summer camp - Tips on Trips and Camps

Camp Sickness is Real!

August 16, 2024 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

I pick my girls up from camp tomorrow! I am so excited to hear their stories, see the array of friendship bracelets that will stay on their wrists for much of this coming school year, and listen to them sing camp songs all along the drive home. They will have the glow that only comes from being outside for many weeks, and they will be well-rested from a routine that includes lots of activity and good sleep in the absence of cell phones and screens.

However, I also know that re-entry is tough! While they are so excited to sleep in their own beds, our house is really quiet compared to a cabin full of their peers. And though a home-cooked meal (or if we’re being honest, anything from Chipotle!) will taste so good, nothing compares to a raucous dining hall filled with song.

Camp sickness is a real thing, and it can be hard on campers and parents alike. The intensity of the camp experience can’t be underestimated. Kids are surrounded by friends from the moment they get up to the second they close their eyes at night, and all the hours in between are filled with activity, independence, and so many opportunities for growth and development. Coming home can be a let-down, and emotions often run high. Campers are excited to be home but deeply miss the routine and rhythm of camp.

Give them some grace and patience – within a few days, they will resemble the child you dropped off only weeks earlier, and hopefully with some of the added benefits that only an overnight summer experience can offer: resilience, confidence, new skills, and lifelong friendships.

Tips on Trips and Camps advisors love to talk about the benefits of summer camp, trips, and amazing academic experiences. We can help you find the right program for your child – our advice is free, and the experiences last forever.

Countdown to Camp

May 30, 2024 by Jen Cippoletti Leave a Comment

My 14-year old loves creating “countdowns” on her phone: the countdown to spring break, her birthday, the release of the new Taylor Swift album, etc. But the longest countdown by far, the one she begins months and months ahead of time, is her countdown to sleepaway camp. Though the countdown technically starts the day she comes home from camp each summer, it really begins in earnest on New Year’s Day. At that point, there are nearly 200 days until the start of camp, and cold days with little light don’t feel much like a beautiful summer day on the lake. But weekly check-ins with camp friends, mementos from last summer on her bulletin board, and the friendship bracelets that are still on her wrist remind her that camp is never really that far away.

With the calendar turning to June, the countdown starts for me too, and soon it will be time to dig the camp trunk out of the attic, make sure she has a t-shirt in every color for team days and special events, and plan a trip for me and my husband while our house is quiet. But the countdown is not just about the logistics of packing and planning – it’s really about waiting for the days that are some of the happiest of her entire year; camp days filled with friendship, laughter, songs, and being in nature.

As of this writing, there are now less than 50 days to go…can’t wait!

Can we help you with a countdown to summer camp, a trip, or an amazing academic experience? Tips on Trips and Camps can help you find the right program for your child – ask us how!

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!

Does your child want something different this summer?

March 19, 2024 by Eve Leave a Comment

Many parents are still faced with planning for their child’s summer. If you are one of those parents, you need to know the start of summer camp season is about 100 days away. If your child is reluctant to consider an overnight summer program, here are some new and different ideas to tempt them.

While traditional camps never go out of style, for the students who want something different…

Your child who loves:

STEM could go to camp and focus on building and launching rockets, study planets and learn about our night sky and mythology, or construct a huge structure in the ultimate maker lab.
ARTS could learn to blow glass, make candles and jewelry, or be in a musical or drama performance.
LITERATURE could go to a camp on a college campus in the U.S. or abroad and focus on all things related to philosophy, great books, and big ideas.
MEDICINE and PUBLIC HEALTH could learn firsthand if this is a career they want to pursue with hands-on experience in clinics and community health centers.
COOKING could go to Italy to focus on the Farm to Table movement and learn to make cheese and olive oil with other food lovers.
SPORTS could go to a short-session camp on a boarding school campus to improve skills in a specific sport or learn a new one.

100 days will go quickly. Now is the time to plan for summer 2024!

TIPS FOR PARENTS WHILE SUMMER CAMP IS IN SESSION

July 11, 2023 by Eve Leave a Comment

Try not to worry. Counselors and camp directors are trained to deal with the reactions of campers, particularly those first time campers.

Write to your child often. They will enjoy hearing their name called out when the mail arrives. Check on the camp policy regarding sending spending money and care packages. If permitted, these can be a real treat.

Don’t send so much detail about life at home that it could make your child feel they’re missing out on something. Avoid telling them how much you, their siblings or pets miss them.

Don’t overreact to first reports of homesickness. Almost all campers experience it at some point but it almost always passes in one to two days. By the time a heart wrenching letter arrives in the mail, chances are your son or daughter is a happy camper enjoying time with his or her new found friends.

If you receive an unhappy letter from your child or a letter that makes you uncomfortable about some aspect of camp, call the camp director to discuss it.

Do NOT offer to pick up your child if he or she is not having a good time. Avoid statements such as “If you don’t like camp, you can come home”. The goal should be to minimize feelings of homesickness so they don’t interfere with enjoyment of camp.

Enjoy your time while your child is at summer camp. Give yourself a treat. It may give you time alone with one of your other children, time you don’t usually have to devote solely to them. If you’re left at home with no children, enjoy time to yourself and with your spouse, significant other and/or friends. Make this time a special experience for you in addition to the one you’re giving your child. Happy camping!

