sleep away camp - Tips on Trips and Camps

Embracing Growth: The Journey of Sending Your Child to Overnight Camp

May 5, 2024 by Helene Leave a Comment

Sending your child off to overnight camp is a significant step filled with a mix of emotions, but it’s an incredible opportunity for growth. Camp provides a wide range of fun activities that not only entertain but also teach valuable life skills. From sports to arts and crafts to outdoor adventures, children learn resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork. The camp environment fosters independence as kids make decisions and manage their time without parental guidance. Additionally, it’s a chance for them to disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature, forming lasting friendships along the way. While it’s natural to worry, trained staff ensure the safety and well-being of every camper. So, embrace this opportunity for your child to grow and anticipate their return with stories of adventure and newfound confidence. Take comfort in knowing that they are in good hands and that this experience will leave them with cherished memories and valuable life lessons. It’s going to be a great summer for both you and your child!

Sights and Sounds of Summer Camp

January 17, 2023 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

It’s been decades (gulp!) since I have been at overnight camp. Decades since my younger self walked the paths, sang all the songs, jumped in the lake while morning mist was still rising from it, heard the bugle play reveille to wake us, and heard the loons at night singing us to sleep. And yet, camp is never too far from my mind. It could be on a hike in a forest somewhere in the world, where the smell of pine needles warmed by the sun brings me right back to New Hampshire. Or I hear a crazy song lyric that reminds me of some silly song that we used to sing – and I still remember every word. Or I’m in a lodge that happens to use the exact style of cups and plates we used at camp, and they make the same sound when being stacked and passed. I can’t hear a whistle at a pool without instinctively raising my hand for buddy check. And there is the particular sound of a screen door that slams when the spring attached to the frame stretches and releases that takes me right back to the cabin. But those loons! They have a sound I have only ever heard at sleep away camp, whether as a camper so long ago, or as an adult at family camp. Now I’m a mom to three camp kids, and those sights and sounds belong to them too. They will someday have their own memories that bring them back to camp, just as I do, no matter how far they roam.

Give your child or teen a lifetime of memories to treasure, and let us help you find the perfect match – our advice is free, and the experiences last forever.

The Tips on Trips and Camps 2020 Gift Guide is Back!

December 9, 2020 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

While we eagerly await the end of 2020 and cross our fingers for the return to normalcy in 2021, the holiday season is upon us, pandemic or not. We’ve got gift ideas for your camper, traveler and student, and even a treat just for you! These gifts are guaranteed to keep your family screen-free and enjoying time together until summer adventures return.

Camp swag is always a big hit at the holidays – check out this fuzzy fleece camp blanket by LoveKess Clothing that can be personalized for your child’s camp. Trick out your cabin or dorm with LED lights that stick to bunks or walls or these fairy lights that could be used in a camp talent show or dress up lunch. And nothing says camp like tie dye! How about these great tie dye socks and customizable sweatshirts

Travelers will love these colorful passport cases and essential packing cubes, and check out this duffle bag from Out of the Box NY – a great idea for the hard-to-shop-for men and boys in your house! For adventure seekers heading out on a wilderness trip in 2021, this ENO hammock is a must-have, as is this backpack rain cover for rainy days on the trail.

Get everyone off the couch with some fun indoor and outdoor games: pickle ball, spike ball, knee hockey, mini basketball, lacrosse mini sticks – and many of these can be packed to go to camp next summer! Sports enthusiasts will love these one-of-a-kind customized cleats and other sports items from Kicks by Carly.

If being stuck at home has your kids dreaming about camp, check out these s’mores kits that are great for getting the perfect golden roast. Crafters can hone their friendship bracelet skills and send gifts to camp friends around the world. Do your kids wish they could play gaga ball year-round? We found a fantastic source for building your own gaga pit at home.

Don we now our plague apparel…we are still in a pandemic, so check out these great finds: fabulous Chainz Boca mask chains and a deliciously scented, moisturizing hand sanitizer by LimeLife!

And finally, how about a gift for YOU? Raise a glass to the end of 2020 and gift yourself a bottle or two of our favorite clean wine, Avaline. Transparently produced, vegan-friendly and made with organic grapes.

