| Type summer camp into any search engine and | | | | experiences are more meaningful simply because |
| the results can be overwhelming. There are pages | | | | of the newness of the experience. |
| and pages of listings. One cannot rely on the | | | | 2. Do you want a religious focus to your camp? If |
| search engine to rank the "best" camps from top | | | | so, then make that a priority in your search. If |
| to bottom. At or near the top of the search | | | | not, then be aware, many non-denominational |
| results will be camp-directories. This is because | | | | camps are great and respectful of all lifestyles. |
| they put the most money into their sites and | | | | 3. Do you want the camp to be unisex or is |
| have the most links since they represent so | | | | CO-Ed acceptable? Either way, camp directors |
| many clients. Of course a directory cannot dictate | | | | and counselors are aware, day and night. There |
| the best camp for you. | | | | are pros and cons to either camp scenario. |
| Somewhere on the pages you will find individual | | | | 4. Decide what you want to do on your vacation. |
| camp-websites you can peruse as well as the | | | | If you want an acting/drama-intense-camp, then |
| aforementioned directories. | | | | choosing a camp focusing on water sports is not |
| While the camp directories are convenient, they | | | | for you. This said it is important to look at what |
| are not authorities in identifying the best camp for | | | | camps do offer because there are differences |
| you: you are. The directories are companies that | | | | even in camps that appear similar. You may be |
| charge camps for their listing services. There are | | | | able to do MORE and spend about the same. For |
| charges for premium placement (being at the top | | | | example, in our area, the foothills of Northern |
| of the page) for banner ads (the ones that blink | | | | California, there is a camp on a lake that has |
| or scroll at the very top of the page) and badge | | | | many water activities as well as hiking, crafts, |
| ads (logotype ads on the side of the page), as | | | | ropes, etc. Just down the road is a camp that is |
| well as, for information they will share (website | | | | based on a river. The camp on the river does |
| links are always more, color, movies, etc). I have | | | | everything the lake camp does as well as |
| been quoted upwards of $6000.00 dollars for a | | | | whitewater rafting, off site excursions to |
| one-year ad in one of these directories. In | | | | water-parks, pro-basketball games and visits an |
| fairness I should mention often the directory will | | | | historic State Park. The costs between the two |
| offer a free listing, these are at the bottom of | | | | camps is nearly identical, in fact the river-based |
| the listings with little to no data. | | | | camp is even a little less expensive. Make sure |
| For you, a prospective camper or guardian | | | | you do your shopping. If you are debating |
| thereof, there are some nice features to be | | | | between a few camps, email them, ask them |
| found on the directories: camps are broken down | | | | questions and then compare their responses. |
| by category, by region, byreligious affiliation and | | | | 5. Do not exclude yourself before you make |
| by overnight or day camp etc. | | | | contact with a camp! For example, if you see the |
| While this data can help draw you closer to the | | | | word "adventure" in the camp title, do not |
| type of camp that is an excellent fit for you, | | | | assume this is only for aggressive outdoor |
| they should not be the end of your search. It is | | | | enthusiasts. Email and ask what, if any experience |
| always good to do your own search engine crawl | | | | is necessary. Same goes for rafting or skydiving |
| once you have parsed out the features you want | | | | or surfing... well you get the idea. Most camps are |
| in a camp. | | | | geared for nearly everyone in the accepted age |
| Maybe you want a rafting camp but you would | | | | range. If they are worth their salt, they will have |
| also like to go away from home or visit another | | | | competent and positive staff to guide you along |
| part of the United States. Then you can search | | | | each adventure. |
| for camps that can accommodate the special | | | | 6. Do not be afraid to make contact, in fact, I |
| circumstances surrounding your camp arrival and | | | | encourage you to make contact via either email |
| departure: for instance a camp that offers shuttle | | | | or phone. Question these people, listen or read |
| service from the local airport. | | | | their responses with receptive ears and eyes. You |
| To help you begin your camp search, here are | | | | can gauge the authenticity of someone by the |
| some questions to ask yourself and thoughts | | | | way the respond and interact with you. You are |
| worthy of consideration: | | | | important and so is your summer experience, go |
| | | | with someone you feel comfortable! |
| 1. How long are you wanting to be at camp: for | | | | The long and the short of it, there are many |
| the day or overnight? (overnight camps are | | | | options for you when choosing your summer |
| referred to as resident camps) If attending a | | | | adventure. Take a moment, stretch yourself a bit |
| resident style camp for the first time, it is | | | | and really go for something you want to do. Make |
| NORMAL to feel nervous. Deciding on a resident | | | | contact with the camp. Do not exclude yourself |
| style camp can be nerve-wracking but don't | | | | from something new, ask questions. You are |
| eliminate this option. Remember, the other | | | | important; the response you receive should make |
| campers will be new too: you are not alone in this. | | | | you feel as such. These steps should help you find |
| Many campers who attend resident style camps | | | | that right fit. |
| make friendships that last years and often the | | | | |