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Summer Planning in the Age of Anxiety

October 28, 2019 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

The subject of childhood mental health is everywhere, and the sleepaway camps and teen programs. While stress levels may go down away from school, anxiety and depression don’t magically disappear for the summer, so camp and program directors spend a lot of time and resources making sure their staffs are prepared to take the best possible care of your children. At our recent Tips on Trips and Camps annual meeting, we asked all of the visiting program directors to talk to us about how they prepare for and manage mental issues and crises. Here are the top takeaways from our meeting:

Summer program directors and leaders are not medical professionals and cannot “fix” a child’s challenges. Appropriate expectations are critical for the child’s success in any summer program.
It may be uncomfortable to be upfront about a child’s mental health history, but summer programs can do a much better job caring for children when they are aware of any diagnosis, counseling, or significant life events (like a death in the family or a divorce). This will not necessarily disqualify your child from participating.
When considering a teen trip, sometimes a program will feel a specific itinerary may be a better choice because of the size or staffing. Parents may also want to consider the age and experience of the trip or program leaders.
While sleepaway camps generally have all medications dispensed by a nurse or medical professional, teen programs generally require their participants to manage their medications. It’s an important consideration for parents of teens who take medications.

Children with mental health challenges can have fun and rewarding summer adventures, but choosing the right program and the right director will make all the difference in a child’s chances for success. Tips on Trips and Camps is a great place to start the search.

Desperately Seeking Summer

March 8, 2019 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

The anticipation of summer not only brings the joy of seeing our kids off to camp but also reminds many of us of our own camp experiences. This never-ending winter has made me long for all the sights, sounds, and smells of summer. Do you feel the same? Take my short quiz to see how badly you need a summer day. Winner gets the hammock first.

You seriously consider ordering cute label stickers for your clothing
You spritz yourself in a bit of bug spray just for the smell
Wet towels out of the washing machine make you feel nostalgic
You asked the waiter for a bug juice cocktail at dinner last night
You intentionally smudge a little sunblock on your clothes before you leave the house

However you prepare for summer, Tips on Trips and Camps advisors are here to help you find just the right sleepaway camp or overnight program. It’s not too late to find great options for this summer, and it’s not too early to look for summer 2020.

The Benefits of Camp Just Keep Giving

March 4, 2019 by elissfontenot Leave a Comment

I knew there would be benefits to sending my kids to overnight camp…try new things, make lifetime friends, grow to be independent to name a few. What I did not expect was that four years after my daughter attended her final year as a camper she would come back to become a counselor, and gain even more life skills.

What she learned that summer was nothing she could have learned as a college freshman in a classroom. The experience was invaluable – so much so that she accepted the position for a second summer. What about the great internship that she would need in in her chosen profession? What about summer school to get ahead in her major? Those things crossed her mind for about ten seconds when she realized the training she was getting as a counselor for whatever job she might have later on was just as, if not more than, valuable.

Please read this article that talks about why employers should hire camp counselors!

What Did I Forget?

December 9, 2018 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

How can the calendar already say December?

My mile-long to do list is stuck in September!

The darkness each afternoon makes me long for the sun,

And also reminds me of one to-do I must get done:

It’s not the holiday planning, shopping, or celebrating,

It’s not the decorating, cooking, or ice skating –

It’s choosing a summer camp for each of my kids!

Sitting on their phones all summer heaven forbids.

But how will I get this giant job done?

Without any worries about whether I’ve found the “one?”

I know what I will do without delay –

I will call Tips on Trips and Camps! Yay!

My Tips advisor asks all the right questions,

And sends me an email with excellent suggestions.

Without much fuss, the decision is made!

I’m the best mom; I deserve a parade!

For all you parents who are worrying what to do,

Tips on Trips and Camps will pull you through!

Why Summer Camp Is More Important Than Ever

July 26, 2018 by Michele 1 Comment

As I am sure many parents can relate, social media and cell phones are making me crazy. Have you noticed how all the kids (and adults) are constantly scrolling, texting and watching things on their devices? Not only is this bad for their mental development, we are raising the next group of hunchback adults.

