Parenting Center Archives - Page 2 of 3

Posted on December 19, 2014 by camptowanda

10 Ways to Make Camp Shine On Your Social Media

promo_044 — #TeamTowanda #CampPride #TowandaCares

One of our recent blogs talked about how your social media can influence your chances of getting into your dream college or landing a job. It’s time to change how you think about social media and use it to help shape how you WANT the world to see you. Social media should be a place to showcase your passions, interests, positive influences and what drives you. How about telling the world about why you love CAMP!? Here are 10 great ways you can make your summer camp experiences SHINE on social media!

(tip: Include any of the ideas below on your Google+ and LinkedIn pages, which are both highly searchable and interesting to colleges and employers.)

Make Camp Towanda part of your digital profile. If you are a camper, this could be “camper at heart” on Twitter or Instagram or if you were/are a staff member “worked at Camp Towanda”.
Share the good you do at camp and postphotos, videos or write blogs about your participation with our camp philanthropy programs like Vision Walk, Morry’s Camp and SCOPE. Make sure you tag Camp Towanda and those organizations. Ask them to share your content.
Chronicle your camp experiences on a blog or make your college essay about camp. So many of you use camp as a subject for school projects. Get them published online. Some thought-starters: how has Camp influenced your life, your interests, your involvement in the community and your professional aspirations? Share a time that you were challenged at camp that changed you forever. Write a persuasive essay on why today’s youth should spend a summer at camp instead of a desk internship. Share what has camp taught you about yourself that you could never learn in school.
Publish a camp-themed BuzzFeed article. Here’s a fun one for inspiration!
Did you ever give a sermon at camp or write an article for the Towanda Times? Give us a copy and we will put it on our blog so you can share on your social media. Just ask!
Write a blog giving advice to first year campers or counselors about what life is like at summer camp. We’ll share that too!
Create boards on Pinterest that are a tribute to your camp passions. Friendship bracelets, Legos, nature art, KitKats!
Write a Tumblr blog cooking show on YouTube documenting you making ourcamp recipes at home or camp-inspired food.
Create a series of art that is homage to camp. Share your projects on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag @CampTowanda.
Create a camp tribute video. It could be funny, emotional or inspiring. Just have fun! Create a comic strip about camp adventures (look out Cheese, Milk & Pickle!) and publish it on Tumblr.

These ideas are just the beginning. Share with us how YOU make camp shine on your social media. It you have any questions you can always email our Social Media Director [email protected]. For more social media ideas and advice, check out this entire article and more under “Social Media Smarts” on our blog and on Pinterest.

Also for our staff, check out our popular blog: “How to Make Camp Counselor The Best Thing on Your Resume.”

Written by: Lauren Eckstein Forman, Social Media Director at Camp Towanda

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter. For over 90 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, culinary cooking classes, and special events. We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year. Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

Posted on November 25, 2014 by camptowanda

Why Parents Are Thankful For Camp!

Mitch and Stephanie Reiter are bloggers for HuffPost Parents. This blog was also featured in the Huffington Post

Many parents ask us about the benefits of sleep away camp, how much they can expect their child to grow and mature in a summer, and whether the changes will last beyond August.

Any veteran camp parent will tell you that camp is not just good for the child, but it’s good for the family! If you are a new parent considering camp for the first time, or nervous about whether your child is really ready, we wanted to share some of the changes you can expect after just one summer away from home! It’s amazing what seven weeks will do. We of course notice the change in our campers, but we love getting dozens of letters from first-time families who want to know “What’s in the bug juice, because we can’t believe this is our kid!?”

Here’s some of what you can expect even after just one summer at camp.

1. A willingness to try new things

They say the magic happens when you are pushed outside your comfort zone. And that is why they say camp is a magical place. There are activities kids LOVE and activities that may not be “their thing.” There is food that they can’t wait to eat (pizza day!) and meals that they can’t stand to see on the table. Because campers live and operate as a group, they learn to accept their differences, try new tastes and experiences, and learn they may actually like them! One mom shared that her picky-eater used to only eat plain bagels, plain penne pasta, pizza from a particular shop, salad and Hershey Bars. Seven weeks later, she can give him waffles for breakfast (hey — they have protein), any shape of pasta, any kind of pizza, and whole apples — not peeled and cut up in slices. She was also amused by his expanded choices at 7-11 (which is like the canteen at home), including Milky Way, Twix and Mug Root Beer. Now while that may sound like a sugary mess… you have to realize that this child seriously expanded his taste palette, made independent choices and may just be ready for Sloppy Joes next summer!

