Not only will your daughter improve her equestrian skills, but she will also experience traditional camp activities. Here is a sampling of what’s available:

Equestrian Activities

• Riding: all levels!
• Lessons
• Dressage
• Hunt Seat
• Bareback
• Horsemanship
• Barn Management
• Horse Shows
• Demonstrations
• Clinics

Traditional Camp Activities

• Arts and Crafts
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Campfires
• Talent Shows

Camp cultivates responsibility and independence. Your daughter will make lifelong friends, enjoy 3 healthy meals a day and be supervised by seasoned, warm and caring camp directors. Both one & two week sessions are available.

Call or email me today for dates and pricing:

1-800-443-6428

arlene @campspecialists.com

]]> http://campspecialists.com/new-girls-horseback-riding-program/feed/ 0 http://campspecialists.com/to-attend-with-a-friend%e2%80%93or-not/ http://campspecialists.com/to-attend-with-a-friend%e2%80%93or-not/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:44:33 +0000 Arlene http://campspecialists.webscope.com/wp/?p=1 Continue reading →]]> Is going to camp with a friend the right choice for your child?

Some kids insist on trekking off to camp with a best buddy. Others would never hear of it. So, is there a right? Is there a wrong? Absolutely! But the answer is different for each child. Attending a new camp can be intimidating for even the most confident individual. New campers are completely breaking away from their comfort zone, and it is normal for most kids feel out of sorts during the first several days. While the thought of having a built-in friend may seem comforting now, think ahead.How will your child feel once things have settled and he or she is acclimated to the new situation? Think about the possible situations that may arise, and how your camper and his or her friend might navigate these issues.

Different Families, Different Choices

“I wanted my daughter to go alone,” said Ivy Cooperman of Long Island. “I wanted Dana to have what I had: a whole separate group of camp friends.One of my best friends today is someone I went to camp with.We wouldn’t have that friendship today had we met any differently.” Prior to camp, Cooperman contacted her daughter’s camp for the name of another first-time camper in her area.The girls met beforehand and even went camp shopping together. As Cooperman said, “If nothing else, it was a familiar face on the bus. It was up to them whether they would forge a lasting friendship.”

Zach Cohen of Oceanside, NY believes he had the best of both worlds when he started camp five summers ago.”I didn’t plan to go to camp with friends he explained, but two of my friends ended up choosing the same camp. Luckily,we all agreed to bunk separately. This way, we had the comfort of a friend nearby, but also an opportunity to meet other kids.”

Arlene Streisand, director of Camp Specialists, a free camp referral service in Jericho,NY, feels it is often the parents, versus the camper, who want their child to know another person at camp. But she believes all kids go to camp with the intent of making new friends. Streisand says,”Kids experience so many special things at camp. If they are fortunate enough to bond with other campers, they will always be able to reflect back upon these experiences together.” Streisand continues, “Going with a friend from home can inhibit branching out and meeting other kids. So, it’s important to make sure the friendship is healthy and on solid ground.”

State of the Union

Prior to selecting a camp, make sure the camp’s a good fit for both kids. Friends should have parallel interests or the friendship may suffer, as one child thrives and the other may not. If you do decide to have your child attend camp and bunk together with a friend from home, think carefully about the state of this particular friendship. Consider the following:

1. Are both children new to this camp or does one friend have a history there?

2. Is this a recent or longstanding friendship?

3. Are the kids equal partners in the friendship?

4. Do friends know how to successfully work out their differences?

5. Does either child get jealous easily?

A little pre-planning goes a long way in determining how the friendship will move forward at camp. All friendships evolve. But the hope is that summer camp will add a richer and deeper dynamic to children who are already friendly in school or in their community.

So what’s the answer to the age-old question: should your child attend camp with a friend from home? The answer is, trust your instincts, think ahead and communicate the other child’s family about possible situations. Together you can decide what the right choice will be to ensure a successful summer for both campers.

Are your kids outgrowing sleep away camp? Are they gearing up for a teen tour or a different type of summer experience? This generally happens at about age 13 -14, and you may be wondering “What’s next?” for your teenager.

The array of available teen programs keeps growing, from academic to adventure. There are even travel programs in which teens travel during the week, but return home on the weekends. Camp Specialists knows the market and can advise you on finding the best program for your teen. Our service is free of charge and you are under no obligation whatsoever. Talk to us to learn more about the great and varied options:

• Teen Tours

• Community Service Programs

• Language Immersion Programs

• College Programs

• Outdoor Education Programs

• International Programs

• ...and more

We think teen programs are a great opportunity, and allow your children to expand their cherished camp experiences and skills into new arenas.

