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.

Camping Checklist For Camping Gear

Novice Campers, as well as seasoned campers, should prepare a camping checklist of the gear that they should include when packing for a camping trip. It is easy to get side tracked and possibly forget important items without a checklist.

Sometimes it is easy to have a laps in concentration and simply not include small items that are none the less important. If you have a standard "Camping Checklist" it will help insure you have a safe and happy camping trip, because you will feel confident knowing you have included all necessary gear you will need while on your trip.

As a seasoned outdoorsman I have been on hundreds of camping trips and until I actually sat down and made my Camping Checklist I was always forgetting something. I am going to provide you with a gear checklist to help get you started. I hope this checklist will keep you organized as you pack for your trips.

Camping Checklist Outline, for Happy Campers!

Camping Gear:

Tent - Along with the tent you should be sure to pack the tent stakes, and mallet for driving the stakes.

Rope & Twine - I always carry extra for unforeseen uses, and in case of emergencies.

Sleeping Bag(s) - Be sure to include sleeping bags for each person that is going on the trip.

Lanterns & Flashlights - Remember to take extra lantern fuel as well as Batteries if needed.

Garbage Bags - I use the Large Yard Leaf Bags, because they can be used for raincoats and trash.

Camping Stove:

Camping Stove - Don't forget to include fuel for your stove.

Eating Utensils - Forks, Spoons, and Knives etc., I used the nicer plastic disposable type.

Cooking Utensils - Large Spoon, Hamburger Flipper, Filet Knife, etc.

Plastic Plates - You may use either plastic plates or the traditional paper plates.

Camping Grill - I use a small grill for cooking Fish and I use store bought charcoal.

Camping Food:

Cooking Oil - I personally like cooking fresh fish and it is high on my checklist.

Flour & Cornmeal - This is a personal choice for me.

Canned Goods - Pork and Beans, canned pineapple.

Sandwich Meat - Ham, hot hogs, and other types of luncheon meats for sandwiches.

Peanut Butter - I eat lots of peanut butter sandwiches. (Don't forget the bread)

Snacks - Granola Bars are nice, as well as beef jerky, potato chips etc.

Drinks - Bottled Water, Fruit Juice, and Sodas.

Emergency Camping Supplies:

First Aid Kit - I bought a Complete First Aid Kit with thermometer on Ebay.

Snake Bite Kit - It is always important to carry a Snake Bite Kit because you never know.

Insect Repellent - I use Deep Woods Off, but this is just my personal choice.

Pain Medication - Yep, you may still get a headache in the great outdoors.

Stomach Medication - I pack Pepto-Bismol Pink Tablets and Imodium for diarrhea.

Antiseptics - Remember to add rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide on your checklist.

Eye Water - I have just added this to my emergency supplies in the past year.

Personal Camping Items:

Cash - Yep, you better carry along a little cash because Country Stores don't issue credit.

Personal Identification - You never know if the Game Warden will check in on you.

Cell phone - Hopefully used ONLY in case of emergencies.

Camera - Be sure to pack extra memory Cards, batteries, and film if you have a 35mm camera.

Map - You really should have a map of the area where you will be camping

Personal Camping Supplies:

Anti Bacterial Soap - I personally use Sulfur Soap which helps prevent itching.

Sunscreen - 20 SPF Sunscreen will do just fine. An important item for your checklist.

Paper Products - Don't forget the toilet Paper, and paper Towels.

Camping Clothes:

Jacket - You may need a warm jacket even in the Summer if you are in the mountains.

Hats & Caps - Always include a cap or hat for sun and rain protection.

Other Clothing - This becomes a personal issue, so just carry what you will need.

Misc. Camping Supplies:

Camping Knife - I personally carry along (2) mlitary Grade Machetes & a Hhunting Knife.

Camping Axe - I always pack (2) axes so I will have an extra to chop campfire wood.

Candles - I always carry a dozen or so emergency candles. They really come in handy.

Water Purification - I have always packed my water purification kit for emergencies.