When children experience the reward of trying new things, it makes them want to try more. So many campers look at our climbing wall, and shiver at the thought of reaching the top. After a few weeks of watching their friends and being cheered on by their counselors, most of them will give it a go! The rush and excitement of making it half way, or climbing to the top, or even better, getting to ride down the zip line, is so exhilarating… it makes them more open to trying new things in the future.

What parents are thankful for: Less time spent as short order cook; more time planning new and exciting activities for your child.

2. Pride in taking care of themselves

For seven weeks our campers actually brush their teeth (at least before Visiting Day!), comb their hair, shower and dress themselves. All of these things involve surprisingly very few reminders, negotiating and reluctance. Why? Because they know it’s on them to get it done and “everybody is doing it.” They also live in close quarters and recognize that good hygiene is important and socially necessary. What a realization! Without mom or dad there to nag them into these responsibilities, it’s on them to stay clean and look presentable. Of course there is a learning curve for our younger campers to successfully care for themselves. But once they get it, they feel good to know they can do it themselves! When they come home from camp, they actually find it FUN and empowering!

What parents are thankful for: Shower hour for them is now rest hour for you!

3. Respect for their home and family

We talk a lot about the magic of camp, but we also know there is the magic of home. It’s a different kind of magic. The kind where kids drop their dirty clothes on the floor and they magically disappear. The kind where dirty dishes are left on the kitchen table and poof they get cleaned. Does this sound like your home? At camp, nothing magically disappears. Campers are responsible for clearing and stacking their plates, recycling, cleaning their bunk, organizing their belongings, folding their clothes and making their beds. They are held to standards during inspection and feel pressure from their camp family (aka their bunkmates) to uphold their responsibilities. If not, there are consequences. No one wants to let down his or her bunk.

There is also a deeper love between siblings at camp. If your kids are together at camp, they feel more connected in taking care of each other while mom and dad aren’t there. Even a couple minutes of sibling time a day at camp increases their love and respect for each other. New campers also enjoy feeling looked after by their camp big brother or sister, and they are more likely to pay those actions forward to their siblings at home. They have a deeper appreciation of what it means to be a big brother or sister.

What parents are thankful for: A child who contributes to the overall tidiness and order of your home. They also may walk their sibling to class, check on them during the day or read them a book at night. And it costs you nothing…unless you want to reward them with allowance!

4. Appreciation for rest time

One of the reasons so many parents say they can’t wait for camp is that their child will be unplugged for seven weeks. At camp we are 100 percent disconnected from technology and 100 percent connected to each other. Rest time doesn’t equal playing on the iPad, DS or watching television. When your camper comes home, you will be amazed at the activities they gravitate towards during down time. New hobbies like reading, playing cards, making bracelets, writing in a journal, playing ball are a refreshing change for you and them.

What parents are thankful for: Good old-fashioned fun like the old days, such as family game night, bringing a deck of cards to dinner (instead of the iPad) and maybe even a love for books. Imagine a world where you don’t have to nag your child to read? Also, your child may enjoy more quiet time in their room… an escape from the hustle of daily life.

5. Awareness and connection to life around them

A few months ago there was a powerful viral video called “Look Up”. It was a harsh reminder that many of us (and our children) spend our time looking down at our devices, texting, watching videos, hiding behind technology and living disconnected with our world. At camp we always look up. We look into each other’s eyes. Our hands are free for holding, playing and creating. At camp we connect. We are plugged into life. We live in the moment.

Kids learn to really listen to each other at camp. They understand what moves them, what scares them and what it means to be a true friend. They learn the implications of their actions on others, how to resolve differences, how to lead and how to be a part of a group. Because they are forced to live in a bunk with the same people for seven weeks, they understand it’s not all about them anymore.

What parents are thankful for: A better child. A better son or daughter. A better sister or brother. A better friend. A better student. A better community member. A better teammate.

And all of that growing can come from just one summer at camp! Imagine what your camper will be like after two summers, five summers, ten summers!? Talk about potential!

About Camp Towanda:

Posted on October 24, 2014 by camptowanda

Social Media Smarts!

