Your Complete Totally Cool Camp Guide- SJ Magazine Feb. 2010

This article was featured in the February 2010 issue of SJ Magazine.

Your Complete, Totally Cool Camp Guide
It’s already February, so you know what that means – time to think summer!

By Rachel Yecco

Okay, it may be freezing outside, but really – it won’t be long before school’s out, the sun is burning and you’ve got kids complaining they’re bored. To keep your kids happy and occupied this summer, begin planning now. Area camps have started registering kids, and many offer discounts for early registration. So ignore the chill in the air and get ready to choose the perfect camp so your little (or big) camper has a totally cool, totally fun summer.

SJ parents have plenty to choose from when reviewing summer camps for their kids. Just know your child’s interests and start searching for that right fit. “There’s a summer camp out there for every child,” says Sean Phillips, executive program director of the YMCA of Burlington County.

The first-time camper
Parents may wonder how old a child should be to attend summer camp, but “there is no right age,” says Phillips. “It’s more about what’s right for the individual child.” Though most camps start accepting children around age 5, whether your child is ready for camp is your call. “If your child isn’t ready, don’t send them,” adds Phillips. “Wait until you know they are.”

But even if you are certain your child is ready for camp, she may still experience some apprehension. To ease any fears, visit an open house, suggests Phillips. “Open houses are not only helpful for parents, but they can prepare your child for camp. Children can meet the counselors and other children, and discover activities at the camp. Once they know who is going to help them, who they are going to play with, and what activities they will be doing, the mystery and all-around fright regarding summer camp usually goes away.”

The open house is also your chance to ask questions. In fact, Phillips suggests preparing a list of questions in advance, like: Can my child contact me while at camp? What happens if he is sick or injured? Can you accommodate my child’s food allergies? “These are important questions to ask, because your child is thinking about these things, too,” says Phillips.

Choosing the right camp
“My father forced me to go to a two-week, overnight camp when I was 12,”
says Andy Pritikin, owner/director of Liberty Lake Camp. “I didn’t want to go, but it turned out to be the best two weeks of my life.”

Pritikin now helps kids of all ages have the same positive experience he had. “Summer camp can be one of your child’s greatest childhood experiences,” he says. “There’s something we call camp magic, because campers feel a sense of community and spirit. There’s nothing like it.”

Today, many camps specialize their activities, and offer programs geared to your child’s particular interest, like sports or theater. Before selecting a camp for your child, have a good idea of what he loves to do, says Danielle Wiest, director of school-age childcare at the YMCA of Burlington County. “Ask your child lots of questions, including ‘What camp would you like to go to?’”

Once you have a good idea of what kind of camp you are looking for, do some research, Wiest says. Search online and talk to friends and neighbors for their advice on area camps.

The returning camper
“Parents always assume returning campers fall right into it,” says Wiest. “But there’s a lot of ‘ifs’ for them. They may be wondering if they will be with old friends and have the same counselor. A new summer brings a new camp scene, and it is important to prepare your child for possible changes.”

Wiest suggests making “new and different” a definite, not an option. “Prepare your child for the fact that things may be a little different,” she says. “Let them know they must try new activities this year.” Once your child experiences a change, she adds, he will be less intimidated when another new experience comes along.

Camp vs. babysitter 
In today’s economy, many parents are taking a closer look at the cost of camp, and considering if a summer at home is the better choice. Liberty Lake’s Pritikin says money spent on camp is an investment in your child.

“People who have sent their child to camp, understand the investment,” he says. “Keeping your child at home with a babysitter won’t help your child grow. In camp, your child is mentored by a trained counselor. We provide a culture where they learn to swim and play outdoors, and they experience a culture that promotes respect for others. They learn to make friends and interact with each other.”

Pritikin thinks parents are recognizing the benefit of children getting away from the television to have a camp experience. “I call it nature-deficit disorder,” he adds. “Most kids don’t play outside like they used to. I think there is a backlash against that. We’re seeing young adults in their 20s who have no appreciation for the outdoors. I think parents are realizing kids need to do more than play video games.”

Parents should look for summer activities that entertain and educate, says Pritikin. “We call it edutainment,” he says. “People pay to go to Disney World, and I say, ‘why?’ We may not have Mickey, but your kids won’t be waiting in line here, and they’re learning. In SJ, a lot of camps offer a great value. We get creative with packages, offering fewer weeks and discounts.

“Bottom line is: you want to find a camp that keeps your child happy and safe. But you also want your child to come home having grown.”

“I like the freedom, and the friends. You meet people who have the same interests as you, and you just click.” – Maureen, 14, Merchantville

“Everyone is welcome at camp. The counselors are always there to help. If you have a problem or you need something, you just ask them.”– Brett, 15, Moorestown

Camp Considerations
Be sure you know the answers to these questions before selecting a camp for your child.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?

What is the camp’s philosophy?

What is the camp director’s background?

How are behavioral problems handled?

What training do counselors receive?

What percentage of counselors returned from last year?

Can parents visit the camp?

Source: American Camp Association