The Steps to Promote Summer Camp Success

The Steps to Promote Summer Camp Success

Each summer camp has its own unique culture that distinguishes it. This culture is generally encompassed by the owner or director, and oftentimes permeates throughout the camp, impacting the staff, campers, and general feel of the whole camp environment.

That said – even within a camp that shares a strong culture, each age-group, and each bunk, is going to have its own distinct mix of kids and thus own its own personality. When we’re working with a camp family, we always have conversations with camp directors to discuss these social factors. Speaking candidly with a camp’s director will give you great insight into fit, and will provide clarity regarding what bunk and session placement will be most beneficial to your child. Whether you’re picking a new camp for your child or children to attend, or your child is going to be returning for another summer, here are factors to keep in mind to help set your camper up for success.

Gap Year 101: What Is It, And Is It Right For Your Student?

Gap Year 101: What Is It, And Is It Right For Your Student?

The Gap Year, a concept that has been commonplace in countries such as England and Australia for some time, is becoming increasingly popular with American students. College advisors, teachers and even universities, such as Harvard and Princeton, are discussing the benefits of a gap year and encouraging students not go to college right away.

So what exactly is a gap year and might it be right for you or your child?

The Long-term Value of Maintaining Off-Season Summer Relationships

The Long-term Value of Maintaining Off-Season Summer Relationships

The late fall and early winter frequently mark the time of year that camps begin holding organized reunions or get-togethers for current campers. Among the lifelong benefits of attending overnight camps or teen programs are the incredible friendships that children and teens are able to make.

And while these friendships are oftentimes a staple of a successful summer, that doesn’t mean they need to be limited to the summer season – and placing a priority on these outside of summer will ultimately serve your children or teens well in the long run.

Fall Semester Checklist – Staying On The Ball

Fall Semester Checklist – Staying On The Ball

As classes pick up and students buckle down, it can be easy to get lost in the rigors of advanced coursework, team sports, and other commitments – and in the fall, it makes sense that summer feels very far away.

However, a student who thinks ahead can position themselves well to accumulate impressive and meaningful extracurricular credentials, while a shortsighted start to the school year can leave a student at a disadvantage when they finally turn their attention towards springtime or summer plans. 

With that in mind, below are a few areas that we proactively focus on with our Everything Summer client families, to ensure they are on-the-ball and prepared for fall semester:

When Summer Camp Isn’t a Success: What’s Next?

When Summer Camp Isn’t a Success: What’s Next?

Sometimes summer just isn’t what the camper, or their parents, hoped for. And this can lead to a difficult question for parents to confront – what’s next? With re-enrollment around the corner, now is the time to establish whether a situation is correctable or it’s time for a change. So what are the possible options to tackle a summer that didn’t work out as desired?

Filling In the Gaps: Piecing Together The Summer Puzzle

Filling In the Gaps: Piecing Together The Summer Puzzle

It is very valuable for children and teens to build their summers around a primary interest or experience, as these longer-term programs can have tremendous impact. However, it is very rare for any single program to last for the duration of the time that a student is on summer vacation. So what can you do to fill the weeks of downtime, and ensure that your child doesn’t spend hours each day becoming one with the couch and television?

Summer Camp: The Real College Prep

Summer Camp: The Real College Prep

I often think back to my first day; a brand new environment where I knew very few people. It was daunting and terrifying. Am I talking about camp or college?

Both.

During the first few months as a student transitioning to college (and becoming an adult), choosing your major, adjusting to a new environment, and making connections are all expected. After all of that, you are still supposed to stay on top of your course load. It’s hard to believe that three months prior, we were still considered kids. This is difficult for anyone, but the preparedness that many summer camp participants feel is not an accident.