As the Social Media Director at Camp Towanda, my job is to capture and share with all our “fans” the spirit of our camp. I am also responsible for educating and empowering our campers and staff how to be good digital citizens so that we can all be smarter, safer and kinder in the online world and the real world.

A couple of weeks ago I attended an eye-opening lecture at Tenafly High School called “Being Socially Smart”. I went in thinking this would be about the dangers of social media and how it can jeopardize your chances of getting into your top-choice college or landing that dream internship. However, I walked out realizing that social media has the power to be your ticket to success.

Now that I have your attention– before we discuss all the positive potential of social media, I do want to share something that is in the news. Snapchat, a popular instant chatting app that 46 % of 12-24 year olds are using, recently encountered a massive breach of 98,000 snapped photos and leaked them online. Oh Snap! How can that be when Snapchat’s whole premise is to make your content “disappear”? That’s because nothing digital is private. Just ask all those celebrities whose accounts were recently hacked. Anything taken on your device is connected to your phone’s IP address and can be tracked back to your account. There are also many 3rd party apps that were specifically designed to capture and save snapped photos. Nothing is invisible, nothing disappears and everything is permanent. You have heard me say many times, “think before you post”. But after this week’s “Snappening”, please think before you Snap. Is it something you want the world to see?

Speaking of what you DO want the world to see…here’s what I learned at last week’s lecture. As college admissions, internships and jobs become increasingly more competitive, social media can actually help set you apart! Think of your social media as part of the interview process- a window into who you are and what makes you different and interesting. If someone is looking to learn more about you, the first thing they will do is Google you. Give this a try. Include your name, email address and high school. What comes up on the first page? Is it something you are proud of and sets you apart? Is it a reflection of your character? How about your social media accounts? Do they paint a picture of your passions, your interests and contributions to the community? Are you using them to connect with that networks that interest you at universities and professionally? Are you following and engaging the schools, professors and thought leaders on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram? If you can answer YES to these questions, you are on your way to being “socially smart”!

Mr. Katzman’s philosophy challenges us to use social media to reflect and communicate our passions and enhance our digital footprint. “Think before you post” takes on new meaning. Now you can ask yourself three questions before you post:

1. Is this a reflection of who I am? Does it reflect my passions, interests and commitments?
2. Is this something I would want my parents, college admissions, coach, Mitch & Stephanie or future employer to see?
3. Do my posts create a balanced view of who I am? It’s okay to have some social activity on your profiles as long as it is balanced out.

There are many ways you can control your digital presence by enhancing your social media accounts with character-driven content, published articles, blogs and more. Camp is a wonderful passion that can set you apart, show the world what you are all about and what’s important to you.

I also encourage you to check out Social Assurity and see if you would be interested in their services (which include social media optimization and coaching). After hearing their founder Alan Katzman speak, I was impressed. You can check out their website here, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @social_assurity, and let them know that you come from Camp Towanda!

And remember…you are what you Tweet!

-Lauren Eckstein-Forman

Posted on August 14, 2014 by camptowanda

The Campers are Coming Home!

You made it. 7 weeks ago, you let them go, with tears behind your sunglasses, and trusted us with your precious cargo. When we return them to you on Friday, you will feel a change, you will see a change and you will feel pride that you gave your kids the best gift you ever could have given them. They may not be able to tell you every detail you want to hear. They may be emotionally drained from saying goodbye. They most likely will spend their days reconnecting with camp friends and holding on to every last memory, experience and bond.

We have given you a peak into their experience. You have looked through thousands of photos this summer, made Friday Nite Flix a Saturday morning ritual and checked the Camp Cam every now and then (speaking of which- we are proud of you parents for only crashing the camp cam a couple times this summer!). Now is their turn to share their side of the stories.

Gone are the innocent days when parents picked up their child from the bus and asked how Olympics broke out. In the old days, parents really had no clue and were so excited to hear it all! We know that “you know”, but please pretend like you don’t and ask all the same questions. Hear what they saw, what they experienced, what they conquered. Their stories are better than any photo we may have captured.