We wish you a healthy, happy holiday season, in whatever form it takes! Bring on 2021!

Grieving for Summer

May 18, 2020 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

The camp and summer program cancellations are coming in fast these days, and we know there are many disappointed and grieving kids and families. Whether it was to be a child’s first summer away or they are a seasoned camper, it’s hard to let go of summer plans amid so many other changes in our lives. Here’s some advice we’ve gathered:

Expect that you and your children will go through a range of emotions in the days and weeks ahead. Tell your kids (and remind yourself) that grief comes and goes, and you might all have sad days throughout the summer and beyond. You can also let them know that you’ll all also have happy days and fun moments even while feeling sad about camp.
Recognize the stress that you may feel as a result of your child’s lack of summer plans. Take as many breaths as you need until you can find a way to move forward. There are still some options for kids. We can help you explore if any of the available programs are a good fit.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and memories about camp. Talking, journaling, Zooming, singing and dancing, doing camp arts and crafts, building a campfire, or whatever feels right, are all ways for kids to access their emotions. Kids of all ages can benefit from having their feelings named, so parents can help their kids by identifying what they may be experiencing.
It may be reassuring to talk about how staying home is helping all their dear camp friends and counselors remain safe.
Start making plans for summer 2021! Camp and program directors are already hard at work on next summer, and they are counting the minutes until they are back with your children.

We are right there with your family grieving the loss of all those future memories, experiences, and friendships. We are here to support you – please let us know if we can help.

Seeing our children for who they are

February 4, 2020 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

We all want what’s best for our children, but what is that? How’s a thoughtful parent to balance their concerns and priorities with their child’s individual needs? A recent New York Times article says what children need most is to feel seen and understood. The article says, “You just have to show up, allowing your kids to feel that you get them and that you’ll be there for them, no matter what.”

The process of selecting a sleepaway camp or an overnight summer program is a great way to show your child that you see them. Talking together about their interests, involving them in the selection, respecting their concerns, and appreciating their likes and dislikes are all ways of showing a child that you see them for who they are. Families can find exactly what they want and need when they work with a camp advisor. We are experts on the programming, facilities, and overall feeling of the summer experiences we represent, so if a child doesn’t play sports, then we will recommend camps where their interests are the main events. If they don’t want to stay in a tent, then we’ll suggest summer travel programs with indoor sleeping arrangements. If they don’t want to swim in a lake, we will recommend sleepaway camps with pools. If they want to improve their Spanish but aren’t interested in a homestay, then we’ll look at language immersion programs with other instruction methods. You can give your child the opportunity to grow through an independent summer experience, while at the same time seeing them for exactly who they are. Let us help you find just the right program.

Choosing the Best Summer Camp

January 14, 2020 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

Every season we hear from parents who want to know about the best overnight camps. And we often hear about the camps a neighbor/cousin/school friend attends. But after almost 50 years in business, Tips on Trips and Camps advisors understand that selecting a sleep away camp that will work well for a child is not just choosing from a list of the “best” camps. It’s all about finding the best camp for each child, and that’s where we are experts.

We spend a lot of time discussing the ins and outs of choosing a camp with our families. We talk about how factors that define each camp may affect whether it’s a good fit for the child. Considerations like single-sex or co-ed, size of the camp, the type of activities offered, and activities by choice or by bunk are just some of the topics we discuss with our clients. We help parents consider how a variety of factors may affect how well a camp fits a child’s needs. We ask about how children make friends, participate in activities, and whether they like to try new things to help us choose camps that play to a child’s strengths and also gives them the opportunity to build new skills. We also ask about the location, transportation, session length, and price. And then we put all of that together to create a list that fits the child and the family – that’s the best list!

Looking for Sleepaway Camp? Come to a Camp Fair

January 7, 2017 by Barb Leave a Comment

When we were growing up , families learned about sleepaway camps and teen summer camps by going to a camp fair and calling a camp advisor. While calling advisors like us has always been a mainstay of a camp search, camp fairs seemed to fall out of favor with the advent of the internet. To some Googling seemed to be a good substitute. But what goes around comes around, and camp fairs are once again gaining popularity. Why attend a fair? THREE top reasons:

One stop shopping. You get to browse through several kinds of camps in one place.
Human contact! You actually get to speak one on one with camps directors, and at our fairs, you get FREE personal advice from an experienced advisor.
Instant feedback. You can tell within minutes of initiating a conversation with a director whether it is a camp you want to learn more about.

