Summer Camp 101 - Big Y® World Class Market®

Each summer thousands of kids in the U.S. take part in what has become a childhood ritual for many — attending summer camp. It’s an experience that can be both fun and rewarding. Summer camps offer kids opportunities for adventure, a place to pursue their passion, or even a chance to refine a talent or skill. They also help foster independence in growing children and a host of other important traits, including self-esteem, confidence and responsibility.

Choosing the Right One

With more than 18,000 camps operating in the U.S. today, making the decision where to send your child can be dizzying. First consider the type of camp that would best suit your child. While there are many different types of camps, typically they fall into four categories:

•Overnight or resident camps, where stays can vary from a couple of days to several weeks.

• Day camps, which are similar to resident camps in terms of the experiences but children come home in the evening.

• Specialty camps, which can focus on anything from a specific sport to music, space, dancing, science, equestrian or art, just to name a few. Specialty camps can be either day-long programs or overnight camps that last several days to a couple of weeks.

• Special needs camps, which provide a camping experience for mentally or physically challenged children.

Second, consider some logistics. Do your children want to stay close to home, go a couple of hours away, or maybe even attend an out-of-state camp? Would they prefer a long or short session? A single-sex or a coed camp? And probably most important, ask your children what they want to do at camp or what they want to get out of the experience. Do they desire a traditional wilderness adventure where they can canoe, hike and roast marshmallows every night, or a specialty camp where they can perfect their slap shot or fine-tune their singing?

Readiness

So how are parents to know when their child is ready to go off to camp? According to some camping experts, children under 7 years old may have a more difficult time being away from home, so a day camp is a better option for younger kids. If your children are older and you’re considering an overnight or resident camp, think about how they have fared on sleepovers or being away from home and from you for a day or two. If they have done well, they probably will enjoy an overnight camp.

Another way to gauge your children’s readiness is to notice how they talk about camp. Are they excited about the prospect of attending? Are they generally curious about camp and asking a lot of questions, or are you trying to sell them on the idea? Even if they’re uncertain, talk to them about camp and what they would like to do there. This will help you determine if they are apprehensive just because it’s a new idea or if they really don’t have an interest in camping.

Quality Camps

All parents want to make sure they’re sending their child to a camp that is safe, clean and fun. Use other parents whose children have attended camp before as a resource of information. Also insist on a camp that is licensed by the state where it operates. Every state has different criteria, so be aware of that if your child is considering attending a camp out-of-state.

You may also want to look for a camp that is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is one of the country’s oldest established camping organization and has a rigorous accreditation process that exceeds most states’ licensing procedures. ACA-accredited camps have met up to 300 nationally recognized standards for safety, health, cleanliness, food service, program quality, staff training and emergency management procedures. To verify the accreditation status of any camp, parents can check either the ACA’s Web Site at www.acacamps.org or call 1-800-428-CAMP.

As parents, you best know your children and their needs, so above all make sure the camp meets your standards. It’s just as important to rely on your own instincts and impressions when choosing a camp for your son or daughter. To help get you started, we’ve included a list of some popular camps in Massachusetts and Connecticut for your consideration:

Source: American Camp Association

Day Camps

Arcadia Nature Day Camp

Easthampton, MA
413-584-3009 ext. 12
www.massaudubon.org

•Coed for 4 to 12 years of age

•Season: June to September

•Session Length: partial week, 1 and 2 weeks

•Fees: $150 to $430 per session

•Features: arts and crafts, canoeing, drawing/painting, hiking, nature/environmental studies

Broad Meadow Brook

Worcester, MA
508-753-6087
www.massaudubon.org

•Coed for 5 to 11 years of age

•Season: July to August

•Session Length: 1 and 2 weeks

•Fees: $85 to $435 per session

•Features: arts and crafts, exploring nature, games

Resident (Overnight) Camps

Camp Massasoit – Adventure Camp

Springfield, MA
413-750-5011
www.springfieldcollege.edu

•Coed for 12 to 15 years of age

•Season: June 28 - July 9

•Session Length: 2 weeks

•Fees: $500

•Features: backpacking, bicycling, exploring the outdoors, water rafting, rock climbing

Camp Emerson

Hinsdale, MA
413-655-8123
www.campemerson.com

•Coed for 8 to 15 years of age

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 4 weeks

•Fees: $2,475 to $4,600 per session

•Features: arts and crafts, fencing, model rocketry, performing arts, sailing, team field sports, swimming, tennis