Portable Radio - It is advised to include a portable radio in your gear, not only for entertainment but also for weather reports should the weather turn bad while camping.

My personal Camping Gear List has grown, and has been changed and modified, many times over the years. I now keep my list on my computer so it is easy to make changes, add and delete items, and when ready I just print a copy and I'm ready to get packing for the trip.

I hope this Camping List will get you started with your own personalized checklist, and maybe you will make it a priority to update yoursbefore each camping trip.

Please understand that I have NOT added everything on the list above. This checklist is only meant as a guide and I expect you to adapt and improvise in making your own to include the gear, and supplies that fit your own personal style of camping.

As far as my own personal list I would also include an ice chest type cooler, thermos, camping coffee pot, emergency fire making kit, ponchos, flares, compass, walking stick, 22 pistol, hunting bow, prescription medications, frisbee, towels, blankets, sewing kit, and other camping supplies that are suited to my own personal camping supply needs.

If you are taking kids along on the camping trip then you will need to include gear suited for kids. I think you get the picture of what a complete list should include, and hopefully your own personal camping gear list will help make you a happy camper while out in the great outdoors.

As a closing note: Please be careful with your fires while camping and extinguish unattended fires, Also remember to clean up your camping site before you head back home.

Camping Supplies - 4 Most Essential Camping Gear For A Troublefree Camping Experience!

Whenever you decide on to go for camping vacation.There are essential camping supplies you have to think about. Particularly if you are new to camping scene altogether. There are lots of things you will have to learn and do before going for camping.

The camping supplies that will be required on your camping trip is much more than a tent and a sleeping bag. First consider the size of the tent you are looking for. The tent size will depend on the number of people going for camping and the number of tents that are going to be used.

The tent size will also depend on how comfortable you want to be while camping. For example, if you buy a tent sized for four people will mean that 3 people can sleep comfortably and fourth can be accommodated only if you plan to sleep packed and cozily in the tent with everyone having limited number of camping supplies.

Sleeping bag is one of the most important item of camping supplies. It's not proper to take just any bag when going to camp. It's essential to find out the weather condition of the campsite in order to take necessary precautionary steps to stay warm while sleeping and also protect your camping supplies while on the camping trip.

As the campers carry their camping supplies in a backpack, so it's important to find a bag which is not heavy and also too bulky. It would be so awkward to carrying something bulky along with the rest of the camping supplies . Therefore look for the right one for sleeping, which should be comfortable. To buy camping supplies may not be always cheap but it also doesn't have to necessarily make a big whole in your wallet. You can find the best quality bag at a reasonable price too from people who deal with discounted camping supplies.

One more thing that is important for camping if one decides is a camping stove. This can be purchased from any store, it need not necessarily be bulky and heavy, and any good quality and light weight stove can serve the purpose during camping. Small stoves are the best choice for a stove while camping in which even travel utensils can also fit into.

There are different and specific camping gears that can suit different campers depending upon their preferences. For instance, some people camp along with their small children, these people have to take lot into consideration before proceeding for the campsite than those traveling alone or with friends. There are some precautions all campers should take, but when children are also part of the camping program, and then there are more things to worry about. There is a camping gear available for families in which whole family can share very comfortably.

Camping gear is available for all ages, no matter who is camping whether old, or young, or traveling in a group or camping alone. It's easy to set up and use the tent which is essential for people who don't want to waste time building the tent.

How To Save 25% Or More On Summer Camp

Let's face it - sending your kids to summer camp can cost a fortune. But here's a secret: you can save up to 25% or more off your camp tuition if you know the right people and use the right strategies.

Sending your child to camp can be just like buying a car - you don't want to pay full price...and you don't need to! So let's start with 5 things you can do right now to save money at camp:

Early Bird Discounts

Camp directors want to fill their camps as soon as possible, and they want to get paid as soon as possible, perhaps more so than in other industries because camp directors only get a few months per to make as much money as they can. So you've got some leverage here. Most likely, a camp will offer you discounted tuition in exchange for your early registration (and sometimes prepayment). So make sure you ask the camp director about early bird discounts because you might be pleasantly surprised how much you can save.

