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Camp Activities, Assigned or Chosen. Which is Best?

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Camp Activities, Assigned or Chosen. 

Which is Best?

When researching which sleep away camp would be a good fit for your child one feature that should be considered but is often overlooked is how the campers’ days are planned. There are two approaches to camp scheduling and either is a good option depending on you and your child.  Camps with a CHOICE SCHEDULE have the campers choose the activities. At TRADITIONALLY STRUCTURED camps the activities are assigned by age group or bunk.

Sometimes when I consult with a family the mom will say, “My child works so hard in school and her time is packed with obligations. I want camp to be about what is important to her.” That family would feel quite comfortable with a camp where the campers choose the activities. A budding tennis player can spend every day on the court or a child who is passionate about arts can focus on the many arts projects they will find in the arts barn. This style is particularly good for a child who is self directed and who can advocate for themselves. Alternatively, a family who wants their child to be exposed to everything camp has to offer might be happiest with a traditionally structured schedule. This is especially good if a child is tentative or gets overwhelmed with too many decisions. This structure gives campers a broad and balanced exposure to all their offerings and builds on new skills in a variety of disciplines.

What are the pluses and minuses?

Choice Schedule:

  • + Kids can build skills in areas of high interest by choosing them more often
  • + Kids feel empowered by controlling their activities
  • + Friendships based on shared love of a specific activity are made
  • – Kids who are reluctant to try things they have never done might not take advantage of all a camp has to offer
  • – Bunk cohesiveness is more challenging at this style of camp

Traditionally Structured by the Camp

  • + Everyone will be exposed to all the camp has to offer
  • + Kids learn skills in activities that they did not think they would like
  • + Friendships in the bunk are easier to make because the kids are together throughout the day
  • – Wider friendships with kids of different ages are not as easy to develop
  • – A camper might have to participate in something they really don’t like

One could argue for either approach. The key is which one fits your child.

Tips On Trips And Camps Creates 2014 List To Help Explore Summer Options

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Learn how a sleep away experience provides a positive opportunity for growth. Tips on Trips and Camps recommends the best ways to find information about quality summer programs that can change your child’s life.

January 05, 2015

Camp provides a positive opportunity for growth that should not be under-estimated. It can be an integral part of a child’s educational and social development. For the first time, they leave their homes and deal with campmates that may have different values or behaviors. They will learn to make choices for themselves and to negotiate and resolve conflict. They will learn how to deal with stress in a socially acceptable manner and to include, instead of exclude. They will learn to assess and differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate behavior and, ultimately, gain a stronger sense of self. Camp provides the backdrop for this personal growth in a safe and secure environment.

How do you find a summer program for your son or daughter that will successfully support these opportunities for positive development? Why not explore many options at once, by attending a camp fair.

  •     Take advantage of the opportunity to meet directors and learn about traditional sleep away camps, creative and performing arts camps, wilderness adventures, sports camps, travel, internships, language immersion, academic enrichment and community service programs throughout the U.S. and abroad.
  •     Camp fairs are hosted throughout the United States and abroad by TIPS ON TRIPS AND CAMPS. See a list of our camp fair sites at: https://tipsontripsandcamps.com/summer-advice/local-camp-fairs/
  •     Discuss ALL the options with knowledgeable summer program advisors on site.

Can’t come to the Fair? Call 866.222.TIPS or visit our website at TipsonTripsandCamps.com. Once you register, a local advisor will follow up with you immediately. Co-owner, Carey Rivers says, “you know your child and we know the camps. Together, we can find the RIGHT match.”

Tips on Trips and Camps, Inc. is a FREE service specializing in overnight summer experiences for children ages 7-19.

Endless Opportunities at Overnight Camp

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“Going to Summer Camp” doesn’t mean the same thing it did when we were campers. Twenty or thirty years ago summer camp was “a place in the country” where campers played tennis and baseball and other sports, swam and learned to belly flop off the diving board, and made lanyard bracelets (remember those).  Such activities are still part of summer camp, but times have changed:  there is oh, so much more out there now!

Campers’ interests have evolved since our camping days and camps are meeting the needs of present day campers. A child gearing up to try out for their high school’s gymnastics team may want to get practice time and coaching to improve his or her chances of making the squad. Camps now offer specialized one-on-one private instruction to give quality training in their special sport. Professional instructors are often brought on staff for that purpose.

And sports aren’t the only more recently available activities. Drama and musical theater training, film making, computers, sailing, SCUBA – you name it – you’re probably in luck! There are programs available for campers with almost any interests. So ask yourself what would make your child’s camping experience more fun, more exciting, more valuable, more memorable, or better yet, ask your child what he or she wants to get out of their summer. You might be surprised by their responses. The list of such opportunities are endless IF you know how to find them. Tips on Trips has checked them out and can connect you with them. It’s what we do!

Nowadays there is something special to meet the needs and desires of every child who wants to go to summer camp and Tips on Trips can put you, your child and that special something together. Tell us what you want and let us see what we can recommend.

 

Experts On Overnight Camps & Trips For Ages 7-18+

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Tips on Trips and Camps has always been and continues to be committed to equality for all. The advice we give endorses inclusion, awareness, sensitivity to others, equality and support to families and their children including but not limited to individuals of varying abilities, cultures, genders, races and religions.