Speaking of photos, if you saved their Campminder photos, let your camper see them! Maybe they will want to share them with you from their perspective (if they choose to keep those moments to themselves…that’s okay too). Remember when you thought your child missed an activity because they weren’t in the group photo? Wait until they tell you they were laughing so hard they needed to run to the bathroom! Have them sing you their Olympics songs (we posted the song sheets on the blog). Let them make you a camp meal (our digital Culinary Kitchen Cookbook is coming soon!). But also realize this was THEIR experience and they may not want to share it all. It is an experience they can hold as their own and only something they and their camp friends can truly understand. And that’s what makes it so special!

You will notice change…we cannot promise it will all last (especially living unplugged-and not only surviving but thriving, reading at rest time, making their beds, eating with napkins on their laps and cleaning their showers). We hope as parents you learned and grew from this experience as well (I know I have!). See which of these “changes” you can make last, because we know your kids can do it! Consider adding some “tech-free” times to your family routine…you can even call it “Towanda Time!”–THAT will get them into it!

You made it. They did it. And we can’t wait to do it all over again in 317 days.

About Camp Towanda:

Camp Towanda is an independent, traditional, co-ed sleep-away camp in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. It is privately owned, operated and directed by Mitch and Stephanie Reiter (who are celebrating 25 years as owners and directors). For over 90 years, Camp Towanda has continued to define what camp should really be. Our program offers state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent and professional athletic department, waterfront, extensive arts, drama and adventure programs, and special events. We are highly regarded and respected as an industry leader and are involved in giving back to various organizations throughout the year. Camp Towanda is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of the Camp-Alert-Network, Wayne County Camp Association, Camp Owners and Directors Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association.

Posted on July 14, 2014 by camptowanda

“Tell me more, tell me more!”

We’re into the third week of camp (WOW!) and camper phone calls have started!!! Hopefully your calls are the recharge YOU need to make it thru the next 12 days until you see your camper IN PERSON! Many of you have told us that your campers were eager to get back into the action and on with their day after your calls (like you were interrupting something more fun going on!). Kids! Their letters may be vague, but happy, and we can understand that as a parent, you want to know MORE.

Like our campers, my net takeaway at the end of each day are feelings of pride, spirit and camaraderie and overall happiness. For them it’s sometimes hard to remember the exact activities they did during the day, the intercamps they played in, and the options they selected…because at the end of the day, they tried something new, felt great about themselves, made new friends and are ready for more. That’s what they remember and that’s what I remember. Because that’s the magic of camp, and what makes it SO different than every day life at home. The focus shifts from what you did TO how you feel and your overall experience and growth.

Some of you have asked for more specific intel about your campers’ daily lives from our counselors and Group Leaders. At Camp Towanda, we strongly believe in keeping our staff focused on being involved in camp and do not want to distract them with reporting to the parents back home. We recognize other camps do this. It’s just not our philosophy or culture. This is not to hide anything from you. This is to keep our staff focused on your kids and running camp. It is literally NON STOP action here from sunrise to sunset (and then after dark). However, there are several things we think may help you feel more connected:

There are a list of activities on our website and a typical day schedule. All our campers get involved in these activities and you can talk to your child and their counselors about them on phone calls and Visiting Day. Like all the traditional sports, Outdoor Adventure, waterfront, Gaga, Ghost, Arts & Crafts and more! Zumba is a big hit too (with the girls and boys!)! We change our schedule daily and no two days are alike!! Seriously.
Subscribe to our iCal from the App. It tells you exactly what the evening activity was for the day and scheduled trips. I try to convey the essence of these activities in my emails, but you can get the gist from the pictures (which are always posted within a day or two of the event).
When you come up on Visiting Day, you can take a peek at THE BOARD in the center of camp, which has info on group schedules, tournaments and daily life.
Follow our Blog– a couple times a week, we update the blog by translating my nightly emails into ‘English’, helping give you a sense of the week or a special event like Olympics. General to camp, but sometimes more specific than my emails. Enough to help you talk to your camper about it.
The pictures…while your child may not always be in a photo, they do communicate what is going on at camp, the activities, and the crazy fun we are having! #refresh
The Live Camp Cam! You can literally see what’s going on at camp! You can find out the weather and see the center of camp! Of course there’s a very good chance you won’t see your child, but you will see camp.
Use our exclusive CT checkbox stationery. These are questions that speak to the activities, food and fun you can only find here! Available in your Campminder Docs.

We understand it’s hard to go from being SO involved in your child’s day-to-day activities to feeling disconnected…BUT at the end of the day, we promise your kids are participating in a wide range of activities (literally all of them on our website), competitive/intercamp opportunities, evening activities and more! But most importantly, they are growing, maturing, and feeling great about themselves.

