Choose Your Own Summer Camp Adventure

Last updated October 18, 2012 의한 afscadmin

There is a new trend sneaking into summer camps. An increasing number of sleepaway camps are foregoing the traditional pre-determined summer camp schedule in favor of giving campers complete control over their summer camp experience. This approach to summer camp has become a particularly popular approach to the summer camp experience at session camps, which tend to attract a less traditional family of campers than seven week camps. And the appeal is mutual.

Allowing campers to customize their experience gives them the opportunity to experience a traditional summer camp while enjoying many of the same benefits that they might enjoy by attending a specialized camp. It’s truly a best of both worlds scenario, and the response has been overwhelming.

There is certainly no shortage of children who want to experience summer camp. The conflict seems to arise from increasingly busy summer schedules and the pressure placed on children to be great at—well—everything. Despite our inclination as adults to want them to be everything we are and more, along with everything we are not, children need time and space to be…children. Enter the session sleepaway camp, an environment catered to letting them be themselves while improving their skills in those activities they love while giving them ample opportunity to try out new ones in shorter, more realistic segments for the busy family.

In addition to having freedom over their activity choices, the independence children gain while at summer camp is also a great way of letting them try out their wings. For many children, camp is their first experience away from their parents. It’s the first time they’re choosing their own clothes, deciding what to eat, determining which activities to try, and learning how to be part of a social network without the assistance of mom and dad. For those children not quite ready for the full summer experience, a session camp is the perfect way to give camp a test drive.
So if you’ve hesitated to enroll your children in summer camp because you’re afraid it’s too much structure, or if you’ve been thinking you would like them to learn how to be a little bit more independent, consider a session summer camp. It just may be the perfect fit.

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Learning the Value of Tradition at Camp

Last updated October 12, 2012 의한 afscadmin

The holidays are around the corner. During that time of year, the word “tradition” gets thrown around a lot. But how many people actually understand what tradition is really? Perhaps it’s the emphasis on forward thinking and constantly in-motion global community that has caused many to confuse “tradition” with “routine.” They’ve both become something that we do on a regular basis in order to establish or maintain a consistency or pattern in our behavior. So what really distinguishes “tradition” from “routine”?

First, routine is something that one person does but might not necessarily have in common with others. Most people brush their teeth at some point in time in the morning. Few people do it at exactly the same time. Some shower first. Others eat breakfast. Eventually, everyone brushes their teeth but the experience is, for all intents and purposes, individual. There is no shared significance.

Tradition, on the other hand, is by definition community oriented. It’s a shared custom, belief, or activity with a common understanding of the reason for its practice. Many of us eat turkey at Thanksgiving because we symbolically associate it with that first meal between the pilgrims and native Americans. It’s a tradition.

Second, routine, unlike tradition, is not necessarily multi-generational or even long-term. It’s something done for a specified length of time. While we maintain some routines for all or much of our lives, others are short term. If one gets the flu, for instance, one might temporarily take up a routine of antibiotics. But once the flu subsides, so does that routine.

On the other hand, tradition is something that is a common bond between multiple generations. It’s an acknowledgment that an event or action was significant to someone tied to our past, and the observance of traditions our way of paying tribute to that event or action as well demonstrating our understanding of it.

Finally, routine is task oriented. We take up routine in order to accomplish a goal. There is an intended result in routine. Tradition, however, is an observance. Routine is a way of moving forward, whereas tradition pays tribute to the importance of the past.

By now, you’re surely asking yourself what any of this has to do with summer camp. Simply this: in a culture that places a significant amount of importance on the establishment of routine, the value of tradition is increasingly less understood and appreciated. Summer camps, however, are grounded in tradition. They’re a place where campers and staff members alike get refresher courses in the power of tradition. Whether it’s at a campfire, a sing along, or an activity specific to the camp, there are literally hundreds of opportunities every summer for those at a summer camp to bond through tradition. Many former summer campers and staff members actually name “tradition” as one of their highlights of summer camp. So if tradition has become an element of holidays past, consider giving your children a future opportunity to enjoy tradition at summer camp in 2013.

Camp: Memories for a Lifetime

Last updated October 9, 2012 의한 afscadmin

The guest blog this week comes from Camp Laurel and was originally posted on September 10, 2012 at http://www.camplaurel.com/blog/uncategorized/camp-memories-for-a-lifetime/.

Duffles are unpacked. School is once again in full swing. Summer and camp is far on the horizon.

But throughout the school year and for the rest of their lives campers will draw upon, and draw strength from, the positive experiences of the past summer.