Contact us soon to hear more, as space is limited.  And please tell your friends about our FREE service. I can be reached at 1-800-443-6428 or feel free to email me at Arlene@campspecialists.com.

]]> http://campspecialists.com/teen-tours-the-next-chapter/feed/ 0 http://campspecialists.com/top-10-reasons-to-send-your-child-to-sleepaway-camp/ http://campspecialists.com/top-10-reasons-to-send-your-child-to-sleepaway-camp/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:50:45 +0000 Arlene http://campspecialists.com/?p=211 Continue reading →]]>

Thinking of sleepaway camp for your child, but need a good reason to give it a try? Well, we’ll give you 10 good reasons why sleep away camp is a fun, educational & character-building experience for children of almost any age.

1. Make New Friends
There’s nothing like sleepaway camp friends. These are kids your child is living with & they tend to form bonds far stronger than with friends from home. These are bonds that can last a lifetime!

2. Develop Skills
Sleepaway camps can help kids develop all types of skills, from athletics to acting! Just let us know what your child wants to focus on.

3. Learn Self Reliance
Bunk clean up, sorting camp laundry … sleepaway camp is a great opportunity for your child to become more self reliant & to learn to advocate for him or herself.

4. Take a Break from Computers & Electronics
Texting, Facebook, YouTube, iPhones … wouldn’t it be nice to give your child a break and let him or her learn to communicate in real life and in real time?

5. Instant Playdate: 24 / 7
What other setting can give your child a summer-long playdate?

6. Experience Different Types of People
Our worlds at home can be a little insular. Sleepaway camp is a great opportunity for your child to meet people from all over the country and from all over the world!

7. Master Areas of Interest
If your child wants to focus on a specific area of strength or interest, we’ve got a camp for you! Guaranteed.

8. Campfires & S’mores
Ghost stories, campfire songs, graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, cool mountain air … need we say more?

9. Canoeing & Swimming
Sleepaway camps boast spectacular lakefront settings that most day camps just can’t match!

10. Fantastic Memories!!!
As parents, many of us still think back fondly to our sleepaway camp days. Don’t you want to give this experience to your child?

Call Camp Specialists today for FREE advice on selecting the perfect camp for your child. We are one stop shopping, providing all the information you will need to make this important decision. 1-800-443-6428

Is CAMP on your gift list? It should be! The holidays are coming. And, once again, you’re probably wondering what to get your children as a gift. Is your home already filled with video games, iPods and laptops? In this day and age, what do you get for kids who seemingly have it all — right at their fingertips, no less?!

Instead of giving them another item which will ultimately serve to disconnect them, why not give the gift that will reconnect them?

Consider giving your children the gift of CAMP! Camp doesn’t need wrapping and its batteries won’t wear out. And, unlike this year’s hot, new toy, it is a gift your kids will remember well into adulthood … we promise!

And camp will bring them other wonderful gifts, such as confidence, independence and self-discovery. Not to mention the gift of summer friendships.

It’s true that we all have our moments in which we just want to chill out in front of a lit-up screen. But summer is an ideal time for your child to take an extended break from all the electronics and become immersed in the real world, in real time with real experiences and real opportunities for genuine growth. It is the ultimate 24/7 playdate — and it is the ultimate gift you can give your child.

Gift certificates are available! AND Not only will this gift not break — it doesn’t have to break the bank. We represent a broad spectrum of camps to fit any family’s budget. So, give us a call today or fill out our online info form.

If you want to give your son or daughter the gift of summer camp, why not consider what summer camps in New Hampshire have to offer? For those who feel these camps are too far, think again! Because – I can assure you – they are worth a little extra traveling for.  Independent Camp Specialist Donna Weintraub and I just returned from touring 7 top sleep away camps in the beautiful White Mountains. I’m excited to share with you what we observed.

From the minute we drove over the border into the “granite state,” we felt like we were on another planet.  There is an overwhelming sense of beauty and serenity.  The landscape is magnificent – with cows grazing, mountains in the background and blue skies beyond.