Kids are kids…and not always the best communicators! They are busy immersing themselves in life here at camp…which can sometimes leave them at a loss for words, and indescribable feelings…and that’s why we call it MAGIC.

Posted on July 1, 2014 by camptowanda

You’ve Got Mail!

We hope you are enjoying your summer at home and have found some time to write your camper. Campers LOVE getting mail!!!! Throughout the summer, we promise they will write you back. But we think it’s only fair to manage your expectations on those first few letters…let’s discuss…

Did you go to summer camp? Do you remember “mail call”? This was a time when someone from your bunk ran down to the head counselors’ shack to retrieve your bunk’s mail. A counselor or camper would then distribute the mail around the bunk as you eagerly awaited a letter from home. You loved getting letters from home!

Now do you remember letter-writing days? These were the times when you HAD to take a break from all the action and fun, and scribble down anything you could to fill a page and meet your requirement of sending a letter home. Do you remember writing a letter at night when you missed home? Or at rest hour when you were a little frustrated by a bunkmate, and the only person you wanted to tell was your mom? Or you just wrote “Having fun. Gotta go.” Can you imagine how your parents felt receiving those letters? It kind of makes you laugh right?

You give the gift of sending your child to camp and in return, they check a few boxes on a small piece of stationery, squeeze out some sentences and hopefully remember to put a stamp on the envelope! By the time that letter gets to you (often days or a week later), the moment has passed, the child has moved on but you are stuck with this letter! Oh the joys of being a child (and a parent).

Now with that in mind, please re-read our thoughts on letter writing in the Parent Guide. “Note to parents: Throw away the first two letters. You can call us after you read the third letter!! Take the advice from experienced camp parents, “please ignore the first 2 letters!””

We don’t want to make you think we don’t LOVE letter writing. We do for many reasons. Where else in modern times do people write REAL, handwritten letters every week and wait eagerly by the mailbox to receive them? It is an old art form of communication that is so important. It also is a valuable time for parents, grandparents, friends and children to think about each other without actually asking the other to do anything for them. It strengthens the bonds in your family and has the potential to be reflective, connective and memorable (has anyone read that book called “P.S. I Hate It Here. Kids’ Letters From Camp”?- it is laugh out loud funny!). It is for all of these reasons that we do suggest that you take the letters with a grain of salt.

One more reason we love letters is because they are a great tool in helping cure homesickness. Yes- that letter you may receive that sounds a little weepy can actually help your child cope. According to Homesick & Happy Author Michael Thompson, “Letters are absolutely the most effective antidotes for homesickness because the camper can read and reread them and feel connected to home without the parent actually being present. Even more important is the letter that the child writes to the parent, because the simple act of expressing the homesickness and mailing it off to the parent means that the child has made a mental connection.”

It is sometimes easier to remember an annoying little incident in a letter, than all the great things that are going on at camp. It is for this reason that we are so excited about our new Camp Towanda Check Box Stationery. Not only is it super-easy, eco-friendly and exclusive to our camp…it helps remind your child about all the great things that they are experiencing and want to share with their families! (Did you download it from CampMinder and print copies for your child to put in their stationery box? You can still send them some copies).

10487627_10100780938835831_1319294855_o

Oh letters. Write them. Read them. But most importantly, SAVE THEM. They will make you laugh one day! And you can give them to your child when they are grown up and sending their kids off to camp! That’s called Camp Karma!

Do you have a hilarious camp letter (present or past) that you want to share for our collection? Send them to [email protected].

First time parents- looking for more advice from seasoned camp parents? Check out this blog from last summer. It features 3 letters from our veteran camp parents to first time parents about “the letters”.

About Camp Towanda:

Posted on May 13, 2014 by camptowanda

The Job of Choosing a Camp

This summer, we will meet a whole new batch of prospective families at our upcoming weekend tours and S’more Tour Rookie Days. We are excited to introduce them to life at Camp Towanda, our philosophy and what makes us different. We are gearing up, we are opening our gates, we are getting ready to give them a glimpse of what we do and how we do it. As you make your tour arrangements and call us with any follow up questions, we wanted to share some advice that we have collected after meeting many families like yours over the years.

