Searching the internet for a "summer camp" can yield an overwhelming number of results. Unfortunately the best camp for you may not be anywhere near the top results; your perfect camp might be on page 10. Right at the top of the search results will be camp-directories. Directories appear here as they put the most money into their sites, into their web-ranking. A directory won't know which camp is best for you.
You can ignore the directories all together and dig between their listing looking for private websites run by individual camps but how much time do you have? This process can take up your valuable time and greatly limit what you are able to see and research.
You time must account for something and thus the camp listing sites are a good tool when it comes to giving you a variety of camps to review in a compact format. Do know they're a business, and not qualified to rate camps. It may look like they know how to put what camp at the top of their page but they don't. They're companies making money off the camps and they charge those camps for every feature you see, including what's at the top. Another draw back to the directories is the fact that those camps that don't use the resource don't appear on the list. And the one that's missing might just be the camp for you. So, use these tools for what they're worth, save some valuable time and then work a little on your own, outside of the directory, to find the best fit for you and your summer.
Categories like day or overnight, all girls or CO-ED, specific religion, location, camp focus and more are all things a directory will help you identify. This can aid your search and save you time from visiting one website after another.
Okay, so now you're armed with a really good idea of what's available in the summer camp world and what you'd like to experience. This is a good place to be, a place of empowerment. Now, you need to get in front of that computer and begin looking for the specific features you want: looking for THE summer camp for you.
After spending adequate time in the first phase of research you realize you'd like to try and adventure camp, preferably one that has a lot of water activities. Since you live in Connecticut, you want to visit sunny California. This should be your internet search, 'California adventure camp AND water'. After using a few different logic-trains, you should make contact with the summer camps discovered in your search. Interview these companies, either on the phone or by email. Ask if they will pick you up at the airport. Some camps offer this service, we do at our camp. By taking this extra step, you'll locate the summer camp for you.
You can add or remove questions from this list but these basic questions should aid you greatly in your search for the perfect summer camp:
1. How long are you wanting to be at camp: for the day or overnight? (overnight camps are referred to as resident camps) If attending a resident style camp for the first time, it is NORMAL to feel nervous. Deciding on a resident style camp can be nerve-wracking but don't eliminate this option. Remember, the other campers will be new too: you are not alone in this. Many campers who attend resident style camps make friendships that last years and often the experiences are more meaningful simply because of the newness of the experience.
2. Do you want a religious focus to your camp? If so, then make that a priority in your search. If not, then be aware, many non-denominational camps are great and respectful of all lifestyles.
3. Do you want the camp to be unisex or is CO-Ed acceptable? Either way, camp directors and counselors are aware, day and night. There are pros and cons to either camp scenario.
4. Decide what you want to do on your vacation. If you want an acting/drama-intense-camp, then choosing a camp focusing on water sports is not for you. This said it is important to look at what camps do offer because there are differences even in camps that appear similar. You may be able to do MORE and spend about the same. For example, in our area, the foothills of Northern California, there is a camp on a lake that has many water activities as well as hiking, crafts, ropes, etc. Just down the road is a camp that is based on a river. The camp on the river does everything the lake camp does as well as whitewater rafting, off site excursions to water-parks, pro-basketball games and visits an historic State Park. The costs between the two camps is nearly identical, in fact the river-based camp is even a little less expensive. Make sure you do your shopping. If you are debating between a few camps, email them, ask them questions and then compare their responses.
5. This is is your summer, your adventure, don't sell yourself short. If you're normally found behind a book rather than in a tree but an adventure camp sounds new and exciting, then you should try the camp. If you think you're not up for the hiking or ropes course or surfing, make contact with the camp and ask them, share your concerns with them. More often than not you'll find they are well staffed and are completely prepared for the first timer. Moreover, you'll probably have the best summer ever, if you just stretch yourself a bit!
6. Email the camp, call the camp and dialogue with the camp! I cannot stress this enough. Anyone can write about how great their camp is, and everyone WILL write about how great their camp is, but the decision as to which camp fit you, is yours and yours alone. The only way you're going to answer questions and get comfortable with your decision is to make contact. Camps should welcome your email and/or call. You're important and your summer is yours to make great, find a good camp and you'll find the best fit.
The tips above are a good starting point towards finding that camp that's going to help you make BFFs and provide you with memories for years to come. As you see, there is a tremendous variety in summer camping from adventure to day crafts. This is your time to live it up, take the time to research, be bold, take a risk on something new. Reach out via email and go with the camp that responds in a way that speaks to you.