Here is a sampling of what your child will likely experience at a New Hampshire camp:

Zip lining into the lake

Crafting their own tennis racket in woodshop

Tending their own garden

Nurturing quail eggs through maturity

Playing ping pong on a unique 4-way table

Sunblock dispensers

Producing their own video

Learning responsibility & respect for others

Working their way up the tennis ladder

Playing beach volleyball

Windsurfing on the lake

Horseback riding on woodsy trails

Enjoying the stunning New Hampshire sunset

Roasting marshmallows over a campfire

Establishing everlasting friendships

Branch out and do something unique for your child. New Hampshire camps are special for the environment they provide, and for the pristine lakes on which your child will enjoy water skiing, wake boarding, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and swimming. And they will meet children from many different geographic locations. We encourage you to think outside the box and check them out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Please call us to discuss New Hampshire camps and to begin your camp exploration. As you can tell, we are excited to share with you some very special programs.

See our Facebook photo album from this wonderful trip and remember to LIKE us!

If you’re thinking of sending your child to sleep away camp next summer, you’ve undoubtedly heard some popular camp names floating around. And you may feel you have a pretty good idea as to which camps have the best reputations. Or, perhaps you may be influenced by cousins and friends who already attend a particular camp. So, wouldn’t it be all right just to send your child to sleep away camp, sight unseen, based on word of mouth? Maybe. But are you willing to take that chance? Keep in mind that a camp that’s a good fit for one child, might not be the right choice for your child!

The ideal time to start your sleep away camp research is at least a year prior to when you plan to send your child. Once you have narrowed down your choices to three or four camps, we feel it’s important to set up summer tours. While a promotional DVD can make any camp look fabulous, seeing is believing! What’s more, it may give your child some added security to have a “visual” on where they will be attending.

There are only seven or eight weeks in which to do your “hands on” research … to see the camps in action. So don’t delay. Weekdays are preferable for camp visits to gain a more accurate picture of how the camps typically function. Do not plan to see more than two camps a day, as tours can easily last two hours, and there is usually much rural ground to travel in between programs. If you can, bring your prospective camper along, so that he or she can be involved in the decision making process.

More than just viewing the physical layout of a camp, visiting the program will give you an accurate feel as to how things operate. Are the grounds well maintained? Is proper safety equipment being utilized? What do the cabins and dining hall look like? Is the staff attentive? Do the campers look happy? Take a look at our Top Ten Criteria for Selecting a Camp.

These are things you can only “take in” by visiting the programs. So, call today to set up your appointments, as touring availability can fill up quickly.

If you still need help narrowing down your choices, please give us a call for guidance.

We know many of you are busy scheduling camp tours and will be visiting a number of programs this summer. This is an important step in selecting a camp for your child! While you can learn a lot about a particular camp program by reviewing its marketing materials — visiting a camp will give you the true feel of the program. There are things you just have to experience to understand: the spirit, the warmth, the friendships.

Here are some topics to keep in mind when touring & evaluating potential sleep away camp programs. And feel free to bring a pen & paper with you on your visits to keep your facts & impressions straight!

Management: Keep your eyes & ears open when visiting a camp. Talk to the campers & counselors. Don’t be afraid to ask probing questions. Management style affects every aspect of the camp, from the top down. Be absolutely certain that this is a place that you and your child will be comfortable with. Sometimes this simply comes down to gut feelings.

Safety: Is there adequate supervision for the number of kids? Are kids wearing appropriate safety equipment for sports and waterfront activities? Are there water fountains throughout the camp, so kids can stay hydrated? Do activity areas have medical kits and two way radios to report accidents? Does camp have a defibrillator, in case of a medical emergency? Is there always a physician & nurses on the premises?

Programs: Will the programs satisfy your child’s interests? Are activities taught by professionals with adequate training? Does the camp emphasize cooperation, versus competition? Are there elective activity periods, if that is something your child would like?

Facilities: Is there a lake or a pool? Are facilities well maintained? Are sports fields and walkways in good condition? What is the condition of the bunks & bathrooms? Are bunks equipped with working smoke detectors & fire extinguishers?

Location: Are you and your child comfortable with the location of the camp and it’s proximity to home? Is the camp too remote? If your child has a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, is there a major medical facility in the area?

Value: Regardless of cost, is the camp providing a good value for the tuition paid? Find out if there are any “extra charges” you should expect, such as canteen, trips, extra fees for horseback riding or tennis lessons, uniform costs.

Staff: Where do counselors come from and what is their average age? How are counselors recruited and interviewed? Does camp do background checks? Is there a nightly curfew for staff, to ensure counselors get ample sleep? Is there adequate time off, so counselors are not overworked? (Being a counselor is a rewarding job, but can be exhausting!) What is the staff to camper ratio? What is staff return rate?  What is the “chain of command” at camp? Remember, happy counselors make for happy campers!

