With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the Tips on Trips and Camps girls, want to say how thankful and appreciative we are for allowing us to make your kids summer amazing. Just wanted to remind everyone that there are some great new opportunities available for Summer 2018. Give us a call when you’re ready to start planning! Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
REFRESH, REFRESH, REFRESH
Yes, it’s that time of the year again. In full disclosure, I am and have been 100% guilty of all I am about to tell you not to do. But I have sound support and examples of why you should do as I say, and not as I often do.
So for the past 11 years, I drive to the bus stop – chase my kids for pictures, give them multiple hugs and kisses good bye, wave until my arms hurt, wipe away my tears and then run home to my computer to scan pictures posted by their camp. Is this good? NO!!! First of all it hurts my husband’s feelings. He wants us to enjoy our time together. Don’t get me wrong, I love having this time with him, but how can I be in a good mood if I am worried about my kids. But really, are those camp pictures going to give me that assurance? I know that the answer is no.
Don’t we send our kids to camp to take a break from technology? Are we sending mixed signals? No phones, no computers, enjoy the outdoors, but make sure you get in a lot of pictures, because we, the parents, aren’t taking a technology break. Maybe we should take that break as well.
I have experienced first hand how pictures/videos can be totally deceiving. Let’s go back nine years. It is my middle son’s first year at camp – the same boy who was so excited to go to camp, and the same boy who always has a good time. His division went on an overnight on the other side of camp and one of the staff members decided to take a video of the night. There I was watching so intently that my eyes were almost popping out of my head – there he is!!! One quick glimpse, but wait – he looked miserable. I kept watching knowing that it must be a mistake and there he is again- looking miserable again and all by himself! I did not know what to do. I couldn’t breathe or sleep. I was beside myself. My fun, smiley son looked so upset and was all by himself both times I saw him in the video. My thoughts were, “We made a mistake, he was too young for camp, I have ruined his entire camp experience.” Waiting for our next phone call seemed like an eternity, even though it was the very next week. What to do – bring it up or keep it positive and not focus on his misery. During our conversation, I casually mentioned the overnight. His response was, “The overnight was awesome, it was my favorite night of the summer so far.” Seriously, I had just spent the past week developing an ulcer because I thought he was so unhappy. The take away should have been not to take the pictures or videos too seriously. They don’t capture the whole story. Did I learn my lesson? I would like to say yes, but that would be a lie however I do realize making assumptions could easily spiral to a new level of psychosis. So now, I will only look once a day and not jump to any conclusions. In fact my favorite pictures are not only the ones where they are posed and smiling, but also the ones where my kids are in the background. They each show different perspectives both are valuable.
Enjoy the pictures and videos from camp but treat them as a bonus not a survival line. Let your kids tell you all about their adventures without you piecing together what you think happened based on studying and analyzing every photo all day long.
Sending Your Love to Camp–What to know about sending letters and care packages!
You’ve hugged and kissed your child and confidently sent them off to camp. Next step, CARE PACKAGES! As someone who has worked in the camp mailroom, I have seen the mailman and Fed-ex man drop off hundreds of packages to be delivered to hundreds of children having the time of their lives at camp. Camps require that packages are screened and I have opened many with cleverly hidden “contraband” (candy) inside. Most camps to not allow candy with good reason, it brings bugs and other creatures into the cabin and often there are kids with peanut allergies so some candy could be dangerous.
Check your camp’s mail/packages policy. Many are getting away from boxes, only allowing flat packages and letters. If your child’s camp allows packages, there are a variety of options. There are numerous companies on the internet that will send prepackaged goodies right to your child’s camp gate. Etsy and Pintrest also have darling creative out of the box ideas, or stop at your local Target, Dollar Store, or Walmart and shop the aisles .
Here’s few ideas!
A pillow case to decorate.
A quiet time kit: a deck of cards, stationary/pens.
Temporary tattoos
A book or magazine
A small book light.
Colored Zinc sunscreen- 2 fold, protects their sweet faces and also a fun decoration.
A fun girls package- nail polish, hair products, fun socks.
July 4th packages- anything red, white and blue.
Probably one of the most special things your child can receive is a hand written letter from you. Letters are uniquely powerful in the lives of camper and a parent. After camp your child can get them out and read and reread the letters, a treasure of wonderful memories for years to come. When you write, assume your child is having a good time and say so in your letter. Show enthusiasm and ask questions about their new friends, new activities, wonderful camp food and their new experiences. Do not say how much you miss them or how much the dog or cat miss them. To encourage writing, send addressed and stamped post cards to camp with you child.
Mail call is one of the many highlights of a camper’s day! Care packages do not need to be big or letters long. It is better to keep it simple: a card, a little love note, or a small box of goodies is all it takes to put a smile on the face a busy camper and send a long distance hug.