Camp Coupons

Everyone uses coupons at the grocery store, but did you know you can save money with coupons at camp? There's a website in development called campcoupons.com. It probably won't be online for another few months, so it may not benefit you this year. But it'll be loaded with kinds of great coupon offers and discount opportunities from camps around the country. You'll be able to print free money-saving coupons from your favorite camp(s) absolutely free.

Meanwhile, there's another Website called gocamps.com that, last we checked, was offering offered discounts of at least 25% from participating camps on its site. Last we checked there were discount offers from camps across the USA. So visit http://www.gocamps.com, click on Registration Discounts and see what you can find.

Sibling Discounts and Group Rates

You might not see a sibling discount advertised, but don't let this stop you from asking because you can probably get one anyway. Most camps I'm aware of will generally provide a 5% discount off the second child's tuition...but they may not volunteer this opportunity is available. So remember, ask for a sibling discount!

Group discounts may be available for an even larger savings. How much of a savings are we talking about? The amount will vary from camp to camp and the size of your group. At a minimum, your group should save at least 10% off camp tuition. Why? Because it's a camp director's dream-come-true to register a bunch of kids at once, rather than expending the time, money, and other resources to seek out and enroll one kid at a time. You're making things easier on the camp, so your group should be rewarded with a nice discount.

Lock-in your tuition rate the year before

Camps generally raise their prices every year, so here's a little known secret that can save you lots of money. You can often freeze your tuition at this year's rates so your rates won't go up next summer, even though everyone else will be paying full price.

Similar to the Early Bird discount program described above, some camps offer Advance Registration discounts where, for a month or two after the current summer ends, you can prepay for the following summer at this year's prices. Even though you're essentially prepaying for camp year in advance, you're also freezing your tuition at the current year's rates and the savings can be tremendous.

Tax BreaksDid you know you might qualify for a tax deduction (credit) on your income taxes? In our experience, those who've qualified for this credit are parents sending their kid to day camps, not overnight camps. You will need to consult your tax advisor for the specific details because we are not qualified to give tax advice, and you should not construe this information as such.

How to Choose a Water Sports Camp

What's the best way for your child to be safe, have fun and beat the summer heat? Sign them up for a water sports camp!

Summertime and aquatic activities go hand-in-hand. According to Theresa Torrone, a volunteer for the American Camp Association (ACA), "Water sports camps are one of the fastest growing segments of the specialty camp field within the summer camp industry as a whole. There's a water sports camp for kids and teens of all ages no matter where you live."

Also known as aquatics sports camps, water sports camps generally offer surfing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, boogie boarding, body surfing, parasailing, swimming, inner-tubing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, boating and related activities.

What if your child doesn't have previous experience with these activities? Torrone says not to worry.

"Most water sports camps accept kids from every aquatic background, so your child can participate and enjoy the activities safely and have fun no matter what." To cover your bets, however, Torrone says to "always check with the camp director first."

Sometimes parents think a water sports camp is out of the question if they don't live close to the ocean. But Torrone says your kids can still get the full benefit of attending a water sports camp no matter where you live.

"Some of the premier water sports camps in the country use lakes, reservoirs and pools as their primary activity base. The ocean is fun, but it's definitely not essential to enjoying a premier water sports camp experience. For example, jet skiing, wakeboarding and fishing camps often take place at lakes or rivers. They don't require a beach or ocean for kids to have fun."

When asked about surfing camps, Torrone said, "I suppose if you want to learn to surf or attend a surf camp, you'll need to find a water sports camp near the beach. But even if you don't live by the beach, you can still go to an overnight surf camp. There are a number of them across the country."

To find a list of water sports camps, Torrone suggests contacting the American Camp Association.

"The ACA's a great resource. Whether you're looking for a surf camp, jet skiing camp, wakeboarding camp, or just a swimming camp, the ACA can provide you with a list of accredited programs all over the country."