What to know before you go to overnight camp What to know before you go to overnight camp Ken Robbins // posted on Sunday, March 8, 2020 Camp is a powerful place for children, but making the decision to send your child to overnight camp for the first time can seem overwhelming. It’s important that your child (and you) are prepared. Here are some tips to make sure you’re both ready. Review policies and procedures. Make sure your child knows how things work at camp (phone calls, hand-held devices, lights-out times, etc.), so they are not surprised or confused once they arrive. Parent tip: Being... Read more
Managing mental health issues at summer camp Managing mental health issues at summer camp Kathy Kearns // posted on Sunday, March 8, 2020 When parents send a child to residential summer camp, they picture their child looking like the kids in the camp brochure — suntanned, laughing, with an arm wrapped around a new best friend. While this scenario could be true for many children, it’s not always the case for children who struggle with coping or self-care skills. Statistics show that one in four youths struggle with a mental health problem — varying from mild to severe — including anxiety and... Read more
Summer camp: the perfect place for kids to get ‘gritty’ Summer camp: the perfect place for kids to get ‘gritty’ MJ Parry // posted on Sunday, March 8, 2020 In recent years, the term “grit” has become a buzzword in youth development. It’s considered a highly desirable characteristic, one necessary for young people to truly excel at school, sports and in life. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines grit as “a firmness of mind or spirit, unyielding courage in the face of hardship.” Grit is shorthand for determination, bravery, resolve, and tenacity — it’s having the perseverance to keep working toward a... Read more
Camp fun + new social skills = an A+ summer Camp fun + new social skills = an A+ summer Emily Golinsky // posted on Sunday, March 8, 2020 As schools turn more attention to test preparation and meeting complex curriculum goals, teachers have limited time to work on character and social-skill development. Recess, social time and interactions that do not directly relate to curriculum standards take a back seat to reading, writing, math and STEM. This focus on academics means that parents should emphasize different goals for summer out-of-school time — from simply keeping kids engaged with backyard games or beach trips to... Read more
Connected through experience Connected through experience James Hart // posted on Monday, February 25, 2019 If you’re reading this, you’re most likely somewhere in the process of sending a child to camp. Maybe you went to camp and are thinking of sending your own kids. Maybe you didn’t, and the prospect is a bit scary. Perhaps you have a parent or grandparent lovingly nudging you toward a particular camp. No matter the reason, the question is, “how will my child benefit from going to camp?” The concrete benefit varies from family to family, but the potential for... Read more