By: Samantha Shinewald In the lead up to camp, we all spend so much time making lists… things we have, things we need, things the kids want (but don’t actually need). From underwear and toothbrushes to a penguin onesie for a special event, somehow it’s all on the list! The golden rule of packing that duffel is “leave nothing to chance.” So, camp says 3 bathing suits, better make it 5! All along, we are trying to convince ourselves that our kid will be OK, and if it means another run to Target the night before the bus leaves – so be it! Then, once the bus pulls away, and the bags (and kids!) ar ..read more

By: Wendy Siegel Some helpful hints for parents planning to visit camps this summer: 1. Don’t go by what “everyone” says about Camp X – make your own decisions and go with your heart.   Everyone else isn’t you.  So if you’re listening to the chatter or rumor mill or plug your ears and put on blinders.  Find the camp that feels right for YOU.  People love to talk even when they don’t actually KNOW that what they’re saying is true. They’ve “heard” that the camp you’re looking for is for spoiled rotten kids or they’ve “heard” that there are too many counselors from abroad or t ..read more

By: Samantha Shinewald As a camper in the ‘90’s, visiting day was always a highlight of the summer! I remember my parents showing up in their knee length khaki shorts and k-way raincoats, with grocery bags filled with all my favorite foods; my beloved Montreal bagels (IYKYK), new stickers and stationery, maybe a gift for my bunkmates, some new comic books, and more. I would introduce them to my friends and counselors, show them my bed, and then walk them around camp. It was a great day. When 2020 began, one of my top goals was to find the perfect camp for my daughter, so that she could board ..read more

We hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy! Speaking of HEALTH, which is constantly on all our minds these days, we have an exciting announcement to share as we launch into 2022. Summer 365 is continuing our partnership with PM Pediatrics, the nation’s largest provider of pediatric urgent care. They have over 50 child urgent care locations in 13 states and have been around for 15+ years. As a trusted resource and advisor to families and clients, summer camp and program partners, and the industry we serve, we love to share other experts and valuable resources we know our community would ..read more

Save the Date – Camp Tshirt Day is back and better than ever. Tuesday, November 9th we can’t wait to see you rep your summer home ALL DAY LONG! With the crisp fall weather setting in and Thanksgiving around the corner, we are all in need of a little summer loving…especially during these unprecedented times! For 11+ years, Camp T-Shirt Day has been a special day for the international camp community to celebrate camp and show some serious camp spirit. #CampTshirtDay provides a dynamic way to engage the camp community of the past, present, and future by encouraging summer camp campers, staff, alu ..read more

Written by Laurie Rinke, Owner/Director of Echo Lake As an adult, sometimes it is hard to remember the feelings that you had leaving home to go to camp, or even college for that matter.  Do you remember what it felt like to once again sleep in your own bed or get something from the refrigerator whenever you wanted?  Campers returning home after the summer enjoy the comforts of home and, of course, the individual attention of family showering them with love and affection.  The idea of leaving the happy cocoon of home can be almost unfathomable to any child, especially t ..read more

Contributor: Wendy Siegel, Owner/Director of Tyler Hill Camp PRE CAMP JITTERS? A LOT OF THEM… NONE OF THEM…WHAT’S NORMAL? it’s totally normal for your first time camper to feel heightened nerves! It’s not uncommon for kids to start expressing that they’re nervous especially after a year of unprecedented togetherness. You might see this displayed with their words or with “new” behaviors (waking up in the middle of the night, wanting to sleep in bed with you, a little separation anxiety). On the other hand there are some kids act totally cool as a cucumber and don’t seem phased. You’re wondering ..read more

Is this actually happening? 22 months after leaving their beloved summer home, my kids are finally heading back there. This Saturday. It sorta doesn’t feel real after this last year +. We’ve gone through (and not done yet!) a (hopefully) once in a lifetime global pandemic, over a year of different version of learning and school, social distancing, masking, missing out on seeing & celebrating with loved ones, minimal activities, and an entire summer of no camp. Child experts always talk about the resilience of kids, and while that’s never felt more true, these kids have truly been total r ..read more

By: Katherine Stiroh After spending many summers at an all girls overnight camp in Pennsylvania, a veteran sleepaway camper turned counselor writes a letter to her younger self sharing genuine lessons and advice with all first time and future campers. My first summer at camp was when I was going into 4th grade, and I was so excited to start camp after three years of drops-offs and visiting days for my older sister. I heard countless stories of her funny moments in the bunk with her friends and the cool things she got to try every day like biking, making smores, and arts and craf ..read more

By: Julie Kaiden Camp is under a month away (yes, you read that right!) and it’s time again to start thinking about the infamous “Last Meal”, or for some families, “the week of a thousand meals”.  Campers can be overwhelmed with the first day jitters, but are also anxious to reunite with camp friends and get back into the much deserved summer routines.  Parents are getting emotional about separating with their kids, whether it’s for 2, 4 or 7 weeks – especially after all the time they have had together over the last year +.  It certainly brings up all the feels as we watch our c ..read more