Camp advisors are often asked if they have a favorite camp. The answer is there is no perfect favorite camp. A camp advisor’s goal is to make a match between the child and the program. That is what makes a happy camper. Advisors know the programs. Parents know the child and define the criteria they are looking for. They have the final decision but advisors can give parents the tools they need to make an educated decision. They provide parents with questions to consider and to discuss with the directors. Parents receive from camp advisors, factual comparisons describing the experience their child can expect to have and whether it will meet the goals they have set for their child. For example, with languages, will the experience be full immersion or a taste of the language within a large dose of the culture and which do the parent and child want for this summer?
Unmet expectations are the usual cause of disappointment in a summer program. Parents and campers are seldom disappointed if they have done their homework and know what to expect.
Archives for February 2014
Camp Prepares Children for College
As a young mother, I was often given the age-old advice “Cherish every moment. They grow up so fast.” What an understatement! As I now prepare myself for the emotional task of sending my daughter to college, I am so glad that I not only cherished every moment, but that I gave her many moments that she will cherish for a lifetime.
Sending a child to college parallels sending a child to sleepaway camp for the first time. It is an emotional rollercoaster of anxiety, excitement, pride, indecision and ultimately pure joy! I find myself looking back to my daughter’s first year as a camper and remembering the changes she went through in just a few short weeks. Her strength, independence, curiosity and willingness to try new activities was astounding. Whether it was waterskiing for the first time, or climbing the rock wall or performing in the camp theatre production, she participated in new activities each year and gained incredible confidence through these opportunities.
Now I have the confidence in knowing that wherever she goes to college, she will be an independent leader and not only strive for excellence in her studies, but also take advantage of all the extracurricular opportunities that are available.
I have spoken with many parents who feel the same way. Their child may not have been to overnight camp, but perhaps went on a community service trip, a language immersion experience, a wilderness adventure or an academic enrichment program. Whatever the experience, these parents feel that some form of summer program, away from home, helped prepare their child for a successful transition to college.
My advice to young parents is to absolutely cherish every moment but to also give your children opportunities that will allow for personal growth to prepare them for college and beyond.
WHAT CAN PARENTS LEARN FROM A CAMP ADVISOR THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE WEB?
Parents using a camp advisor can learn a great deal about a summer program that is not found on the website or in a brochure. Camp advisors visit sleep away camps to understand the personality and culture of a program. They can share with parents what the value system is and what educational goals directors have for the campers in their care. You should try to understand what the experience will be like for the camper. Advisors learn this from the director, from their own observations and from evaluations from former participants. Parents can learn how the director will handle things when something goes wrong, as things inevitably do. How well prepared are they for the inevitable glitch or accident. Advisors know who the staff are and how they are trained. Parents should take the time to get informed by speaking with a knowledgeable advisor who will have years of experience placing campers in a program and the service is free. Speak with the director to get to know the person to whom you are turning over your child. One criteria an advisor uses is would they be comfortable trusting their child with this director. Speak with past participants to get their perspective. Understand the goals and itinerary and activities to be sure the program is a good fit. Advisors prefer a program to have at least a few years solid track record and some seasoning before they can recommend with confidence that the camp will deliver. A parent in choosing a program should look for all of the above before choosing a program. They can take advantage of an advisor’s long years of experience to get to know the program they will send their child to.