Packing for Camp… Where do I begin?!
The excitement of Summer begins!
Packing for Camp…..Where do I begin?!
The good news is, you probably have many things your child needs for camp in your house. Take the packing list (usually found on the camp website or in the welcome packet) and check around the house before heading off to the store. Find out how often the camp offers laundry service. Most likely, you will only need to pack enough clothes for 1-2 weeks. For items you do need to buy, checkout these helpful websites for ordering camp gear:
CampStuffforless.com
Also, labeling everything is a must! Check out Label Daddy for super cute labels! Of course a black sharpie always works too! To help keep your child organized, use large baggie’s to pack small items, underwear, socks, etc.
LabelDaddy.com —- for every kind of label you can think of! And use our 20% discount code! Tipsontrips
Remember, you want your child to have fun and not worry about ruining their clothes. It’s not about the clothes, it’s the enriching, fun time your child will experience at camp.
After your child comes home from camp, pack away things in the duffle or trunk for the next summer. (flashlights, fans, laundry bags, water bottles, towels) When next summer rolls around you will be that much more ahead of the game!
CAMP is one of the BEST times of your child’s life, make packing easy, fun and part of the experience!
“Every morning I wake up thinking I’m one day closer to camp.”
Mental Preparedness for “First Time” Camper Parents!
Now that your child has made the all-important decision to “go away” to camp, you might be wondering how best to prepare for summer. And, often times, it is you – the parent – who is more nervous for their child’s first sleep away camping experience. Don’t worry, though! Here are some tips to ensure a successful summer experience – both for your child and for you:
- If you are experiencing fear or anxiety about sending your child off to camp, discuss it with your spouse or friends (not your child). Sensing that you are worried will only worry your child.
- Avoid statements like “I’m going to miss you terribly”. While you might believe that you are reassuring your child, you don’t want her to feel guilty about leaving you.
- It is okay to let your child know that he might experience some homesickness and that it is normal and natural for most kids. Talk to the camp to find out how they handle homesickness and let your child know that there will be a counselor or even a “camp mom” whose sole job is to comfort homesick campers.
- If you were a camper once yourself, you could heighten your child’s interest in camp by pointing out some of the exciting things you remember about your own camping experiences.
- Do NOT offer to pick your child up if she is not having a good time. Avoid statements such as “If you don’t like camp, you can come home.”
- Arrange times when your child can “practice” being away from home prior to camp, even if it’s just a sleepover at a friend’s house.
- Tell the camp administrators that your child may be predisposed to homesickness due to unusual circumstances at home (e.g. a pending divorce, a permanent move, or a serious illness in the family).
- Ask how you can find out if your child is having a good time. Each camp is different. Many camps post photos on their website to reassure parents that their children are indeed participating and having fun. Others might arrange to have a first-time camper call home, particularly if you have specific concerns.
- Camps’ policies about emails, letters, packages and phone calls also vary. Review these policies with your child in advance, so that they know what to expect once they arrive.
- If your child is still attached to a “blankie” or a certain stuffed animal, she might be hesitant to take it with her to camp fearing that she is the only one still with a security item. Pack it in a pillowcase or a bag, however, so that she knows she will have it if she needs it at camp. She might even end up comparing her lovey with her cabin mate’s, once they have bonded and feel a little more comfortable.
- Make your child a small photo album with pictures of family members and the family pet, or tape the pictures to the inside of their trunk (where they can always take a peek).
- Give your child pre-addressed, stamped envelopes or postcards. And, send a letter in the mail before your child arrives at camp so that a welcome message will be waiting there on their first night of camp.
Camp is not just for kids!
Yes, camp is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain independence, foster self-reliance, embark on new adventures, make new friends, and acquire much-sought-after grit and resilience! But did you know that camp is also good for parents? Time away from children enables parents to reconnect, enjoy adult-centered time, or even take an adult-only vacation! Or, if other children are home while siblings are at camp, the one-on-one time parents can enjoy with that child is an added benefit that is often rare during the school year.
Separation from your children, whether for two weeks or all summer, is as beneficial for you as it is for them.
Reconnect as a couple
An unscheduled summer weekend is unusual these days. Reclaim your own free time while kids are away and reconnect to your spouse. You will quickly realize how long it has been since you’ve had such freedom.
Be yourself again instead of “Katie’s mom”
…at least for a few weeks! Do the things that you want to do rather than all the things you have to do for your family the rest of the year. Learn to paddleboard, take an art class, play sports, take pictures of objects, landscapes, or people other than your kids! Most parents, especially those who work outside the home, feel they do not have enough time for leisure and for doing whatever makes them happy as a person, not just as a parent.
