
A recap of our Camp Decision 2021 Webinar – how to find the best fit sleepaway camp! Let’s start planning, preparing, and executing (a different kind of PPE) now with in person or virtual tours.
SIMPLY SUMMER
the blog of Summer 365
A recap of our Camp Decision 2021 Webinar – how to find the best fit sleepaway camp! Let’s start planning, preparing, and executing (a different kind of PPE) now with in person or virtual tours.
Our service was created with one goal in mind: to help you find the perfect fit camp for your child and family. Like lot of things in 2020, exploring camps will not look how it usually does this year. And like good camp friend, we are here for you! Join our team for a webinar on the camp decision 2021! You’ll get insider info, tips, and a helpful Q&A that will be applicable no matter where you are in your search whether you’re just getting started or in the process of planning tours.
WE GOT YOUR PACK – Amanda Zaitchik, one of our S365 Counselors, breaks down your first year must have items, right in time for camp shopping season!
Summer 2020 is getting closer and closer! Check out these Top 10 Things Every Parent Should Know – from the Owner/Director of Tyler Hill Camp, Wendy Siegel. There is more to it then wearing dark sunglasses to the bus stop! For all you first time camp parents — read on…
Packing. First time packing for overnight camp. There is always this mystery surrounding it. Is there a secret list? Should you really follow the list? What about the “extras”? As trusted advisors, beyond helping families find the best fit sleepaway camp, we are here with information, tips, and advice to help you in this new chapter of your parenting journey…so without further adieu here are some golden rules to abide by to help with the sleepaway camp packing process!
A parents’ note from the heart reflecting on their sleepaway campers first time adventure at overnight camp.
By: Adam Aronovitz, Director of Global Routes
Let’s face it…camp is magical. There is nothing on earth like feeling so at home, so welcomed, and so embedded in an intentional community of caring individuals. But the real magic of camp is being immersed in an environment that gives us support and space to grow, try new things, expand our horizons, and solve interesting real-life problems. It opens up our universe, illuminates our core values, and encourages us to be joyful, compassionate, community-minded, generous, curious, creative, and courageous.
Camp raises the bar for our daily existence and how we view true friendships. But at a certain point, it’s essential for camp-lovers to take their journey to the next level, by moving out of the camp bubble, and back into the magic beyond the comfort zone to put those skills and values into action out in the world.
Since the age of 6, I’ve spent almost every summer either attending or working at a summer camp, or designing and leading international immersion programs for students that have aged-out of camp. As the Director of Global Routes, and a 9-time global immersion leader myself, I work with countless former campers each year that are making the leap from the waterfront to the world. I want to help you make the leap in a way that will best support the continued growth of your camper!
Here are reflections from Jillian Gray and Kaleigh Mangiarelli. Jillian attended a month-long 2017 global immersion program and Kaleigh attended 3 month-long global immersion programs from 2008-10.
“My experience allowed me to become a more confident leader. The LIT program at my summer camp served as a basis for this confidence, and my program in St. Vincent helped me put these skills into action. The purpose of our trip aligned with the goals of my camp in many ways. Being able to travel with a group and have a common goal helped make the experience even more valuable to me. In many ways being a camper and being an international traveler are very similar. In order to fully embrace either experience, one has to be willing to keep an open mind and be willing to make mistakes. It is all part of the process. -Jillian
“DO IT. I cannot stress enough how important seeing the world outside of your “bubble” is. International travel is so important in opening your eyes. The people you come into contact with, the history you learn about, the new activities and foods you try are all so extremely valuable in helping you see what life is truly like. When you actually get to see these places in person, you are gaining a much deeper appreciation for the world around you.” -Jillian
“Just do it. You absolutely will not regret it. It will change the way you look at your life, change the “things” you value, and ignite a spark for travel and learning about others that you never knew you had.” -Kaleigh
“It helped my empathy grow to be more than just about other people’s feelings, but about others circumstances as well.” -Kaleigh
“International travel is so important in making us more aware of the world around us. Being more aware helps us become more empathetic and informed. I became more aware of myself and the impact I can have on the lives of others just as other people can have a similar impact on me. Realizing how interconnected we all really are is emphasized through international travel.” -Jillian
“Truly it is the people. These people have come to shape my perspective and have allowed me to become a better version of myself. I think that learning from other people is the most powerful tool we have, and the Global Routes experience allows you to form those connections to people you would never expect to be friends with at first.” -Jillian
“The ‘Full Value Contract’ explains it all. Putting the group members in charge of creating the rules, not just the authority making those decisions. This is a way that both camp and Global Routes teach young people to hold each other accountable, but in the most positive of ways.” -Kaleigh
“The group living aspect of the Global Routes experience was particularly helpful to me in making this transition since it taught me some of the most valuable lessons about cooperation and collaboration. I know that my parents have said before that they didn’t have trouble picturing me going to a school far away because they knew of the independence I gained from this program. I am loving my experience in college already and I am thankful that I was able to feel right at home here almost immediately because I have already had such wonderful experiences being so far outside of my comfort zone.” -Jillian
“It is hard to put into words how life-changing it is.” -Jillian
Tips from Adam to find a great program fit:
Please note that Global Routes offers free webinars this February for families that are hoping to learn even more about global immersion experiences. Learn more here.
Here are 7 tips to help your camper nail their first camp get together!
Our Camper of the Week series is back. Today in conjunction with International Day of the Girl, we introduce you to Juliette Blake the Founder of Miss O and Friends!
In our Camper Confidential series we share interviews with current campers to give us a behind the scenes look at camp straight from the source! Meet Sandy and her happy camper Sophie!