Food: Does dining area look clean? Is it cafeteria style or waiter service? Are there healthy selections provided for each meal? How are picky eaters accommodated? How does the camp manage dangerous food allergies and special diets?

Camper Population: Do campers look happy? Are there many kids attending in your child’s age group? Do most kids stay for whole summer or partial sessions? Do these seem like kids your child can relate to and befriend?

Emotional Needs: How is homesickness handled? Is camp sensitive to special needs your child may have? Does camp have anti-bullying program in place? The camp you choose should be able to accommodate all your child’s needs, both physical and emotional.

Any additional questions or concerns? We are here to help! Please don’t hesitate to give Camp Specialists a call!

While it’s easy to get excited by a lively DVD, you should get back to basics and remember which criteria you originally wanted in a camp and why. Make a list and see which camps fit your parameters by considering the following:

• Activity Options: Since camps structure their days differently, determine if campers pick their own activities or travel as a group … and decide which option is right for your child. Or if your child has a particular interest, such as horseback riding, see which camps offer the best program and eliminate others.

• Budget: Which camps fall into your budget parameters? Make sure to calculate any “hidden” expenses, (such as canteen or trip fees,) so you’re truly comparing apples to apples.

• Geography: Do you want a camp that’s a short car ride away? Or would you prefer to be further away to escape the local crowd and enjoy pristine surroundings? Location, location!

• Co-ed or Single Sex Camp: This decision, right here, can help you rule out several options. Don’t forget to consider younger siblings, who may eventually end up at camp.

Call early to schedule tours, as weekends, especially, fill up early. Carefully calculate the distance between camps, taking into account that you may be traveling on slow, country roads. And keep in mind that tours can last two hours or more, so limit your schedule to two camps a day.

Happy Planning! If you have any questions on scheduling  camp tours, please give us a call.

]]> http://campspecialists.com/narrowing-your-camp-search-scheduling-visits/feed/ 0 http://campspecialists.com/a-bully-free-summer/ http://campspecialists.com/a-bully-free-summer/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:21:35 +0000 Arlene http://campspecialists.com/?p=312 Continue reading →]]>

Whether excluded by the popular girls or taunted for athletic shortcomings, some of you may have encountered bullying in some form during your summers at camp. Maybe you didn’t even realize it was bullying. You simply “took your lumps” and moved on. But, of course, it hurt — and many of us still remember these painful incidents.

While we hope this doesn’t define your camp years, one in four kids does experience some form of bullying during their childhood. What’s more, most bullying incidents go unreported. Camp directors have taken notice and are now doing everything in their power to eliminate these kinds of situations from the sleep away camp environment.

Directors have become increasingly aware of the damage that bullying causes and many camps have instituted “zero-tolerance” policies when it comes to bullying behavior. Additionally, camps are being pro-active in training counselors on how to diffuse situations that may evolve into bullying. Camp owners are spending thousands of dollars prior to each season to train staff on important health and safety issues, and bullying is right up there on the list.

Many camps are turning to psychologist and “bully coach,” Joel Haber, Ph.D. of www.RespectU.com in White Plains, NY. Each June he makes his rounds to dozens of sleep away camps, providing an intensive staff workshop, which includes role play, conflict resolution techniques and clear codes of what behavior is, and is not, acceptable. Some of the topics he touches upon are the differences between boy bullying and girl bullying; sports bullying; off season cyber-bullying and how to help kids who “don’t quite fit in.” Dr. Haber strongly encourages directors & staff to institute a camper reward system for positive and inclusive social behavior.

Bullying is an issue that all parents should think about. Please ask your prospective camp director what they are doing to discourage bullying. Find out how they train their staff and what their protocol is when these situations arise. Make sure there is a formal anti-bullying program in place. You can also log onto Dr. Haber’s website for more helpful tips to avoid bullying.

When it comes to protecting your children against bullies, being reactive is simply not enough.

Charity Begins with CAMP!

Our charity for the month of March is Shaloma Hadassah, a chapter of the the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, based in Woodbury, NY. Specifically, we will be donating money to their scholarship program for Young Judaea Camps. Young Judaea is built on a framework that emphasizes three core facets: peer leadership, political non-partisanship, and religious pluralism. Within this framework, their programs and activities focus on instilling members with three core values: Judaism, Zionism, and Jewish identity.

Please join us in supporting this worthwhile endeavor.