Specialty Camps

Emagination Computer Camp

Waltham, MA
888-226-6733
www.computercamps.com

•Coed for 8 to 17 years of age

•Resident and Day Camp

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: Day and Resident - 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks

•Fees: Day - $1,200 to $5,080 per session; Resident - $2,065 to $7,400 per session

•Features: create computer game design, animations, Web design; build PCs, RC cars, robots; explore programming BASICs including C++, JAVA and virtual BASIC; participate in various other activities like arts and crafts, swimming, team field sports

Super Camp

Amherst, MA
800-285-3276
www.supercamp.com

•Coed for 15 to 18 years of age

•Season: July 10-19, July 22-31

•Session Length: 10 days

•Fees: $2,195

•Features: building academic skills through test-taking, organization, time-management and various learning styles.

Day Camps

High Meadow Day Camp

Granby, CT
860-653-9325
www.highmeadowdaycamp.com

•Coed for 4 to 13 years of age

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks

•Fees: $1,615 to $2,900

•Features: archery, arts and crafts, challenge/rope courses, music and dancing, horseback riding, swimming, tennis

Holiday Hill Day Camp

Mansfield Center, CT
860-423-1375
www.holidayrecreation.com

•Coed for 4 to 13 years of age

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 1 and 2 weeks

•Fees: $153 to $575

•Features: nature exploration, rock climbing, arts and crafts, various sports, canoeing, swimming

Resident (Overnight) Camps

Delaware Outdoor Adventure Camp

Winsted, CT
860-379-6517
www.delawareoac.com

•Coed for 8 to 16 years of age

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks

•Fees: $1,550 to $4,800

•Features: swimming, boating, drama, cooking, hiking, fishing, wood shop, newspaper production

Campus Kids – Connecticut

Middlebury, CT
203-794-0749
www.campuskids.com

•Coed for 7 to 15 years of age

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks

•Fees: $1,580 to $5,750

•Features: aquatic activities, archery, arts and crafts, golf, gymnastics, horseback riding, talent shows, music

Specialty Camps

Camp Horizons

South Windham, CT
860-456-1032
www.camphorizons.org

•Coed for 8 to 40 years of age who are mentally challenged

•Season: June to August

•Session Length: 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks

•Fees: $1,775 to $6,500

• Features: high quality residential, recreational, support and work programs for people who are developmentally disabled

Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp

New Milford, CT
860-354-5030
www.bucksrockcamp.com

•Coed for 12 to 16 years of age

•Overnight camp only

•Session Length: 4 and 8 weeks

•Fees: $5,240 to $7,660 per session

•Features: Specialty camp for performing and creative arts in more than 30 disciplines — everything from painting and sculptures to woodworking and metal shop.

While care has been taken to ensure accuracy of these listings, information is subject to change. Please call camps directly or visit the Web sites listed to verify information.

Handling Homesickness

For many children, summer camp brings the first taste of independence. And while this can be exciting, it can also make some kids anxious, even sad, about leaving or being away from home. Whether your child’s a first-timer or a veteran camper, homesickness can happen. Here are some tips on how to prepare your child for their camp experience and what to do if you get that inevitable “I want to come home” phone call.

•Involve your child in the camp selection process as much as possible and talk about the things he or she will do at camp. You and your child may even want to visit the camp before signing up.

•Plan practice separations throughout the year — have your child sleep over at a friend’s or grandparent’s house, for example.

•Have your child help pack for camp and make sure to include some familiar or favorite objects — a stuffed animal, a favorite pillow and family photos.

•Put some cheerful encouraging notes in their clothing for them to discover throughout their stay at camp.

•Don’t make a deal to pick up your child early if he or she gets homesick. Camp instructors say this sets kids up for failure and undermines them having a positive camp experience.

•Write and send a letter so it arrives at your child’s camp the first or second day. Also send your child a care package or write to your child regularly and make sure to keep it upbeat — don’t go on about how much you miss him or her.

• If your child makes a “rescue call,” offer him or her encouragement and help put his or her time away from home in perspective.

• About 7 percent of homesickness is severe and requires parents to pick up their children. If that happens, be encouraging and suggest that your child try a different camp next summer.

Cutout Cookies - Make It From Scratch	View Recipe
Cutout Cookies - Make It Simple	View Recipe
Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake - Make It From Scratch	View Recipe
Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake - Make It Simple	View Recipe
Spice Cake - Make It From Scratch	View Recipe
Spice Cake - Make It Simple	View Recipe