Use this time well
Parenting is a stressful business. Juggling jobs, schedules, and the needs of different children while keeping the house organized and dinner on the table is taxing for even the most organized parent. Use this time to lower your stress levels and put yourself first while the kids are away – if you do, you will be a better parent and couple when they come home.
Camp Readiness for Kids with Learning Differences
Springtime is often when parents of kids with learning differences assess their child’s readiness for sleepaway camp. If you think this is the right summer for your child, here are some questions to consider as you begin your camp search. Your answers will help you identify the best type of camp environment for your child.
- Does my child usually make friends easily?
- Does my child typically get along well with children their same age?
- Can my child follow rules and instructions?
- How does my child react to transitions large and small?
- What information does my child need to feel comfortable before a transition?
- How does my child show their frustration or anxiety?
- Are there repetitive behaviors you would expect your child to show at camp?
- Can my child manage sleep-overs with friends?
Camp directors agree that providing a realistic picture of your child’s behavioral, emotional and special needs up front is the best way to determine fit. A face to face meeting (or an online video conference) with the camp director and your child during the camp selection process is helpful for all families no matter their needs. And if you decide that this summer is not the right time, then think about visiting a camp or two while they are in session. A visit will provide you with lots of opportunities to discuss camp with your child in the months to come.
Pleased Your Teen Found Their Groove? Now Challenge Them!
Having had two teens of my own and advising countless others it occurred to me that the best advice for parents for summer planning for teens is often one that is counter intuitive. Teen years can be full of struggles as kids try to find their place in school, with friends, and in life in general. As parents we support and nurture them as they try to find their way. We feel so good when they are happy, engaged and comfortable.
However often the best advice for how to choose a summer program once your teen has found their groove is ask them to consider stepping out of it.
Challenge them to…
- Choose the program that seems a stretch
- Go some place new and different
- Eat food that is foreign and may be strange
- Push harder physically than they thought possible
- Meet kids who are different from best friends at home
- Consider issues that make them think of the world differently
Moving outside of the comfort zone that they worked so hard to find just might spark a new way of looking at their lives and how they fit moving forward.
Another snow day? Make it a CAMP DAY!
With the recent abundance of snow in the Northeast comes the frustrated Facebook posts from my friends; “ Cooped up again with the kids” and “Anyone have ideas of what to do now that school’s canceled…again?” Make it a camp day!
Start the day out with choices of cereal, cinnamon toast, pancakes and, of course, hot chocolate. Your winter camp day has begun.
Instead of automatically turning on the TV, take out some arts and crafts. If you have gimp or colored thread in the house you can make bracelets or key chains. (youtube is always available for a quick tutorial). Perhaps you could get a white pillowcase and decorate it for your camper to bring with them this summer.
What camp day is complete without songs? Take some time to choose themes and write funny, quirky songs to share. Don’t take it too seriously. Laughter is the best part.
If your child will be going to camp this summer, it is the perfect opportunity to organize a list of items he or she will be bringing with them or need to buy. Just thinking about camp in the winter is exciting.
Of course, the culmination of a great camp day is making smores. Here is a quick and easy recipe which will make your whole house smell like camp.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, melted 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup white sugar 3 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In medium bowl, combine butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs until well coated. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with chocolate chips and then the marshmallows.
Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker mixture over the marshmallows and press down with a spatula.
Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes, until the marshmallows are melted.
Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Have fun with the kids. They grow up quickly. Enjoy these moments.
The Who, What, When, Where, and Why’s of Choosing A Summer Camp
When I was in school many, many years ago I was taught the “5 W’s” of information gathering. We all know them: WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN and WHY. If you answer all these questions you probably will get a complete answer to any issue.
If you apply this paradigm to the summer camp search I think the same will apply.
WHO do you look to for information? Friends and family are good resources but also independent summer camp advisors have years of experience helping families
WHAT questions should you ask in order to get the information you need to make an informed decision? There are many articles written about the summer camp search process – browse the Internet. Also, consider calling a camp advisor – we are FREE and we can assist
WHERE do I start? Begin by identifying a non-negotiable item. For some it is a single sex v. coed camp, for others it is location. For some it is cost and others duration. Another consideration may be the focus of the camp… do you want a non-competitive program or one with a strong focus on sports or arts? There are many considerations but if you can identify 1 or 2 you are well on your way to finding that perfect summer program.
WHEN is a good time to start looking? Any time! At the beginning of the summer you have the advantage of visiting camps and perhaps getting an Early Bird discount. During the Fall and Winter there are many camp fairs and directors are eager to talk or even meet families. Sometimes there are last minute deals in May.
WHY is it important to get all this information? When you send your child away you want to make sure you have made an educated and informed decision.
HAPPY CAMPING!
