camp advice - 2/2 - Tips on Trips and Camps

Just like ice cream, there are many “flavors” of camps

April 6, 2019 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

I went to three different sleep away camps starting in elementary up through high school, and none of them were right. I’d never before or since had trouble making friends, but I didn’t feel like I fit in at any of those camps. And they were terrific high-quality camps that today as a camp advisor I have have no hesitation recommending. I went for eight weeks each summer, and that was a long time to feel out of sorts. All of my friends from home also attended sleep-away camps, and they all had great stories of fun and friendship which I wanted so very much for myself. I loved the idea of sleepaway camp, just not my sleepaway camps. Now as a camp advisor I know that there are camps for every type of child. I would have flourished at a laid-back, not too spirited, non-competitive place with lots of non-team sport options, and where the activities were mixed ages and selected by the campers. And isn’t it great that there camps like that? No matter your child’s personality or needs, there’s a camp for them.

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.

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.

CAMP FAIRS and ADVICE for 2013–Your Tips on Trips Advisor is ready to help

January 7, 2013 by laura rumbough Leave a Comment

Happy 2013!

It’s that time of year again–the consultants at Tips on Trips and Camps are very busy helping families with overnight summer camp options. We’re also busy planning and preparing to host our annual Summer Opportunity Camp Fairs around the country.

Our camp fairs are a great way for families to look around and get a feel for what’s out there. Not only are families exposed to a wide range of summer program choices, they can speak with representatives or directors of the camps and programs they are interested in. This provides a certain comfort level that many families need before making a decision on a summer program for their child or teen.

One advantage of a Tips on Trips and Camps Summer Opportunities Fair is the personal touch that is available. Tips on Trips consultants are on hand to talk to families, listen to their needs, and direct them to suitable summer programs.

Having a camp advisor to help you with the ins and outs of finding a perfect summer experience for your child is essential, yet not many parents realize that this free service provided by Tips on Trips and Camps is available to them! Your camp advisor will listen to your needs, and help you to find programs that your child is interested in. Whether it be a summer arts program, a language immersion camp, a science focused program, an internship or community service project, a sports camp, a traditional co-ed camp or an all-girl or all-boy camp, the choices are many and your personal advisor will help you to narrow down the search. Your advisor will help you to distinguish between programs and help you to understand the particular culture of a program. An Internet search is great, but it’s difficult to determine the true culture of a camp by looking at a website. A Tips consultant has visited the programs, met the directors, and has an un-biased view. Your personal advisor will take you and your child’s needs into consideration first and foremost.

If summer camp in 2013 is an option for your child this year, don’t delay…call your Tips on Trips camp advisor today!

Summer Camps and Trips – a Perfect Graduation Gift

April 5, 2012 by laura rumbough Leave a Comment

It’s April, and I, like many of the parents I work with am thinking: “what is my daughter going to do this summer?” It would be great for her to get a job, but as we all know, it’s not that easy in this economic climate.

As a camp advisor, I have access to, and relations with hundreds of incredible summer overnight programs. The programs that I represent are carefully screened, I know the directors, and I am familiar with the culture of each and every one. You’d think with all the amazing summer camps and trips out there, my daughter would be chomping at the bit to take part this summer, right? No, not really… She is completely immersed in her schoolwork, sports and extra curricular activities, not to mention the college decision-making process that is happening right now. My daughter, a senior in high school, isn’t ready to think about summer plans yet. I think she just wants to get through the semester, graduate, and then take a deep breath.

But I however, am doing behind the scenes research for her on the most meaningful and fun summer program that I think she would love. The summer trip is going to be a graduation gift to her, a reward for her work well done, and a celebration of all her achievements in high school. She mentioned traveling to Fiji or Australia at one of our dinner conversations. She also likes the idea of doing meaningful community service with families struggling after the hurricane. Or she could join a leadership expedition specifically for graduating seniors, and earn her Wilderness First Responder certification in Colorado. Whether we decide on a two or four week trip, I know once she goes she will love it, meet interesting kids, see amazing sights, and have incredible experiences that she will remember for a lifetime.

Overnight programming in the summer is so valuable. Whether your child is 8 years old, and is a first time camper; or he is 18 years old and is a graduating senior, the lessons learned and the experiences gained can be life changing. Independence, self-esteem, and confidence all come to my mind when thinking about the value of sleep away summer camp. I know that my children have benefited from the fact their mom is a summer camp advisor. They are lucky to have taken part in amazing overnight camps and programs these last six years, and I am grateful for the personal growth they have made as a result of their overnight camp experiences.