Dr. Christopher Thurber describes some of the transformations we witness every summer at camp. A clinical psychologist, he notes that many children head to camp with “core fears.” These include being judged, looking “less than cool” and being alone.

Fearing judgment can come from many reasons: one’s background, body size or perceived lack of physical skills, for example.

At camp, the staff — and the environment they create — gives each camper a chance to
show off his or her special talents and skills in an emotionally safe place. There’s nothing like positive judgment to make a child’s summer.

The fear of not being successful can cause some campers to shy away from trying new activities. That’s why it’s so important for staff members to lead by example and try new things. We call it “modeling,” and we emphasize it over and over among our staff AND campers. Modeling behavior can sometimes make one look goofy but it sends the message that there’s nothing wrong with being silly, trying new things and taking safe risks.

Camp is a place where caring, committed, compassionate adults provide stability and warmth. It is this environment and community that gives children and teens the strength and confidence to say, “I am going to go for it. I can overcome this. I can do this.”

When campers return home each year, they talk about activities, friends and counselors. They remember fun and funny moments. They seldom verbalize the fears they’ve had, and how they’ve met them head on. But that is as much a part of any camp experience as swimming, cookouts and College Days or Spirit Days. And confronting these fears is what builds self-esteem, develops a greater sense of self, and allows our children to take safe risks and thrive far beyond the fishbowl of camp.

Camp: A Different Set of Expectations

Last updated October 5, 2012 의한 afscadmin

Okay, admit it. You’ve found yourself spending a considerable amount of time admiring that candle your daughter gave you on her camp’s Visiting Day or those wooden bookends your son brought home. Part of you wonders how come you never got to make stuff that cool when you were a kid while another part of you is mystified by how the arts and crafts staff of your child’s summer camp was able to draw out the Picasso in your little ones. After all, you can barely get them to focus long enough to make a poster for their science projects. What is it about camp that seems to facilitate children’s creativity?

Sure it’s woodsy and remote, even quaint–the perfect place for children to feel free to be themselves. They certainly do a lot of things at camp that they don’t get to do at home. And you did spend the entire summer looking at photos of your daughter posing in a rainbow colored tutu—Did she ever take that thing off?—and of your son covered in face paint knowing full well that neither of them would EVER dress like that at home. And was that your son dressed as a dog singing on stage? Singing? Him? Really? And last night he just told you, by the way, that he is trying out for the school play this year because the camp play was really fun. He would never ever—even if someone had double dog dared him—have auditioned for a play before camp. What changed? The Expectations.

There are a lot of reasons children find themselves exploring more creative avenues at summer camp, but one really big one is that the expectations are different. Children learn to respond to expectations. Moreover, they learn to respond to the expectations of individuals. They understand that their parents have expectations as do their teachers, siblings, friends, coaches, so on and so forth. Whether we’re comfortable admitting it or not, a lot of the expectations in that ten month world campers know as “winter” in some way promote conformity. Expectations placed on children at home, in school, etc. emphasize the importance of following rules and established guidelines. Of course, camp expectations do this, too, but the emphasis at camp is not to find one’s place in that larger whole by blending in but by standing out. Camp is a place in which children are encouraged to try new things in a quest to find their passion.

Sure you’re thinking of those photos of your daughter holding up her latest tie-dye creation for the camp photographer’s camera—those ones in which she was covered to her elbows in dye—and you’re thinking that’s you wouldn’t really classify tie-dye as a “passion.” Maybe not. But it could be the beginning of one, the spark that leads to an interest in art or the arts, or even just the memory of trying something new that turned out to be fun that lends courage to trying other new things. The expectations in the “world” of camp is that campers will explore it. Perhaps this is why it’s no surprise that many well known figures attended summer camp and attribute it to being the place where they found long-term direction. Sure, learning how to plunk out folk songs on a guitar is a long way from the philharmonic and being part of the chorus in the camp play is certainly not Broadway, but the idea is the same and, for many campers, it’s the start of building enough self confidence to stand out.

10 Signs Your Classmates or Co-Workers Who Worked at Summer Camp are Finally over Campsickness

Last updated September 28, 2012 의한 afscadmin

10.) They’ve stopped claiming to be late to class or work because they didn’t hear the morning wake up call.

9.) They no longer ask you at the beginning of every day if you know what the evening activity is.

8.) They’ve stopped randomly breaking into spontaneous cheers, songs, and dances in the cafeteria.

7.) Mismatched socks are no longer visible under their pant cuffs.

