Chapter Six
A WEB OF SMILING FACES
In preparing to write this chapter, we looked at websites and brochures from hundreds of camps throughout the country, printed out reams of camp web pages from the Internet, and bought camp reference books. Within a few weeks, we had built a precarious tower of brochures, information sheets, and DVDs. Each showed smiling children doing fun activities; each guaranteed a great time. We developed a renewed appreciation for the challenge of picking a camp. With nearly 5,600 overnight camps in the United States, the process of gathering information can be as long as you want it to be. Of course, by the time you sifted through 5,600 camp websites, your child would be sending his own children to camp.
To simplify the search process, follow the step-by-step guide below, and search only for the type of camp in which you’re interested. After reading Chapters 4 and 5, you should know what type of camp you’re looking for, as well as the distance, location, length of stay, gender mix, and organization that you prefer. If you have not yet decided some of these issues, that’s OK, but your gathering of information will be less focused and may take considerably longer.
As before, we’ve provided a checklist on which to mark your progress. You can see by skimming this checklist that the goal of this chapter is to make a list. Your list will have the names and addresses of a dozen or more specific camps that you and your child find appealing. At the end of the chapter, you’ll use this list to request a packet of information from each camp. Then, in Chapter 7, we’ll show you how to evaluate those packets and narrow your selection to a single camp.
Don’t worry about doing everything on the list, or even doing it in order. We’ve written this chapter in the order that works best for most people, but a different order may work for you. As long as you are thorough in your search, you will have an excellent chance of finding a high-quality camp that matches your budget, your preferences, and your tough standards.
BEFORE YOU START:
CHECKLIST FOR CHAPTER 6:
Step 1: Start at Home
Step 2: Branch into the Community
Step 3: Explore Your Region
Step 4: Go National/International
Step 5: Send Away for Information Packets
A WEB OF SMILING FACES
In preparing to write this chapter, we looked at websites and brochures from hundreds of camps throughout the country, printed out reams of camp web pages from the Internet, and bought camp reference books. Within a few weeks, we had built a precarious tower of brochures, information sheets, and DVDs. Each showed smiling children doing fun activities; each guaranteed a great time. We developed a renewed appreciation for the challenge of picking a camp. With nearly 5,600 overnight camps in the United States, the process of gathering information can be as long as you want it to be. Of course, by the time you sifted through 5,600 camp websites, your child would be sending his own children to camp.
To simplify the search process, follow the step-by-step guide below, and search only for the type of camp in which you’re interested. After reading Chapters 4 and 5, you should know what type of camp you’re looking for, as well as the distance, location, length of stay, gender mix, and organization that you prefer. If you have not yet decided some of these issues, that’s OK, but your gathering of information will be less focused and may take considerably longer.
As before, we’ve provided a checklist on which to mark your progress. You can see by skimming this checklist that the goal of this chapter is to make a list. Your list will have the names and addresses of a dozen or more specific camps that you and your child find appealing. At the end of the chapter, you’ll use this list to request a packet of information from each camp. Then, in Chapter 7, we’ll show you how to evaluate those packets and narrow your selection to a single camp.
Don’t worry about doing everything on the list, or even doing it in order. We’ve written this chapter in the order that works best for most people, but a different order may work for you. As long as you are thorough in your search, you will have an excellent chance of finding a high-quality camp that matches your budget, your preferences, and your tough standards.
BEFORE YOU START:
- Buy a pack of 3” x 5” index cards or a small spiral-bound notebook on which to write information about camps
CHECKLIST FOR CHAPTER 6:
Step 1: Start at Home
- Find out what overnight camps your family members attended and recommend.
- Find out what overnight camps your friends, and your child’s friends and classmates, attended and recommend.
Step 2: Branch into the Community
- Ask for recommendations and information at your place of worship, if you have one.
- Ask for recommendations and information at community organizations.
Step 3: Explore Your Region
- Contact your regional American Camping Association office.
- Look in newspapers, especially the classifieds, for advertisements.
- Go to a camp fair. Talk to camp staff and collect literature there.
- Visit some local camps to get a flavor for what’s out there.
- Consider employing a personal consultant or using a free referral source, such as the National Camp Association.
Step 4: Go National/International
- Purchase a camp reference book or check out resources at the library
- Search for information on the Internet.
Step 5: Send Away for Information Packets
- Gather your index cards or notebook. This is your goal: make a list.
- Send away for an information packet or DVD from each camp on the list and store it all in one box or file, or check the camps' websites more closely.
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