As I was strolling thru camps earlier this summer, I started to notice how happy all the campers looked. They were so happy talking to their friends, playing games and just being outside. Imagine that – all of these smiles and no Snapchat or Instagram to capture it. How amazing!! You know what else was amazing? They all made eye contact because their heads weren’t hunched down starting at a screen. Call me old-fashioned, but I truly believe that kids are happier at camp because it is now the only place where they can disconnect from the world, but more importantly, they are making real life connections. Laughing with their friends, making memories and feeling good about themselves.

My love for camp is stronger than ever. Can anything really replace face to face fun? How about a time for your child to feel good about themselves and doing things they can truly enjoy, not because they want to post it. Let’s take this a step further. Now I know I may get a lot of backlash from my nearest and dearest but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if camp directors eased up on the camp pictures. I can hear the loud protests. Hear me out – I recently visited a camp that did not post pictures. When I asked the director why not, he said, “kids act differently when they don’t have to be on”. Hmm – that’s true. He then continued, “This is their journey, not their parents”. Even I had to sheepishly admit he was right.

This camp also had the highest percentage of former campers coming back multiple years as counselors. A coincidence? Maybe, but it is something to think about.

Mental Preparedness for “First Time” Camper Parents!

April 21, 2017 by Jenny Wolkowitz Leave a Comment

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.

JACKS: Not Only Your Grandmother’s Game- Jacks is Still a Summertime Camp Fav!

July 9, 2016 by Lisa Leave a Comment

JACKS

Basic VIDEO Instructions click here

Equipment needed to play Game of Jacks:

You can play yourself but the more the merrier.

A small rubber ball

A set of jacks (most sets contain ten jacks)

How to play JACKS:

To decide who goes first, use a method of “flipping”; place the jacks in cupped hands, flip them to the back of the hands, then back to cupped hands. The player who holds the most jacks goes first.
The first player scatters the jacks into the playing area with a throw from one hand. A game is divided into rounds of ascending numbers, which are based on the number of jacks each player must pick up per throw.
The first round, “Onesies,” means that the player throws the ball in the air and picks up one jack then grabs the ball after it bounces once. The player must pick up all jacks this way without missing the jack or letting the ball bounce more than once.
If that happens, it becomes the other player’s turn and the first player is back to the beginning of Onesies.
If all the jacks are picked up successfully, the player moves on to Twosies (pick up 2 jacks per throw), then Threesies, and so on.

objective:

The winning player is the one to pick up the largest number of jacks at once to get to the highest round.

Fun but scary fact about JACKS:

In some Southern African countries, there is a variation of this fun childhood game, called Death Jacks. Instead of playing with nubby metallic jacks, the pieces are sharp spikes that seriously injure the participants. The winner is not the person who reaches the highest level — rather it is he who lasts the longest before forfeiting. This game has been known to carry with it unusually high stakes; it is often used to determine the next tribe leader.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR RULE VARIATIONS…

What better way to spend your summer then playing a simple game at camp during rest hour!

Find your perfect camp through our free service, discover the right camp for you. To find the right camp please contact us. We have 1 week to 8 week sleep-away camp options all over the USA and Abroad! We are a free service and provide you with an easy way to find the perfect match. Call 1-866-222-TIPS or Lisa@tipsontripsandcamps.com to locate the advisor nearest you!

Exploring Summer Options: How Early Is Too Early?

September 11, 2015 by Jenny Wolkowitz Leave a Comment

Often times, parents come to our advisory service too late in the season to find the perfect summer experience for their child. In many cases, the only session in which their child can participate – nestled between baseball season, the family vacation and school starting – is already filled up.

The best way to avoid this situation is to plan summer early. Done right, the process of finding the right camp can take an entire year’s worth of research, but the reward is great. When your neighbors are stressing out about what their child will be doing next summer, you will be sitting pretty with your child already enrolled!

