Paying For Camp

Many parents joke that they are going to have to take out a second mortgage to pay for college, but what about for overnight camps? What are the costs and is it worth the benefit? We help send our kids to college because we know that this investment will help them secure better-paying jobs and a brighter future. For a camping experience, however, is it worth it?

For some of us, camp was one of the most cherished growth experiences in our childhood and we feel the gift of camp is one that we will bestow upon our kids no matter what the cost. For those of us who did not grow up as campers, we have to decide what all the buzz is about and make a determination if we can afford it or not.

As a former camper, counselor and teen tour leader, I believe that camp is a priceless gift that you can give your child (of course, as long as you find the right fit). Camp experiences pay off in all sorts of "emotional intelligence" dividends: self-esteem; self-reliance; self-awareness; empathy; the ability to listen, cooperate and share; self-control; the ability to wait in line (delayed gratification). Research shows that developing these skills leads to greater success in school and deeper and healthier relationships. And these early, positive growth experiences are fairly good indicators about our success as adults. So, now that you are convinced that camp is all it is cracked up to be, how much does it cost and how are you going to pay for it?

Types of camps. There are two types of camps: agency camps and private camps. There is a pretty big price differential between the two. If cost is a concern, agency camps - like YMCA, JCC - make camping much more affordable. They can do this because they are subsidized by agencies, therefore making your summer tuition less. You can expect to pay about $500 - 650 a week.

Private camps are not subsidized, so the camper is paying for all of the costs to run a camp: insurance, staff, equipment, capital improvements. In the Midwest, you can expect to pay between $750 - $1000 a week for a private camp. In Missouri and Southern Illinois, private camps are a little cheaper because they do not offer the extensive water sports, like sailing and water-skiing, like camps in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan).

Discounts. There are other ways to save, as well. At most camps, early enrollment discounts are offered. So, if you do your homework early enough, you can take advantage of this discount. In addition, if you are trying to provide a camping experience for more than one child, be sure to ask for a sibling discount (assuming that one camp can suit the needs of all of your children). Lastly, if you are looking at camps on the East or West Coast, be sure to ask for a "Midwesterner's discount." Our camps in the Midwest are traditionally less expensive (if you can believe that after looking at the costs of camps).

Extras. When budgeting for camp, you should also ask the program director about extra costs such as optional activities, spending money, special clothing and equipment, or trip insurance. A camp may offer horseback riding, but is there an additional cost for participating in this activity? When your son or daughter goes to the camp store, do they have an open-ended account or is there a set amount? If it is open-ended, you will be the one responsible for that bill at the end of the summer so you should have a conversation with your child about proper spending. If there are out-of-camp trips, you should find out whether or not those are included with your tuition.

Scholarships. Almost every camp - private or agency - offers some amount of need-based "camperships." Jewish Federations, church groups and YMCAs give out scholarships for camp. Many private camps have foundations to send needy kids to camp which, besides being a good thing for those kids, help to diversify their population. Most camp directors are altruistic, giving individuals that would like to see every child in a camp. Some camps even give "scholarships for life." So, once a child qualifies, they are promised that scholarship for however long they attend that camp. For older kids, there are programs like Summer Search (summersearch.org) whose aim it is to send at-risk youth to leadership development programs like wilderness trips.

Camp is a wonderfully enriching gift you can give your child. If you want to send your child, there is probably a camp out there to welcome them. Happy camping!

The Secrets to Choosing the Right Camping Supplies

Camping is the best time to engage in fun activities such as hiking, fishing, bird hunting, boat riding, and others. But these activities are not enjoyable without exceptional camping equipment supplies. In view of that, it is of utmost importance to bring the right camping supplies in your trip. When planning the activities, you need to make sure that you have a basic camping supplies list of what equipment to bring. If outdoor fishing is on your list of activities, then you will need some fishing supplies to carry out the activity.

Buying on the Net

Different discount camping supplies are available online. When you search for online camping supplies, you will see that there is a lot of camping gear to choose from. Any type of gear can be purchased via the Internet. Some camping supplies retail shops even offer great discounts on selected items online. This means that you can buy the camping supplies that you need at discounted prices. What a great way to buy the perfect gear for your camping excursion.

To ensure that you will have a pleasurable experience, you will need to create a list of camping supplies that you will need for the outdoor camping activities. Before embarking on the trip, check if you have all the camping equipment that you need. The camping supplies list is important so that you know what other supplies you need to purchase.