In the age of social media, devices and lack of face to face communication, families have realized that a Tips on Trips and Camps Camp Fair is one of the best ways to start a camp search.

To find a fair near you click here: https://tipsontripsandcamps.com/summer-advice/local-camp-fairs/

How many weeks is right for my camper?

February 22, 2016 by Stephanie Vordick Leave a Comment

First-time sleepaway camper in the family? One of the first considerations is how many weeks will they attend. Here are a few things to think about as you explore camps:

Seven-week camps often offer shorter “rookie” sessions for first-time If you are open to a longer camp but concerned about how you or your camper may handle the first year, this is a great way to go. Camp directors try to pack as much as possible into their rookie weeks to give first timers a true taste of all camp has to offer (and leave them wanting more the next year).

If you want the option to extend to seven weeks in future years, but want to start with a single three or four-week session, then focus on camps with a mix of single session and full summer campers. Ideally, you want your child in a bunk with mostly other campers on the same session schedule to encourage bonding and minimize any sadness when it’s time to go home.

The camping industry has evolved to reflect how family life and kids’ extracurricular commitments have changed in recent years, and there are camps that specialize in giving a full camp experience in two or three weeks. You can focus your search on a program that fits your schedule, without sacrificing all the benefits of longer camp sessions.

Some homesickness is a normal part of the camp experience, and the longer your child has at camp, the better chance they have to get past any sadness and embrace all camp has to offer. One longtime camp director has seen countless campers settle in at the twenty-one-day point, which is when he feels kids really hit their stride. He also recommends reading Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow by Michael Thompson, D. to get a better understanding of how the ups and downs of a first camping experience contribute to a child’s sense of accomplishment.

If you never went to sleepaway camp, or you are worried about your child’s ability to be independent, then recognize that this process may be extra challenging for you. Knowing you found the right camp is the best way to minimize your concerns. Camp directors agree that listening to your parental intuition is the best guidance when choosing a camp and session length.

If you have chosen the right camp, then it ultimately doesn’t matter how many weeks your child attends. Your camper will return home excited about the fun, friendships, traditions, and activities, and ask you to sign them up for next year!

No matter your family’s schedule and budget, and your child’s interests and personality, there are great camp options. All of the Tips on Trips and Camps advisors can offer expert help on choosing the right camp for you and your child.

Washington DC area advisor Stephanie Vordick grew up in Bethesda, attended sleepaway camps in the Poconos and Maine, and went on high school summer travel programs. Now a mom of two teens, Stephanie loves introducing families to the amazing variety of camps and programs available today.

How Far is Too Far to Send Your Child to Camp?

February 8, 2016 by Carey 1 Comment

Parents often say to me, “I need a camp close in case I have to rush there if something is wrong.” As a parent, I totally understand how they feel; however, one of the main reasons to send a child off to camp is for them to learn to advocate for themselves. Children learn to solve problems on their own at sleep away camp, and they learn to ask for help from their fellow campers, counselors, and camp director. If you choose the camp with care and trust in the director to nurture your child, then you can begin to let go of your worries over the distance between you and your child. Supportive camp staff is what matters. Location and travel time may be factors in your choice, but should not rule the decision.

What do you hope for your child to gain at camp? Parents often cite exposure to the outdoors. How are the mountains and lakes near your house? Probably not great, right. There is something special about mountain air and sunsets by a beautiful lake with your camp friends. These settings make forever memories. Lifetime passions can develop when you learn to hike, sail, windsurf, kayak, or fish. While many camps near and far can offer your child outdoor experiences, don’t set limitations while you are exploring the options. You may have to go further from home to find the best camp for your child.