Tips on Trips and Camps: 41 Years and Still Growing

January 10, 2012 by Jenny Wolkowitz Leave a Comment

At a time when most companies are down-sizing, camp advisory service Tips on Trips and Camps, Inc. continues to expand.

Co-owner Eve Eifler just announced that Ellen Blum will join the Tips on Trips and Camps team this year as an advisor in Boston. Eifler said, “Ellen Blum comes to us as a camp lover through and through. She has two camp age children and was a camper herself in Maine for many years. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she cannot wait to help the families of Boston find the highest quality summer programs for their kids.”

Co-owner Carey Rivers of Washington, D.C. says, “In the last two years, we have added 7 new consultants and expanded our reach into Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Boston, and Barcelona, Spain. We are proud of the service we provide to families all over the United States and abroad.”

Tips on Trips and Camps, Inc. (“Tips”) was started by two moms in Baltimore in 1971 who wanted a better way to research camps and teen programs for their own children. Today, Tips serves families throughout the United States and abroad via the internet and maintains area offices in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York City and Westchester County, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southern Florida, Connecticut, St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas, New Jersey, Paris (France) and Barcelona (Spain).

Parents call one of their local Tips consultants or register on the Tips website www.TipsonTripsandCamps.com and get instant, FREE access to hundreds of carefully screened and selected camps and teen programs. Rivers said, “We provide clients with the information they need to make an educated decision on summer programs for their child – from questions for directors, to references to call, to on-site visit reports. We are better than Google!”

With all this success, however, Tips on Trips is a relatively unknown resource to many parents. Eifler agrees, “We are not a big budget operation, but our service is invaluable to the parents who know to use it. Our business is mainly word-of-mouth and we keep our clients happy! Of the hundreds of placements we made to camps and teen programs in 2011, 96% of families rated our matches as EXCELLENT or GOOD. We are happy to bring this excellent client service to Boston!”

Packing for Camp—Less is More!!!

March 21, 2011 by Helene Leave a Comment

Now that I know where my child is going to camp, the next big decision is, WHAT DO I PACK FOR CAMP?! The good news is–you probably have many things you need already! Take the camp packing list (usually found the web-site or in the welcome packet) and see what you have around the house first before rushing off the buy everything. See if the camp suggests living out of a trunk or packing in duffel bags that they will stow during the session. Remember, you want your child to have fun and not worry about ruining anything, so send older clothes. I used to tell my kids to leave their socks at camp. They get sooo filthy, you would never get them clean again and most likely, they will bring back someone else’s!! Ask the camp how often they offer laundry service. Most likely, you will only need to pack enough clothes for 1-2 weeks. Depending on the climate, your child may want to layer up in the morning and evenings. They will probably shed that sweatshirt very quickly as the day warms up, but it feels awful good in the morning for breakfast or around the campfire at night! Some camps have special dress up days, so you might need a special outfit or a costume for a themed event. Find out if there is a color war and pack handkerchiefs in those colors, so your child is ready. Mostly importantly, label everything! Even with labeling your child will come home with someone elses clothes and your kids clothes will end up somewhere else! After your child comes home from camp, pack away things in the duffle or trunk for next summer! (flash lights, fans, laundry bags, water bottles, old towels,) When next summer rolls around (and it comes quick! ) you will be that much more ahead of the game!

Bottom line is, CAMP is one of the BEST times of your child’s life, make packing easy, fun and part of the experience!!

What’s New for Camps in 2011?

March 9, 2011 by Jenny Wolkowitz Leave a Comment

What’s new for camps in 2011?

Conditioning – With so many student athletes, some camps are building indoor gyms and employing conditioning directors to give their campers a “leg up” when returning to fall sports. Like never before, activities like Tae Bo, gymnastics, weight training, conditioning, and yoga have become common at camps. There are even summer trips abroad for older teen athletes, combining conditioning (like altitude training), with community service and cultural immersion.
Animal Care – Whether it is with miniature horses, bunnies or alpacas, many camps now offer animal care as a standard activity. If a child wants more of a focus, there are Junior Vet enrichment courses on college campuses. Most camps, at the very least, have a camp animal, so that kids who are homesick for their family pet can seek the comfort of the camp dog or cat.
A Camp within a Camp – You can find specialties such as culinary arts, fencing, science, foreign language, circus arts, horseback, tennis or golf within traditional camps. If your child wants to improve his or her tennis backhand or prepare to make the school basketball team, you should know that many camps offer extra sports instruction for a fee.
Allergies & Food Prep – With the rise in nut allergies, some camps have moved to a peanut-free environment to eliminate the risk completely. In addition, it is not uncommon for camps to offer gluten-free diet options and accomodations for kids with Celiac’s disease or kosher observance.

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