Do many more kids go to overnight camps these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What an interesting thread! I am not an American but went to camp for 3 weeks every year in Europe. My oldest now is in camp in my home country (first time ever overnight camp). I always loved camps and went as a kid and later as teenager councellor. THe difference is back home the camps are REALLY affordable. Compared to average pay, anyone can afford it and so kids go (as I did) from 1st, 2nd grade.

I want to ask about here in the US - the process of selecting the camp. It seems from the replies that you TOUR the camp first? That must be expensive!! And you call and talk to the director a year ahead? Can you please explain the process to me - at home, you sign them up in APril, May of the year, there is no touring etc, it simply is not done, kids just go.

And, when the camp is say in NH or VT, do you drive them up or they fly on their own and the camp people pick them up at airport? You fly with them?

I want to send my two older ones next year so some awesome camp and would welcome any feedback on the process. Thank you! My US DH never went to camp so this will need to be my effort...

We toured a few camps in the same area the summer before my son went to camp. We made it into a vacation and saw the sights too. We drive him to camp every summer and pick him up but I know the int'l campers and some who live far away must fly. There are camp people there to pick them up, etc. I think they have to have their trunk shipped before they fly though. The camps in the south seem to be a bit cheaper than the ones in the NE.

[Anonymous]

No kid I know has gone to overnight camp.

[Anonymous]

But to be clear, I don't send the older kids to camp to get rid of them. Rather, I do not have the means to teach archery or sailing in my yard. Nor am I a team of 8 boys working on team-buiding exercises. Horses and powerboats? Nope. Don't have those either. There are precious few opportunities for boys to be boys in their day-to-day life and they cherish their time at camp for that. In fact, they beg me for more weeks of camp than they already do have.

This is me too. My kids love it and they get experiences I can not provide at home. I miss them when they are gone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What an interesting thread! I am not an American but went to camp for 3 weeks every year in Europe. My oldest now is in camp in my home country (first time ever overnight camp). I always loved camps and went as a kid and later as teenager councellor. THe difference is back home the camps are REALLY affordable. Compared to average pay, anyone can afford it and so kids go (as I did) from 1st, 2nd grade.

I want to ask about here in the US - the process of selecting the camp. It seems from the replies that you TOUR the camp first? That must be expensive!! And you call and talk to the director a year ahead? Can you please explain the process to me - at home, you sign them up in APril, May of the year, there is no touring etc, it simply is not done, kids just go.

And, when the camp is say in NH or VT, do you drive them up or they fly on their own and the camp people pick them up at airport? You fly with them?

I want to send my two older ones next year so some awesome camp and would welcome any feedback on the process. Thank you! My US DH never went to camp so this will need to be my effort...

Typically, if the camp is in NH, VT or Maine, most of the kids will fly. For Maine, it is into Portland, for NH and VT it depends on the location. The camp will usually tell you which flight to book from DC and all the kids fly together. There is usually escorts on the fligths and then they will have a bus waiting to take the kids to camp. Soem camps will have buses that leave from the area that drive the kids to camp. Trunks are sent about 3-4 weesk ahead to be there in time for the kids arrival.

You can drive your child but they do miss out on the comraderie of being with the group that is flying or takign the bus together. The first session;s of camps in these areas starts aroudn the end of June. NY and NJ get out of school later so the camps usually start after those schools end.

Southern camps will start earlier as they get more kids from MD/NC and Fla where schools end earlier.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that people feel the need to make global statements about things?

Camps are bad and parents who send kids there are neglectful. Camps are good and parents who don't allow kids this opportunity are clingy and out of touch?

Could it be that overnight camp is right for some children and their families and not for others? Anyway, who cares. Do what is right for you and shut it already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What an interesting thread! I am not an American but went to camp for 3 weeks every year in Europe. My oldest now is in camp in my home country (first time ever overnight camp). I always loved camps and went as a kid and later as teenager councellor. THe difference is back home the camps are REALLY affordable. Compared to average pay, anyone can afford it and so kids go (as I did) from 1st, 2nd grade.

