So camp is now less then 60 days away!!! The excitement and anxiety are setting in for my daughter who is about to embark on her first summer away — especially because she is going it alone.

I asked the camp directors for some names and numbers of  a few ‘new’ girls that live locally, so that I could hook her up with some friends before camp starts. This way she will feel comfortable and will have a familiar face or two at the bus stop.  Some camps have new camper get togethers or ‘meet-ups’. But my camp does not, so I was on my own here and looking to arrange something for my daughter, a camp blind date of sorts.

I emailed one of the moms that the camp directed me to. After exchanging several emails, we were are all set, until two days before when the mom emailed me to reschedule. Uh-oh! How do I explain this one to my very excited 8 year old ?  I scrambled to set something else up because she was disappointed. After all she was looking forward to this and now she has to wait a whole month to meet her new ‘campie’.  Through some networking on my part I found another first-timer in the area going to  the same camp…phew! So I began emailing with the mom and it turned out she was hosting a  little get together for some girls in two weeks. Awesome!

My daughter got dressed that morning and redressed — because of course she wanted to look her best. After all doesn’t everyone want to look good on a ‘first-date? She was nervously optimistic. We got to the girl’s house and after the mom and I chit-chatted for a few minutes, our girls were locked in stares, no words exchanged. Awkward!

The next girl came in and the mood started to loosen up a bit. Then one more girl arrived who was a returning camper. It was time to break out the token camp gifts I brought for the girls (hair bands that say ‘camp’ on them)  and some bonding began. A craft project by the hosting mom sealed the deal. Things were really rolling now, so the moms excused themselves so the girls could have lunch and get better acquainted. The hosting mom invited us other moms to leave and to check in later. Breathe!

An hour-and-a-half had gone by when I got a call from the hosting mom telling  me things are going great and that the girls would all like to stay another couple of hours, if that’s OK. Of course, I’m delighted! When I came to pick up my daughter, the four ‘campies’ were actually putting on a show. We practically had to drag them out. All hugged good-bye and they were already arranging date number two. The whole ride home my daughter chatted about her new camp friends and how she couldn’t wait for camp to start…’Mommy,  61 days till CAMP’. And she immediately got on the phone with one of the girls when she arrived home, gabbing away.  Relief!

I would say that what started out as some butterflies about meeting some new faces quickly turned into sheer anticipation of the next time they meet again… Success! : )

To learn more from a mom who knows about

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD CONTACT…

Erica Siegmann (Mother & ‘Camp Specialist’)
EricaS@Campspecialists.com or 917-734-8679

Although, getting prepared for camp and the ‘camp outfitter appointment’ can be fun and exciting, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting! Those of you who have been through it can probably commiserate.

So I am here to share some helpful and motherly advice — to make your experience as stress free (and dare I say fun) as possible. For those of you about to embark on this for the first-time, here are my tips:

Be Prepared, Be Organized! I think as a mother this goes without saying. But it is especially important going into your camp outfitter appointment.

Make sure you have your camp’s packing list with you and that you have marked off what you already have – as well as what you may want to purchase at a less-expensive, “big-box” type of store. Remember, many items never make it back from camp. Socks, towels and bathing suits are prone to mysterious disappearances. So be smart about what you choose to spend your money on. Also, you may not need everything on the list, as some items are optional.

Book your camp appointment early 2-3 months before bags are being picked up. Give yourself ample time to make changes in your order. Leave plenty of time to label and don’t forget to ask about ‘free’ name taping services. Many camp outfitters offer this service when you spend over certain amount.

Allow your camper enough time at the scheduled appointment You will need 2-3 hours per camper … especially important for first timers. I know that seems like a long time but, trust me, your child will need time to try on clothing/shoes etc. And if possible, try to book the appointment at a time of day that your child doesn’t tend to get easily tired or distracted.

Feed your child before your appointment and pack a snack Remember these appointments can take up to 3 hours, (especially for first timers). A hungry child (or parent) makes for a cranky/bad experience. So bring something along to keep your child (and yourself) going.

Preview before your appointment (and you can/should say NO!) If an item does not look or feel “right” to you in the eleventh hour, don’t feel obligated to take it.

Save Coupons, Seek Out Deals Yes, clip, snip and SAVE! We all know camp is expensive and camp shopping is no exception. So why not save yourself some money by using coupons where you can?

You should also look for sales during the off-season. For instance, during August a lot of stores sell off camp merchandise they have left over and — trust me — it really is the same year after year. August is a great time to purchase towels, comforters and bunk junk for the following summer. You can save up to half off of regular prices. Come the following spring, you will be thrilled you had the foresight to make these advance purchases.

Also, get on your camp’s uniform company’s email list. They usually run promotional sales to entice families to purchase during the off-season. Also a great time to stock up!

In the end, we all know how enticing it can be to go into the store and see all those camp ‘goodies’ — so be prepared to hear ‘I need/want’ from your child. Some special ‘Bunk Junk’ and extras to make your camper feel excited when they get to camp is a good idea. Just don’t get caught up in the camp buying hoopla, or you will surely feel the pain when your credit card statement arrives!

Hopefully shopping with your camper will be a ‘fun’ experience. Whether they are going off to uniform camp or not, there are many choices out there! So remember these tips to help you out and HAPPY SHOPPING!  : )

FOR MORE HELPFUL HINTS AND TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD CONTACT …

Erica Siegmann (Mother & ‘Camp Specialist’)
EricaS@Campspecialists.com
917-734-8679
800-443-6428

Summer Options Galore!

Spring has sprung and you may be wondering what to do with your child this summer. Are you tired of the same old camp names you hear on the street? Not every child is cut out for a traditional camp setting. If this is your child, or your child has simply outgrown his or her current camp setting, Camp Specialists has some unique alternatives to offer:

• Study marine science
• Learn Mandarin
• Adopt a horse
• Raft, bike & camp out
• Build homes in Central America
• Learn tightrope and trapeze
• Read & discuss classic novels
• Design computer games & apps
• Learn to prepare a gourmet meal
• Become a skateboard wiz
• Decide what you want to do!

Which option is right for your child?
There are hundreds of camps out there – but not every camp is going to be the right fit for your child. Cal and tell us about your son or daughter. Enlist us to find that special summer experience for your child.

Call today to take advantage of our FREE service: 1-800-443-6428.

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.