Tips for a Successful Camp Experience

May 17, 2023 by Helene Leave a Comment

Summer camp is right around the corner. Here are some tips to help you and your child prepare.

Be confident in your decision to send your child to sleepaway camp! You chose the camp carefully and believe your child is ready.

If you are anxious about sending your child off to camp, discuss it with your spouse or friends. Work hard not to convey these feelings to your child. Sensing that you are concerned will only worry your child.

Avoid statements like “I’m going to miss you terribly”. While it may be your attempt to reassure your child, you don’t want him or her to feel guilty about leaving you.

Let your child know you are confident they will adjust well to camp life. Refer to positive experiences when they’ve been away from home previously. It’s okay to let your child know that he or she might experience some homesickness and that it is normal and natural.

If you attended camp yourself, heighten your child’s interest in camp by pointing out some of the exciting things you remember about your experiences. Be sure to be positive about how you were able to handle being away from your parents.

If your child is still attached to their “blankie” or a certain stuffed animal but may be at the age that they’re hesitant to take it with them to camp, pack it in the zipper of their pillowcase. That way, they can have the security of having it with them without “going public”.

Tuck a cute card in your child’s duffle before they leave, so when they unpack, it will be a nice surprise. Also, send a letter before camp begins so that it will arrive shortly after they get to camp. Let your child choose fun camp stationery and help them pre-address and stamp the envelopes.

You are giving your child the wonderful gift of camp. Be positive and excited for them.

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.

Questions to Consider for Summer Programs

January 12, 2023 by Gayle Shifrin Leave a Comment

Considering sending your child to an overnight program for the first time? When is the right time? Where should my child go? Should they go with a friend? For how long should they attend?

There are so many questions about when and where you send your child for an overnight summer program that the process can be overwhelming. Whether you are considering an overnight camp or a travel program, there are so many choices. There are endless locations, types of programs, and lengths of stays. How would a parent navigate all there is to consider?

Here are some things to think about:

When is the right time? This depends on your individual child. Many children start as early as seven, itching to experience overnight camp as soon as the camp will take them. Other children may need a later start, beginning at 12 or 13. There is not one answer here, as the readiness of each child varies.
What kind of camp? A specialized program that focuses on a particular activity like theater or sports, or an all-round traditional camp? Talk to your child about their interests.
Should they attend camp with a friend? Your child might feel they will be more comfortable being away from home if they go with their friend. On the other hand, getting out of that comfort zone may be exactly what your child needs. Summer experiences can allow for cultivation of new friendships.
How long should they attend camp? There is always a transition period, no matter how ready your child is to leave home for the first time. It is important to allow your child enough time to adjust to their new surroundings, cultivate new friendships, and find their groove in a new place. Sometimes 2-week rookie sessions are a bit short, because just when your child is starting to get comfortable with their new environment it is time to pack up and leave. Of course, a 2-week session is also convenient for families wanting to travel over the summer.

Tips on Trips and Camps advisors are ready and waiting to guide you through the process. Call us and get started!

Let’s Make S’More Memories

December 3, 2022 by Jill Leave a Comment

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to start thinking about summer!

Finding a camp or teen program would make a great Christmas or Chanukah gift. Programs are filling up very fast for next summer – and already some have waitlists. If you’re thinking of camp or teen program as a possibility, this is the time to take action. For many programs, if you’re not sure, you may be able to put down a deposit and have the assurance that you can get that deposit back by a specified date. It’s best to secure your place as soon as possible.

Now is the time to focus on finding the right camp or teen program for your child.

We can provide detailed information that cannot be found on the Internet and guide you through the selection process.

To make it really easy, Tips on Trips and Camps is conducting a series of Zoom “fairs,” each focusing on a different type of teen program. Contact us to get information about these “fairs” or speak with an advisor closest to you who can provide you with a list of wonderful opportunities for your teen or camp-aged child. More information on the fairs can be found here: https://www.tipsontripsandcamps.com/blog/teen-summer-program-zoom-series-22-23/

For camp-related gift ideas, go to: https://www.etsy.com/market/summer_camp_gifts

Thoughts of a Wilderness Trip 28 Years Later

May 12, 2022 by Helene Leave a Comment

A friend of mine knew I was an advisor for Tips on Trips and Camps and came to a camp fair I sponsored a few years ago to see the directors of the wilderness camp she attended 28 years ago. She feels that experience impacted who she is today, and she shared her thoughts with me.

She writes, “Attending your camp fair and seeing Doug and Bev was just such a special connection after all of these years. It was as if I was visiting my past life, in the very best sense. It was like visiting me when I was 14 and insecure about stupid things but, after that special summer, I learned that I could literally climb mountains. And today, grown and the mother of 3, that experience connects me to my younger self and also to my father who has since passed away. His love of summer camp was passed on to me and I mentioned it in his eulogy. I talked about his countless summers in Maine. He loved camp, he loved camping and he loved Maine. He loved talking about taking the train to camp when he was 6 and how the campers always had to give the counselors the cream off the top of the milk. They bathed in the lake and went hiking. One year, he even led the hiking trips. It’s from my dad that I got my love of the outdoors and adventure that led me to an amazing teen wilderness trip. When my kids are older I hope they too will attend a wilderness experience. It changed me and I think will do the same for every teen.”

I could not have said it better.

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