I want to ask about here in the US - the process of selecting the camp. It seems from the replies that you TOUR the camp first? That must be expensive!! And you call and talk to the director a year ahead? Can you please explain the process to me - at home, you sign them up in APril, May of the year, there is no touring etc, it simply is not done, kids just go.

And, when the camp is say in NH or VT, do you drive them up or they fly on their own and the camp people pick them up at airport? You fly with them?

I want to send my two older ones next year so some awesome camp and would welcome any feedback on the process. Thank you! My US DH never went to camp so this will need to be my effort...

Selecting a camp is a big deal. For many kids this becomes their summer home and their summer friends. So you want to make the most informed decision that you can. You don't HAVE to tour the camp, but if you can, it's a great idea. It gives the kids a sense of where they'll be spending the summer and when they get there the first day, it's not completely unfamiliar. But most camps today have videos and you can "tour" online. Directors are really good about calming the fears of parents and campers and will often allow you to have Skype meetings with them so again, you and your child can meet the admin staff and there is a familiar face at camp. The other thing that you can do is go to one of the information sessions. They may not have one in DC, but there maybe one in NYC and you would just drive up there to meet the admin staff and get questions answered. Often there are current campers floating around and your child would have a chance to talk to those kids directly.

My child is considering a camp in ME for next summer. It's a 10 hr drive assuming no traffic on 95. She would probably fly. The camp counselors will meet her at the gate since she would be traveling as an unaccompanied minor. Again, you can ask for a Skype session with the person that will be meeting your child. You could also fly with them, rent a car, and drop off at camp. There are some additional costs to think about when camp starts to involve airplanes.

First, you need to ship the luggage. My kids soft trunks are 55x20x20. That is oversized for the airplane and going to be a PIA to get out of baggage claim. She has 2 of these trunks...one for linens, towels, blankets, etc and one for clothes. If your camp provides linen and towel service, you could eliminate a trunk. Shipping for each trunk each way is roughly $80-100. So you need to add on $320-$400 to the cost of camp.

Second, you are buying a plane ticket. Let's say that's $400 R/T. Camps never seem to be located near a major hub. My camp involves a small airport that has service 2x/day. Then either you are buying a 2nd ticket for you and getting a rental car or your child is flying as an unaccompanied minor. On US Air, the unaccompanied minor fee is $150 each way.

Third--if you've spent all of this extra money to get your kid to camp, chances are your kid is a full season camper. What are you going to do about visiting day? Remember, it's a long drive and an especially long drive for just a day since visiting day is usually 6-8 hours. 2 R/T plane tickets for mom and dad, hotel, food, and car rental. Easily $1000 weekend. This assumes you don't have any other children that come along and also need a plane ticket. Of course, visiting day is not mandatory and the international kids probably don't have mom and dad visit, but when 90% of the camp goes off with their parents for the day, why would you want your child to feel left out if they didn't have to. For the kids that do stay in camp, most camps offer a field trip to a great place with the counselors for the day.

In my mind, I have added an additional $2000 to the cost of the camp. When I weigh why she would attend this camp over one that it is driveable, the additional money is a factor. The driveable one offers free bus service from my area and takes the luggage on a separate truck at no additional cost. On any given day, I vote for the other camp. The one in ME offers amazing activities on a huge lake far away from the DC heat and humidity. The driveable camp is a good camp, well know and respected, but just doesn't have the "Wow" of the ME camp. Is the "Wow" factor worth $2000 more----I go back and forth.

You mentioned waiting until April in your home country. If you wait until April here you may very well lose out. The driveable camp I am looking at is already 1/2 full for summer 2015. They just had visiting day and parents signed up their kids to return next summer. Also, if you register early usually before Oct 31, camps offer you an early bird discount. If you want to tour the camp, now is the time. Camp is in session and you will get a sense of how daily life runs.