6.) They no longer refer to the beverages in the vending machine as “bug juice.”

5.) They’ve stopped wearing their hair in sloppy ponytails and have started wearing it as it’s intended to be styled again.

4.) The constant reminders of remembering to apply lots of sunscreen and to drink lots of water have stopped.

3.) They’ve stopped bringing beads and lanyard to school/work with them.

2.) Tutus are no longer a regular part of their wardrobes.

1.)“At camp” are not the first words of every sentence anymore…just every other sentence.

Preparing Children for a Global Life

Last updated September 20, 2012 의한 afscadmin

This week’s guest blog comes from Camp Weequahic:

The world is shrinking. It’s a line you hear over and over because it’s true. First, steamboats and railroads made it possible to ‘easily’ travel distances once thought unimaginable. Then airlines made it possible to get anywhere within 24 hours. Now, the internet and our smartphones allow us to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, instantly.

The benefits of this new found ability to connect immediately will be most fully realized by our young people who are interested in building connections and have some experience in doing so. A summer at camp could hardly be a better place to start.

Children and staff come to from all over the world. In fact, our community represents all but one of the continent. (Hopefully, we can find an intrepid penguin to help us round out all seven continents next summer!)

Our campers had the summer of their lives laughing, growing, and learning alongside children with whom they’d never connect and from staff they’d never meet unless at camp. Young people immersed in a wonderfully fun environment are more willing and interested in reaching out to others. In doing so, they begin to build the habits of independence, curiosity, and openness. These are the same skills necessary to be successful in the larger but shrinking world of adults.

If you want your child to learn to connect with others, you’d be hard pressed to find a safer, more inviting place than camp. Our diverse and professional staff help prepare our campers for the larger world in so many fun and exciting ways. Whether through arts, athletics, aquatics or adventure or simply sitting around the campfire, we’ve something for all to enjoy.

Come spend a summer at camp and learn to build those much needed real world connections!

*A version of this blog was previously posted to www.weequahic.com on September 13, 2012.

Looking Past the Post Camp Lull

Last updated September 13, 2012 의한 afscadmin

It’s here. The lull. The point at which the reality has set in that summer is over but next summer isn’t quite real enough. By now, most of us have shared our favorite memories of camp at least a half dozen times with anyone who will listen and we’ve actually started to settle into our fall habits, even if we do still catch ourselves humming camp songs in that off moment while riding in the car or doing homework. There is a peacefulness about this time of year, though, because it’s the point at which we really begin to grasp the past couple of months, reflect on them, and embrace the memories of them. Believe us! We’re not joking when we say that for those of us at camp, the summer passes with lightning speed. Blink more than once and miss it speed, in fact.

It’s hard to really take it all in in the moment. But one of the best things about camp is that it is something that can be savored. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “But the place which you have selected for your camp, though never so rough and grim, begins at once to have its attractions, and becomes a very centre of civilization to you.” And he was right. Camp is as much a mindset as it is a place. For the next ten months, things will regularly happen that will remind us of something that happened at camp. Whether it was a heart to heart with a counselor, a favorite activity, or even just the adventurous spirit that comes with discovering something new, each summer at camp is full of about a million opportunities to learn just a little bit more about life, some of them impossible to realize until well after the original moment has passed but each of them capable of taking campers and staff back to that “place.”

One of the Most Memorable Summer Camp Activities

Last updated August 8, 2012 의한 afscadmin

Most traditional summer camps are in the thick of one of the biggest parts of their summer program. In fact, the event itself is nearly as big of a tradition in and of itself as the concept of summer camp. It’s what everyone sees on movies or television shows about sleepaway camp and wants to be a part of—the color war. For several days, campers and staff members parade around camp in their team colors. Body paint, capes, mismatched socks, colored hair spray, pom-poms, and tutus are the en vogue accessories, and enthusiastic demonstrations of team pride via spirited cheers are infectious.

Although an emphasis on friendly competition geared toward giving campers an opportunity to put their camp skills to the test while exhibiting exemplary sportsmanship has prompted many camps to change the name to such things as Challenges, Tribals, College Days, and Olympics, the concept remains the same: Campers are placed onto teams and, for several days, engage in a host of activities designed to re-cap the summer—a sort of “best of” replay.

Whatever the name, the competition is often full of traditions regarded as sacred by campers and staff alike. The beginning of the games is invariably a surprise to campers and much of the staff with the reveal being is a closely guarded secret about which there is quite a bit of discussion and speculation in the days leading up to it. The breakout is unquestionably, one of the biggest events of the summer and always on everyone’s list of favorite moments from the summer. Counselors are included in the action as team leaders and coaches.