You can ignore the directories all together and dig between their listing looking for private websites run by individual camps but how much time do you have? This process can take up your valuable time and greatly limit what you are able to see and research.
You time must account for something and thus the camp listing sites are a good tool when it comes to giving you a variety of camps to review in a compact format. Do know they're a business, and not qualified to rate camps. It may look like they know how to put what camp at the top of their page but they don't. They're companies making money off the camps and they charge those camps for every feature you see, including what's at the top. Another draw back to the directories is the fact that those camps that don't use the resource don't appear on the list. And the one that's missing might just be the camp for you. So, use these tools for what they're worth, save some valuable time and then work a little on your own, outside of the directory, to find the best fit for you and your summer.
Categories like day or overnight, all girls or CO-ED, specific religion, location, camp focus and more are all things a directory will help you identify. This can aid your search and save you time from visiting one website after another.
Okay, so now you're armed with a really good idea of what's available in the summer camp world and what you'd like to experience. This is a good place to be, a place of empowerment. Now, you need to get in front of that computer and begin looking for the specific features you want: looking for THE summer camp for you.
After spending adequate time in the first phase of research you realize you'd like to try and adventure camp, preferably one that has a lot of water activities. Since you live in Connecticut, you want to visit sunny California. This should be your internet search, 'California adventure camp AND water'. After using a few different logic-trains, you should make contact with the summer camps discovered in your search. Interview these companies, either on the phone or by email. Ask if they will pick you up at the airport. Some camps offer this service, we do at our camp. By taking this extra step, you'll locate the summer camp for you.
You can add or remove questions from this list but these basic questions should aid you greatly in your search for the perfect summer camp:
1. How long are you wanting to be at camp: for the day or overnight? (overnight camps are referred to as resident camps) If attending a resident style camp for the first time, it is NORMAL to feel nervous. Deciding on a resident style camp can be nerve-wracking but don't eliminate this option. Remember, the other campers will be new too: you are not alone in this. Many campers who attend resident style camps make friendships that last years and often the experiences are more meaningful simply because of the newness of the experience.
2. Do you want a religious focus to your camp? If so, then make that a priority in your search. If not, then be aware, many non-denominational camps are great and respectful of all lifestyles.
3. Do you want the camp to be unisex or is CO-Ed acceptable? Either way, camp directors and counselors are aware, day and night. There are pros and cons to either camp scenario.
4. Decide what you want to do on your vacation. If you want an acting/drama-intense-camp, then choosing a camp focusing on water sports is not for you. This said it is important to look at what camps do offer because there are differences even in camps that appear similar. You may be able to do MORE and spend about the same. For example, in our area, the foothills of Northern California, there is a camp on a lake that has many water activities as well as hiking, crafts, ropes, etc. Just down the road is a camp that is based on a river. The camp on the river does everything the lake camp does as well as whitewater rafting, off site excursions to water-parks, pro-basketball games and visits an historic State Park. The costs between the two camps is nearly identical, in fact the river-based camp is even a little less expensive. Make sure you do your shopping. If you are debating between a few camps, email them, ask them questions and then compare their responses.
5. This is is your summer, your adventure, don't sell yourself short. If you're normally found behind a book rather than in a tree but an adventure camp sounds new and exciting, then you should try the camp. If you think you're not up for the hiking or ropes course or surfing, make contact with the camp and ask them, share your concerns with them. More often than not you'll find they are well staffed and are completely prepared for the first timer. Moreover, you'll probably have the best summer ever, if you just stretch yourself a bit!
6. Email the camp, call the camp and dialogue with the camp! I cannot stress this enough. Anyone can write about how great their camp is, and everyone WILL write about how great their camp is, but the decision as to which camp fit you, is yours and yours alone. The only way you're going to answer questions and get comfortable with your decision is to make contact. Camps should welcome your email and/or call. You're important and your summer is yours to make great, find a good camp and you'll find the best fit.
The tips above are a good starting point towards finding that camp that's going to help you make BFFs and provide you with memories for years to come. As you see, there is a tremendous variety in summer camping from adventure to day crafts. This is your time to live it up, take the time to research, be bold, take a risk on something new. Reach out via email and go with the camp that responds in a way that speaks to you.
About the Author:
For two decades, Action Whitewater has provided professional whitewater rafting trips: always a leader in youth trips. Adventure summer camps are the organic expansion of this focus as they work to create the best youth programs on the river. For information, video and photos of what you can expect at an adventure camp, visit our website.
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