You should talk to your kids about what they want in a camp--sports focus, science focus, all around general camp, good waterfront, horses, hiking--what are the activities that are going to make them happy. Then start researching the camps that have those activities. Talk to your friends--where do they send their kids? Where do their friends send their kids? Balance the activities that your kids want with what you can afford and come up with a short list. Then start calling. Find out if summer tours are available, will they be coming for an information session in the area, are there currently any kids from the area in camp that you could speak directly with their parents.

good luck with the process.

[Anonymous]

I replied previously about touring camps. I would definitely recommend doing this the summer before. The camp I thought we would like turned out not to be one we liked. Also, every camp we visited (this was in NC) began registration in mid August for the following summer. Some of the camps sold out the more popular sessions the first day! So I would recommend touring the camps and making sure you understand their registration procedures b/c returning campers and siblings get priority.

[Anonymous]

WOW. Thank you so much for such an informative reply! This is extremely helpful (and expensive for the NE camps thought I can imagine how it is just a wonderful setting there). I wish we lived in VT, the camps would be around the corner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No kid I know has gone to overnight camp.

pp

Same with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What an interesting thread! I am not an American but went to camp for 3 weeks every year in Europe. My oldest now is in camp in my home country (first time ever overnight camp). I always loved camps and went as a kid and later as teenager councellor. THe difference is back home the camps are REALLY affordable. Compared to average pay, anyone can afford it and so kids go (as I did) from 1st, 2nd grade.

I want to ask about here in the US - the process of selecting the camp. It seems from the replies that you TOUR the camp first? That must be expensive!! And you call and talk to the director a year ahead? Can you please explain the process to me - at home, you sign them up in APril, May of the year, there is no touring etc, it simply is not done, kids just go.

And, when the camp is say in NH or VT, do you drive them up or they fly on their own and the camp people pick them up at airport? You fly with them?

I want to send my two older ones next year so some awesome camp and would welcome any feedback on the process. Thank you! My US DH never went to camp so this will need to be my effort...

Selecting a camp is a big deal. For many kids this becomes their summer home and their summer friends. So you want to make the most informed decision that you can. You don't HAVE to tour the camp, but if you can, it's a great idea. It gives the kids a sense of where they'll be spending the summer and when they get there the first day, it's not completely unfamiliar. But most camps today have videos and you can "tour" online. Directors are really good about calming the fears of parents and campers and will often allow you to have Skype meetings with them so again, you and your child can meet the admin staff and there is a familiar face at camp. The other thing that you can do is go to one of the information sessions. They may not have one in DC, but there maybe one in NYC and you would just drive up there to meet the admin staff and get questions answered. Often there are current campers floating around and your child would have a chance to talk to those kids directly.

My child is considering a camp in ME for next summer. It's a 10 hr drive assuming no traffic on 95. She would probably fly. The camp counselors will meet her at the gate since she would be traveling as an unaccompanied minor. Again, you can ask for a Skype session with the person that will be meeting your child. You could also fly with them, rent a car, and drop off at camp. There are some additional costs to think about when camp starts to involve airplanes.

First, you need to ship the luggage. My kids soft trunks are 55x20x20. That is oversized for the airplane and going to be a PIA to get out of baggage claim. She has 2 of these trunks...one for linens, towels, blankets, etc and one for clothes. If your camp provides linen and towel service, you could eliminate a trunk. Shipping for each trunk each way is roughly $80-100. So you need to add on $320-$400 to the cost of camp.

Second, you are buying a plane ticket. Let's say that's $400 R/T. Camps never seem to be located near a major hub. My camp involves a small airport that has service 2x/day. Then either you are buying a 2nd ticket for you and getting a rental car or your child is flying as an unaccompanied minor. On US Air, the unaccompanied minor fee is $150 each way.