The Benefits

Buying the right supplies for camping is easy. There are plenty of resources online where you can purchase the right camping equipment. Most of these resources offer a wide array of outdoor camping supplies to choose from. Some camping supply websites offer high-quality equipment at prices that are easy on the pocket. No matter what kind of outdoor camping activity you are in, there are camping tools and equipment readily available for you. When choosing for the right camping supplies, you can start your search by looking into various websites that offer a wide display of cheap camping supplies.

Generally, websites that sell family camping supplies showcase different brands and styles of camping products. When you shop online, you can easily buy the camp gear that you like without any hassle at all. Buying online is very convenient because you can make a comparison of the prices of various supplies needed for camping and choose the one that meets you requirements.

What to Consider

Purchasing the camping supplies online is very simple nowadays. However, we also have to take the necessary precautions when buying. The best thing to do it is to compare the range of the camping products as to the satisfaction that they can give to the user, their quality, sizes, and prices. Ask yourself these important questions. Are they really needed in the trip? Do they suit your taste and lifestyle? Are they of high quality? Do they meet your camping budget? When you already know the answers to these questions, then, that is the time when you can decide on what camping supplies to buy.

With the complete list of camping gear and supplies, there is no doubt that you will have a successful camping adventure. The wholesale camping supplies are the key to experiencing a camping excursion at its finest. Most of all, always remember to carry only the essentials. Your main purpose here is to enjoy the trip and to take a breather.

How to Choose a Summer Camp For Your Kids

Choosing the right summer camp for your child can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming task. Since there's a seemingly endless variety of choices to consider, matching the ideal camp to your child's interests, personality, and busy schedule can be daunting. Furthermore, as a parent, you have the responsibility of ensuring the camp you choose for your child is operated in a safe and appropriate manner for your child's age and skill levels.

The following is a camp selection checklist for parents to consider when considering summer camp opportunities for their kids:

1. Identify the camp's program emphasis. Every camp has a different philosophy and program emphasis. Some camps promote structured group activities, while others give campers more individualized freedom to pick and choose the individual activities that appeal to them. Some camps offer strictly traditional activities, like horseback riding and archery, while others may focus exclusively on sports, drama, or surfing. Or, maybe your child would flourish in a competitive camp environment whereas another child would be better off participating in non-competitive camp activities. By knowing your child's personality, interests, personality traits, and learning style, you can better identify the right camp for you.

2. Confirm that the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association. In order to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association (ACA), camps must comply with up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to camper health, safety and program matters important to a camp's operation.

3. Ask about the camp director's background. To ensure that the camp director is qualified, make sure they meet the minimum standards set by the ACA. Such standards recommend that camp directors hold a bachelor's degree, be at least 25 years old, have in-depth experience in camp administration, and have performed in-service training during the last three years.

4. Camper-to-counselor ratios. To make sure your child is getting the individual attention and supervision he or she needs for his or her age, compare the camp's counselor-to-camper ratio to ACA standards. For day camps, the general ratios range from 8:1 for 6, 7 and 8 year olds, to 10:1 for 9 to 14 year olds, and 12:1 for campers ages 15 to 17. For sleepaway camps, the general recommended ratio is 6:1 for 7 and 8 year olds, 8:1 for 9 to 14 year olds and 10:1 for campers ages 15 to 17.

(Please note, the above-cited child-to-counselor ratio standards are only ACA's general, MINIMUM recommendations and may vary depending on various situations and/or conditions. Moreover, there could be additional standards relating to specific programs and/or activities where more supervision may be prudent, if not required. Accordingly, you should use your own judgment and conduct your own research to decide what is appropriate for you and your child.)

5. Inquire about camp staff. Your child's counselors can make or break a child's camp experience. In addition to facilitating camp activities, counselors serve as role models and should be dependable, trustworthy, and show enthusiasm for their role. For safety reasons, counselors should also be CPR and First Aid-Certified, and have undergone criminal background checks prior to employment by the camp.

6. Accommodation of special needs. If your child has special needs due to an allergy or other medical condition, be sure to ask if the camp is equipped to handle these special requirements for your child.

7. Find out about how the camp handles discipline. As in any organization, rules are needed, and the camp's disciplinary approach should be fair and openly communicated. Positive reinforcement, a sense of fair play and assertive role-modeling are important things to look for. If penalties apply to certain violations, camp staff should apply them fairly, calmly and without unnecessary criticism.

8. Check the camp's references. References can provide you with a glimpse of the experiences others have had at a camp, and they are an important way of checking out a camp's track record and reputation. Before you choose a camp, the camp directors should be willing to provide references upon request.