The journey to camp can be a fun part of the experience, and the trip to camp is when many kids feel their summer begins. Most likely the trip to camp will take a good part of the day whether it is by car, bus or plane. How nice to arrive at camp with a new friend, who was sitting next to you on the bus or plane. Campers also gain travel savvy that will stand them in good stead as they get older.

Keep an open mind about a camp’s location. Why not make the priority the quality of the environment, facilities, activities, and staff? The one day of travel to and from camp is such a small part of the whole experience. Choosing the right camp setting, philosophy, and culture is so much more important than the distance from home. Be willing to go far enough to find the camp that works best for your child. We also encourage parents to speak to the directors of any camps they are considering so that any specific needs or worries can be discussed during your selection process.

Camp Advisers Can Help Parents Find a Good Fit

February 4, 2016 by Lisa Leave a Comment

With more than 7,000 overnight camps in the United States, parents can feel intimidated about choosing the one that’s right for their child.

Fortunately, there exists an industry ready to help: camp advisers.

“I know people who just send their kids wherever their kids’ friends have gone without investigating other options,” said Stephanie Vordick, a mother of two and an interior designer in Rockville, Maryland. “For me, I had expectations for sleep-away camp that I wanted met.”

Vordick wanted a four-week session at a non-denominational camp on a lake. It needed to have sports but not be too competitive, and it had to be “a camp that had tons of awesome traditions, but was welcoming to new kids,” she said.

With the help of a camp adviser, she found the program in New Hampshire that her son, now 14, attended for four summers.

My decision to try an adviser came when my teenage daughter said she wanted something more specialized than the camp she had attended the past two summers.

I began with a half-hour phone interview with Lois Deckelbaum of Philadelphia, one of 16 advisers working for the Baltimore-based Tips on Trips and Camps.

The 45-year-old company represents about 350 overnight camps and 250 other programs. They make site visits to about 125 per year.

That expertise cost me nothing. The advisers are paid a commission by the camp if a child enrolls.

Deckelbaum asked about our budget, my daughter’s interests, her personality, previous camp experience, what geographical area we would consider, urban or rural setting, allergies and dates, among other things.

A few days later, she emailed me information on four camps — in Vermont, Connecticut, New York City and France — as well as an endorsement of a camp I’d asked about but which isn’t represented by her company. She knew it by reputation and suggested I keep it in the running.

One of the camps on her list sounded promising, and Deckelbaum gave me the director’s contact information and a lengthy list of questions to consider. (Both Tips on Trips and Camps, and another advisory service called Student Camp and Trip Advisors, Inc., that represents 250 camps, have suggested questions posted on their websites.)

As I gathered information, I gained a clearer picture of what type of program would work best for my daughter and asked Deckelbaum for some additional camps. She suggested two more, one in Maine and the other in Iceland.

Nearly 30 percent of the 3,000 overnight and day camps accredited by the American Camping Association have worked with camp advisers, according to a 2014 American Camping Association survey. The advisers allow camps to market to a wider audience, said ACA Chief Executive Tom Holland.

He recommends that parents using camp advisers review their credentials and background to make sure they are a good fit for the family.

Alternatively, the ACA offers a searchable camp database on its website, though only two of the 10 programs I had looked at for my daughter came up in the search.

Although the Internet has made it easier for parents to research a wide variety of camps, it can be even harder to choose from the abundance of options.

Parents will say, “I’ve looked at 25 different programs, how can I tell which is a good program and would suit my child’s needs?” said Eve Eifler, owner of Tips on Trips and Camps.

“Camps have a specific kind of culture and feeling and attitude and inclusiveness, and those are very hard things to glean from a website. Because we send kids to the camps and we know the directors, we can help,” Eifler said.

Diane Borodkin, owner of Student Camp and Trip Advisors, a 40-year-old company based in suburban Boston, recommends that parents try to visit the camp, and meet with the camp director in person.

That wasn’t possible with the camp we favored, but I spoke with the director by phone, exchanged emails, and got the names of some former campers and their parents to contact. Our decision has been made, the deposit sent off and my daughter can’t wait to attend. I can only hope she’s this happy in that first letter home.

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Online:

http://www.tipsontripsandcamps.com

Experts on Overnight Camps & Trips for Kids and Teens

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