Third--if you've spent all of this extra money to get your kid to camp, chances are your kid is a full season camper. What are you going to do about visiting day? Remember, it's a long drive and an especially long drive for just a day since visiting day is usually 6-8 hours. 2 R/T plane tickets for mom and dad, hotel, food, and car rental. Easily $1000 weekend. This assumes you don't have any other children that come along and also need a plane ticket. Of course, visiting day is not mandatory and the international kids probably don't have mom and dad visit, but when 90% of the camp goes off with their parents for the day, why would you want your child to feel left out if they didn't have to. For the kids that do stay in camp, most camps offer a field trip to a great place with the counselors for the day.

In my mind, I have added an additional $2000 to the cost of the camp. When I weigh why she would attend this camp over one that it is driveable, the additional money is a factor. The driveable one offers free bus service from my area and takes the luggage on a separate truck at no additional cost. On any given day, I vote for the other camp. The one in ME offers amazing activities on a huge lake far away from the DC heat and humidity. The driveable camp is a good camp, well know and respected, but just doesn't have the "Wow" of the ME camp. Is the "Wow" factor worth $2000 more----I go back and forth.

You mentioned waiting until April in your home country. If you wait until April here you may very well lose out. The driveable camp I am looking at is already 1/2 full for summer 2015. They just had visiting day and parents signed up their kids to return next summer. Also, if you register early usually before Oct 31, camps offer you an early bird discount. If you want to tour the camp, now is the time. Camp is in session and you will get a sense of how daily life runs.

You should talk to your kids about what they want in a camp--sports focus, science focus, all around general camp, good waterfront, horses, hiking--what are the activities that are going to make them happy. Then start researching the camps that have those activities. Talk to your friends--where do they send their kids? Where do their friends send their kids? Balance the activities that your kids want with what you can afford and come up with a short list. Then start calling. Find out if summer tours are available, will they be coming for an information session in the area, are there currently any kids from the area in camp that you could speak directly with their parents.

good luck with the process.

For many kids it becomes their summer home?

Wow - I would be embarrassed to say that.

[Anonymous]

Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

[Anonymous]

Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

Not that poster, but he/she probably feels that a kid who considers camp their "second summer home" is spending too much time away from home and family and is therefore not closely bonded to or cared for by the parents. That has been a thought expressed by numerous posts in this thread. If I held this viewpoint regarding camp, I would be embarrassed to have a kid who felt this way because, consistent with the hypothetical viewpoint expressed above, it would mean that I had not been a good parent to my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

Not that poster, but he/she probably feels that a kid who considers camp their "second summer home" is spending too much time away from home and family and is therefore not closely bonded to or cared for by the parents. That has been a thought expressed by numerous posts in this thread. If I held this viewpoint regarding camp, I would be embarrassed to have a kid who felt this way because, consistent with the hypothetical viewpoint expressed above, it would mean that I had not been a good parent to my child.

Please. Kids can have great parents who feel a connection to other places that mean something to them. Kids feel a special connection to camp because they can be themselves, explore new things and gain a sense of independance and confidence. It is 7 weeks. Parents have them for 45 weeks.

There is nothing embarrasing about it at all. No wonder so many kids around here can barely function without their parents intervening about everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My mom thought/still thinks like you do and I have to say that we are not at all close now that I am an adult. Best thing I ever did for my mental health was go all the way across the country for college, which she tried to prevent - but couldn't stop because I got a scholarship and my dad supported me. I never felt she was happy for me whenever I got to experience something great - it was all about how sad she was that I was so far away. That was a huge burden for me, though I learned to deflect it.

We couldn't afford going to camp when I was growing up, and my mom never would have allowed it even if we could have, but several of my siblings would have really benefited from it.

My own child has an anxiety disorder and started going to a week-long scouting camp by himself in 5th grade. It was an amazing experience for him because he realized how strong and brave he could be. He loves it there. His doctor said it is one of the best experiences we could give him. At some point we may move it up to 2-3 weeks.