One very helpful thing to do is plan a visit to see camps in action. All camps gladly receive guests, if you schedule an appointment. Most camps are located in beautiful areas near state parks or resort areas, so these visits can be fun for the whole family. You could even plan your family’s vacation at a camp and take advantage of a family weekend. These visits can help your child acclimate to the environment of the camp and make the decision to leave home a lot less scary. And, your first-hand observations of the facilities, the activities or the dining hall routine can help you know if this would be the right place for your child!

If you plan early and you have determined which camp suits your child, you can take advantage of early bird discounts. These discounts usually hold the cost of camp down to the previous year’s tuition or take several hundred dollars off the tuition price.

Some parents might not have the time to research camps on their own. With over 11,000 camps in the United States, it is important to come up with a list of questions to guide you. By doing so, you can narrow the possibilities to a manageable few. Then it is helpful to meet with directors, attend a camp fair, and/or enlist the advice of a summer program advisor.

Tips on Trips and Camps, Inc. is a FREE service specializing in overnight summer experiences for children ages 7-19. Call 866.222.TIPS or visit our website at www.TipsonTripsandCamps.com . Once you register, a local advisor will follow up with you immediately. You know your child and we know the camps. Together, we can find the RIGHT match.

A Fun Way to Get Your Child to Write Home from Camp

June 29, 2015 by Ellen Blum Leave a Comment

Now that it is summer and kids are away at summer camp, parents often find themselves awaiting the arrival of the mail with the hope that there will be letters from camp. If they’re lucky, they may find some brightly colored stationary with the obligatory sentences “I am having a great time at camp”, “I miss you” or perhaps a truthful “The food stinks”. If any campers are like my son, you will be disappointed to find the envelope is empty or, at best, a quick one word “HI”. Many camps have rules that campers must send home 2-3 letters per week, but what is in the letters is not monitored, much to the dismay of us parents.

It’s exciting to think that campers are having such a great time playing sports, waterskiing, hiking, creating art projects or working on a performance that they don’t have time to write. But, as parents, we long to get a glimpse into their life at camp. I have some help to offer.

One of the best things I ever did while my kids were away at camp was to send them a questionnaire, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to send it back. Much like the check-off stationary, I formulated questions for them to answer. When they were younger, the questions would be a bit simple where they could circle the answers. Such as, “Circle the activities that you have tried this week” and I would list ones that I know are offered, like Swimming, Boating, Tennis, Dance, Nature etc.

As the kids got older I looked for some fun and creativity asking “What is the funniest thing that has happened at camp so far?” or “What new foods have you tried?” I liked to ask the names of the campers in their bunks and where they are from, or asking them to draw a picture of the bunk and where is their bed.

Each summer I would come up with new questions and, without fail, I would get these letters back. My kids had fun answering the questions and I heard about experiences I may not have.

Have fun with it!

Sleepaway Camp: Should They Go Where You Went?

February 3, 2015 by Barb Leave a Comment

When seeking a summer camp or a teen program for your child, think about asking yourself this: Whose experience is this? Simple, right? It is your child’s experience and not your own.

So when looking for a sleep away camp or teen program, let’s not forget to seek out the experience that best fits your child and not simply replicate what you may have had. There is a distinction between wanting your child to love camp as much as you did, and sending him to a camp that fits what you but maybe not he or she would enjoy.

Many parents call me and say something like “I loved my camp and think I am going to send my child there, but I am calling you to see what else is out there.” While it is natural and appropriate to want your children to love their camp experiences as much as you loved yours, that experience is often found at a place that is different from where you went as a child. Perhaps your camp had a choice schedule, but you feel your child needs more guidance and structure. Perhaps your camp was super sporty , but your child isn’t interested in competitive athletics, likes to play just for fun or is focused more on the arts.

Certain characteristics will be non negotiable no matter what camps you consider; your values, your ideas about supervision and safety, for example. But others will be very child specific, like activity offerings, level of competition and types of programming.

So when beginning your sleepaway camp search, remember, you are looking for a place where your child can be happy and grow, and it may just be different from the place you loved as a child.

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