s other activities and commitments, and even your children themselves. Many embrace the traditional seven week experience because it removes the stress of trying to figure out how to keep children active and entertained during summer vacation.
Consider how far away from home you want your child to travel as well. Some parents prefer to send their children to a summer camp within a few hours of home while others view summer camp as a way to introduce a global perspective to their children and send them abroad to attend summer camp. This is particularly becoming a trend in Europe, where European parents are deciding that they’d like their children to experience traditional American summer camps. However, increasingly, parents from all over the world are making this decision as well. Many American parents find the amazing reputations, beautiful campuses, and the breathtaking scenery of Maine idyllic and send their children from as far away as California, Florida, and many other states.
The structure of a camp’s program should be given careful consideration as well. As they grow older, most campers like to make decisions about their daily activities at camp, and Camp Laurel gives them the opportunity to do so. However, we find that younger campers, especially those new to summer camp, prefer a structured program with all or most of the decisions about their daily activities made for them.
Once you have decided what type of camp, length, location, and program are right for your child, you will likely find your search narrowed to a manageable number of camps. At that point, it’s important to start learning about the camps that fit your criteria. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve already found Camp Laurel’s website and are on the right track. We also invite you to check out our Facebook page, and sign up to follow our Twitter feed. By doing this now, you will give yourself plenty of time to watch, read, and listen. If you are unfamiliar with camp, you will be pleasantly surprised at how active our summer camp community remains throughout the winter. In fact, many of our families will tell you that camp never really ends for them—and that’s a good thing.
The American Camp Association (ACA) is the parent organization of American Summer Camps. The most reputable American summer camps voluntarily adhere to standards set by the ACA and, in search of accreditation, undergo a thorough evaluation process every three years during which their processes, facilities, emergency plans, staff training, and operations are very carefully scrutinized and then scored. Based on their scores, summer camps either receive accreditation from the ACA or are told what they must improve in order to be accredited.
The ACA accreditation is no small feat and receiving it requires a tremendous amount of meticulous effort on behalf of summer camps. However, it’s worth the reward. ACA accreditation elevates a camp’s reputation and credibility to other camps. However, more importantly, parents thinking of sending their children to camp should be concerned about ACA accreditation. ACA accreditation provides that extra peace of mind that the summer camp you’ve chosen for your child goes that extra mile to insure that everything they do—and how they do it—is nothing short of top notch.
For all four of America’s Finest Summer Camps, merely meeting the minimum guidelines for accreditation is unacceptable. We strive to meet and exceed all expectations of the parents who choose to send their children to one of our camps. For us, “premier” isn’t merely a title given to a great camp, it’s a state of mind. We are proud to be the best and offer the best. As such, we never stop preparing for standards. We do not simply breathe a sigh of relief and spend the next couple of years resting after the ACA pays its bi-annual visit. We’re constantly updating policies, improving and maintaining our facilities, re-evaluating our current procedures for best practices, and working to be nothing short of excellent.
