About the process:
Yes! As an advisory service, we represent hundreds of camps and programs. If you pick a camp or program suggested by The Camp Lady®, we receive a commission from that camp or program after your child attends. There is never an obligation when receiving information and working with us will not affect your tuition.
The Internet can provide you with a lot of information, but it can all be overwhelming and confusing. We spend our summers visiting camps and our winters meeting with program directors. This gives us a good sense as to which camp or program would best fit your child's needs. As we've said before, we do the research for you!
Of course you can ask friends for advice, however, because we represent hundreds of camps and programs we can provide you with the most up-to-date information and knowledge as to what is out there.
We at Student Summers represent all different types of sleepaway camps and programs throughout the U.S. and around the world. We represent traditional and specialty camps, teen tours, community service trips, pre-college enrichment programs, SAT Prep, language and cultural immersion programs, wilderness adventure travel, internships, and much more to choose from
As an advisory service, we need to make the initial contact with the camps/programs. If you like to surf the web, that is all right, but please do not request information. It's really very simple. By making only one phone call or emailing us, we will send you all the information that you will need. This way the camp or program knows you are working with us. We will provide you with a list of the camps or programs being sent to you. After you have received the information directly from each camp or program, we can help you narrow it down to the ones most suited for your child. See, we told you it was easy!
Like most everything in life, what's good for one person may not be the best suited for the next. While your child's friend is great at sports and plays on competitive teams all year, every child should have their own experience that is based on their needs. Call theds. Call the Camp Lady® at Student Summers for help, we will find the right summer camp for your child.
About Sleepaway Camps:
There are many factors that a family should consider when determining if a child is ready for sleep-away camp. A couple of good indicators are that he or she should show an interest in camp and should have spent some time away from home, at least overnight, with family or friends. However, there is no exact age to begin sleep-away camp. Generally, the youngest children at camp are 7 or 8 years old, but each child and each family situation is unique. We at Student Summers are here to help you make this decision.
When beginning your search for sleepaway camps it is always good to plan ahead. Some families start their search up to a year and a half before their child will attend. Although it is not necessary to begin this early, we do recommend this if you are planning on visiting the camps while they are in session. Other families decide shortly before the summer to send their children to camp or on a program. It is never too late to give us a call! We are equipped to place your child year round.
Most camps offer tours to prospective families by appointment throughout the summer. It is helpful for parents to make a decision when they are able to see the camp in action and get a feeling of whether it is the right place for their child. If it is not feasible for you to visit the camps, do not be concerned. The Camp Ladies visit camps every summer. We are personally familiar with each camp and can share our wisdom and impressions with you.
There are many different types of sleep-away camps.
TRADITIONAL SLEEPAWAY CAMPS incorporate activities that give your child a taste of everything. They offer a variety of activities including land sports, water sports, arts and crafts, performing arts, adventure courses, horseback riding and many more. Each camp differs in that some are more structured while others offer program flexibility. These camps can be coed, all boys, all girls, or brother-sister camps (where boys and girls have separate campuses and facilities).
SPECIALTY SUMMER CAMPS give children of all ages the opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest. These include sports (such as golf, tennis, soccer, basketball, etc.), arts/music/theater, computer, adventure, academic and many more.
SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS meet the needs of a wide range of children. These include camps for learning issues, dietary/nutrition needs and other specific needs.
LENGTH OF STAY – Camp sessions can run anywhere from one to eight weeks.
PRICE – Sleepaway camps can range anywhere in price from $600 to well over $1000 per week. Some camps also have additional costs not included in their tuition for canteen, trips, laundry, horseback riding, golf, or private lessons so be sure to ask.
DISTANCE FROM HOME – There are camps in every region of the country. It is up to the family to decide what they are comfortable with. If this is not a factor, the options are endless.
There are hundreds of camps to choose from and just as many programming options. Student Summers can help you find what is best for your child whether its individualized programming, traveling with your age group in a predetermined schedule, or a combination of both. Let our knowledge guide you.
If you visit camp, the director visits your home or you speak on the phone, here are some questions you might consider asking:
- What are the camp's goals and philosophies?
- What type of child is most likely to have a good experience at this camp?
- What facilities does the camp have, such as a lake or pool? How convenient are they for campers to get to?
- What is the schedule like? Is it a structured program or one that emphasizes a lot of free choice?
- What is the camper-counselor ratio? What is the minimum age of the counselors? Where do most of the counselors come from?
- What kind of staff training is provided?
- What percentage of campers return each year?
- What is the total cost of the camp including extras?
- What are the sleeping arrangements? Are the showers and toilets inside the cabins or in a separate building?
- What type of instructional swim program is offered? Is swim instruction required? Until what age?
- How does the camp insure the safety and security of its campers?
- What types of food are offered at camp? Can the camp accommodate my child's food allergies, dietary restrictions or "picky eating?"
- What is the camp's policy about campers receiving packages, phone calls and e-mails?
- What medical facilities are on the premises or nearby? Is their a doctor at camp?
- What is the refund policy for a camper that leaves early?
- Will the director supply references?
- What types of programs and facilities are available in the event of bad weather?
- How does the camp program meet individual needs and differences?
- How does the camp handle "bullying?"