The end of the competition often involves some sort of bonding activity designed to bring the teams back together as one camp family to finish out the summer because, in the end, the emphasis of a color on color contest is not whether one is on a winning team when all is said and done, but that each and every camper has had the opportunity to demonstrate what he or she has learned over the summer and, thus, gain an understanding of how each person brings something different and valuable to the camp family. Such a focus makes these types of camp activities a valuable lesson in diversity and teamwork. Everyone has a unique role on the team that directly affects the team’s overall performance. For anyone—camper or staff—who has ever been a part of camps, it’s the part of the summer that is undoubtedly one of the most memorable.

Catching up with America’s Finest Summer Camps

Last updated July 26, 2012 의한 afscadmin

How about a guest blog? Rather than picking just one blog, we’ve decided to peek in on all of America’s Finest Summer Camps for a glimpse of what has been happening this summer…

Camp Laurel:

What a week!! Tuesday was the annual Big Show as Baxter, Sequoia, Bec and Bago joined forces to WOW us all with two fantastic showings of FAME the Musical. We were so proud of the incredibly talented cast and crew and can’t wait for THE JUNGLE BOOK in 10 days. Wednesday was an S-Day and we started the day with the Bec/Bago Laurel Idol Semi-Finals and a dodgeball tournament and spent the afternoon heading out all over the state. We had trips to Aquaboggan, Rummels, Old Port, and Funtown/Splashtown. Last night was Group Sing as each group in camp sang a popular song with the lyrics customized to a camp theme. If you surveyed our campers, most would tell you it’s one of their favorite night of camp!! And the weather this week has been Maine-Picture-Perfect!

*Originally published on www.camplaurel.com on 7/20/2012

Camp Laurel South:

We have been at camp for just a few days, but the action is already in full swing! Tennis, Skiing, Riding, Ceramics, baseball, Theatre, Lacrosse, Fishing and More!! After our annual Moosestomp Day, programming began and it’s been non-stop ever since.We had our first rotation of “A” and “B” Days, and we can’t wait for our first in camp “S” Day! Our 8th Graders are heading out to Acadia National Park for their camping experience. Our CIT’s are getting ready for their amazing White Water Rafting Trip…and Intercamps and Tournaments begin tomorrow. The weather has been absolutely fantastic…it’s always a beautiful day in the state of Maine! We are so happy to be on the shores of Crescent Lake!

*Originally posted to www.camplaurelsouth.com on 7/20/2012

Camp Weequahic:

The aspiring chefs of Camp Weequahic’s first session put together an amazing cookbook full of some super yummy recipes from our cooking studio. The link is below. Enjoy!

Weequahic Cookbook

*Originally posted to www.weequahic.com on 7/11/2012

MTV Night 2012 was a close competition with thirteen divisional winners battling it out for overall champion. From remixes to movie soundtracks, the music was about as varied as the costumes. Everyone fabulously demonstrated why they’d won their divisional titles with excellent lip syncing, dancing, and choreography. The judges had a really tough decision, but in the end Junior Girls bunk 6 edged out the Senior Boys of the Lodge to take the title with a number called Waka Waka. Congratulations to girls bunk 6 for their victory and to all of the competitors for putting together some extremely entertaining acts!

*Originally posted to www.campstarlight.com on 7/25/2012

No doubt about it…It has been a busy and exciting summer at all of the camps!

Beating the Heat and the Sun’s Rays

Last updated July 17, 2012 의한 afscadmin

It’s summer, which means it’s hot outside. Each summer, sleepaway camps field dozens of calls from parents regarding heat and sun care. Parents appreciate learning that America’s Finest Summer Camps take a great deal of care in helping campers and staff alike be sun-safe. Campers are encouraged to carry water bottles with them in order to stay properly hydrated. Some camps also keep water at strategic places throughout camp so that campers and staff can have convenient access.

Sunscreen is also key to beating the summer sun. In addition to making sunscreen available on campus, summer camps include sunscreen on packing lists. Doctors recommend a minimum SPF level of 15, although anyone with fair or sensitive skin should use a minimum level of SPF 30. Counselors and camp staff are charged with insuring that campers are regularly properly applying sunscreen.

Wearing sunglasses, hats, and light colored clothing are also recommended when children are outdoors, and, whenever possible, campers and staff members are encouraged to seek shaded areas. By taking some standard precautions, summer camps are helping campers beat the heat.