Family Health Articles - Family & Pets
Selecting a Super CampPersonalizing your search will make your camper happy
By Leah Troiano
With more than 12,000 camps in the United States, one thing’s for sure: There’s one to fit every adolescent personality. However, weeding through all the information to find the perfect one can be overwhelming.
Let the needs, interests and expectations of your child guide you, says Beth Goldstein, a consultant with Camp Experts and Teen Summers, a free advisory service. “Avoid relying on a friend’s camp choice,” Goldstein urges. “Personalize the search.” Where to Begin? Hammer out a few details first. Talk to your soon-to-be camper about:
Location. Local camps are easier to evaluate, but a camp that’s farther away may provide more options, such as different terrain or climate or living within a different culture and learning a different language.
Length. Short sessions are less expensive; longer sessions, though a little pricier, offer more opportunities and more time for kids to develop specialized skills, such a full week devoted to the art horseback riding or sailing.
Type. Traditional camps offer a variety of activities. However, if your child is set on being a marine biologist, living on a boat will solidify his future aspirations—or nix them altogether.
Essentials. A rested child with a sound stomach is crucial for a positive experience, so pay attention to living arrangements and food options.
Next, consider your budget. The American Camp Association (ACA), a camp accreditation association, states that the average weekly cost of resident camp is $597, while the day camp norm is $303. About 90% of ACA-accredited sites offer some form of financial assistance, and Goldstein says she can recommend superb choices for almost any budget.
Rely on References. No matter which summer site you choose, talk with the camp’s director prior to signing your child up. Camps are not governmentally regulated, so supervision, safety and camp policies, such as when—and if—you are able to communicate with your camper, differ from one facility to the next. “Always request references,” says Jane Goldstone, director of Global Routes, an international community-service camp. Referrals allow potential campers and their parents to gain firsthand knowledge from past participants.
CAMP CONSULTANTS TO THE RESCUE
If you don’t have time to research or want an unbiased personal recommendation, ask a professional camp consultant for assistance. Beth Goldstein, of Camp Experts and Teen Summers, spends her free time visiting locations and interviewing directors so that you don’t have to.
The simple consultation will save you time and bring your child one step closer to an extraordinary summer experience. It can even help determine if your child is ready for overnight camp. Goldstein interviews parents and potential campers—either in person or over the phone—then offers recommendations based on her research, personal observations and camper/parent feedback. After the camp is chosen, she sets up interviews with camp directors and parents or asks camp personnel to send information and registration forms to the family. Goldstein says her service is a lifesaver for parents who start their search late or who want firsthand knowledge of a camp they aren’t able to visit themselves. The best part: the service is free.
If you’re interested in free camp advisory services, call:
Beth Goldstein
Camp Experts and Teen Summers
610-658-0744
www.campexperts.com.
Judy Macnow
Student Tour and Camp Consultants
800-609-2267
www.campandtour.com.
For online referral services, visit the American Camp Association at www.acacamps.org and click on “find a camp.” Or visit the National Camp Association at www.summercamp.org. Fill out a “CampQuest” form, and a professional camp advisor will evaluate it and suggest destinations for your child.
Astronauts Training • Rocketry • Robotics
High-performance-jet simulation, land and water survival, rocketry and robotics are just a sampling of what your aspiring astronaut will experience at U.S. Space Camp. Activities promote teamwork and self-confidence and use real-life applications of math and science. Kids eat space food and sleep like astronauts in a space simulator. This out of this world camp also accommodates all food allergies and offers kosher and organic food choices when prompted. Location: Huntsville, AL.
Contact: 800-637-7223, www.spacecamp.com.
Endangered Species • Scuba Diving • Sailing
Bet your beach bum wouldn’t mind protecting imperiled ocean life in the clear waters of the Caribbean. Sail Caribbean’s Foxtrot Environmental Service Project navigates the British Virgin Islands and teaches campers to tag and measure endangered turtles or monitor the health of a coral reef while scuba or skin diving. When the work is done the play begins, with water-skiing, wakeboarding and sailing. This camp provides campers with a food manager who will accommodate everything from peanut allergies to religious dietary needs. Location: Northport, NY, or Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Contact: 800-321-0994, www.sailcaribbean.com.
Culinary Arts • Food Prep • Good Eats
Need an extra hand in the kitchen? The Culinary Institute at Pali Adventures teaches future chefs the art of food preparation. For three hours a day, campers prepare—and eat—salads, sauces, appetizers, breakfasts and so much more. If your budding Nigella Lawson or Emeril Lagasse isn’t totally committed to slaving over a hot stove all day, Pali Adventures also offers more than 50 electives that reflect a traditional camp experience. The camp offers vegetarian and vegan options and foods for kids with allergies are kept in separate refrigerators. Location: Running Springs, CA.
Contact: 888-678-6637, www.paliadventures.com.
Community Service • Native Arts
Deer Hill Expeditions cultivates an appreciation of the natural world while teaching wilderness skills and promoting stewardship of the earth. Kids participate in community-service projects, such as mending a footbridge in the backcountry of Costa Rica. Native arts come alive in the Southwest region of the United States when campers witness the ceremonial and healing traditions behind Navajo sand painting and then make their own painting. Deer Hill Expeditions offers food choices for little wilderness explorer with allergy needs, as well as vegetarian diets. Location: Mancos, CO.
Contact: 800-533-7221, www.deerhillexpeditions.com.
Dolphins • Giraffes • Sleep in Seaworld
If your children liked visiting SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, they’ll love the Adventure Camp, which provides hands-on care and feeding of the animals. Interact with and monitor wildlife, from belugas to giraffes, during the day, and then sleep in the park at night. The camp has a culinary department, which will provide children with organic food, healthier food selections and safe options for food allergies. Locations: Tampa Bay, FL, Orlando, FL, San Antonio, TX and San Diego, CA.
Contact: 866-4SW-CAMP, www.swbg-adventurecamps.com.
Physical and Social Activities
The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp is a traditional camp for kids who have survived burn injuries. Physical and social activities boost their self-confidence, enhance their physical skills and help them move look beyond their injuries. This loving and nurturing camp is offered free of charge. This destination supplies the campers with food accommodations for religious dietary restrictions and strives to answer all food requests, such as demands for organic and all natural foods. Location: Milford, CT.
Contact: 888-40-BURNS, www.ctburnsfoundation.org.
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