Today’s generation of parents has a daunting task of how they make decisions for their family. They are armed with endless information at their fingertips. Websites, videos, reviews, social influence and blogs (like this one). Everyone has an opinion to influence and weigh in. There is fear that you could make the wrong choice or fail your child. You want to protect your child and do everything in your power to lay the groundwork for “success”. And if your choice isn’t perfect, you fear your child’s unhappiness and the guilt that goes along with it. Now that sounds like a lot of pressure! The best part about camp is the pressure gets lifted. Your child leaves the nest, in a safe and loving environment to experience things they never could under the management of “Mom, Dad and Associates”.

But how can you be sure that this is the right camp? That they will love it? That they are ready?

First, you should trust the one thing that guides you the most as a parent. Your gut, your intuition and your values. When looking at a camp, you should learn what the camp is offering. Is it an authentic experience that has the morals, structure and beliefs that you have? Is it simply catering to the wavering whims of children, or does it have a confident leadership team that sets the tone, expectations and agenda? Are the directors your parenting partners who are invested in helping nurture and develop your child through adolescence, the teen years and into adulthood? Does the program offer the activities that would interest your child? How do they help your child grow into an independent and healthy person? And does it feel like a good fit for your kid (the people, the environment, the stuff you can only sense from actually being there)?

Second, remember who this decision is for and why you are sending your child to camp. Activities are important. Quality of facilities, instruction, all part of the decision. But those are merely vehicles to teach the life skills that will influence your child’s development and success for years to come.

We have seen so many wonderful children come through our program, and have heard parents insist their child swim extra hours, or receive additional baseball or soccer. But when given the CHOICE, children often opt for the activities that they can’t do at home, that peak their curiosity and challenge their senses. When away from mom and dad for 7 weeks, they want to create an experience that is their own. This is what fuels growth, development and healthy independence. Remember THAT is why you send your child to camp. One parent recently said, “I want my child to play tennis because I think they have real potential, but I can’t wait to see what they love to do at camp. What drives them when I’m not around. What makes THEM happy.” (now that’s the spirit)

We like to quote author Dr. Michael Thompson a lot around here, but what he says is so true…”You cannot make your child happy.” Once you realize that until a child truly can experience something on his or her own, they will always rely on a parent to help navigate their emotions. Whether it be homesickness, struggling with trying unfamiliar foods, friendship issues in a bunk, losing a match or winning a game, camp is the place where children can work through these challenges and feelings. Camp helps children learn to cope with real life situations because it doesn’t shelter them, it gives them the tools to succeed.

Third, camp readiness is a tricky one. So many parents are looking for their child to say “I am ready”, “sign me up”, “I love it here already.” While we get this a lot, this isn’t necessarily realistic. Especially if you are sending your eldest child to camp, they haven’t seen a sibling go through the experience and the unknown can be overwhelming. This is where you come in. They look to you as their leaders for guidance and to set the agenda (much like we do at camp). A year is a long time to get them involved in their pre-camp experience. If you think they are ready, if you are looking for them to grow and mature and have incredible life-changing experiences, help them understand the power of camp and your decision.

Remember how old your child is. 6, 7, 8, 9 and even 10 year olds cannot fully appreciate the reasons why or how you choose a camp. They see the facilities, the spirit and the activities. The sun, the rain, the smells of the day. They don’t necessarily see the values, how the campers return year after year and the lasting influence camp has on these campers and staff. Get your child involved in choosing a camp, but we believe that YOU should ultimately make the choice, or make the choice together.

There have always been ups and downs, everywhere in life. At camp, some days we have banana splits, some days we don’t! We have had rainy summers and very hot summers; some of have said not all Olympic Breakouts were the best ever and many have loved those awesome psych-outs! Sometimes your team wins the World Series, sometimes they don’t. Learning to live through the ups and downs throughout the day, the summer and the years together, with the help of your camp family, helps build self esteem, resilience and confidence to face the many challenges your child will face in a lifetime.

Give yourself a break. Hand over the reigns. Help your child grow without you. We promise they will love you for it! And if you haven’t already, seriously read Homesick & Happy. It will rewire you for thinking about the camp experience and the role you play in your child’s life. You cannot make your child happy, but you can give them the gift of camp. An experience that will transform their life and stay with them forever.

About Camp Towanda:

Posted on April 17, 2014 by camptowanda

Homesick, Childsick, Campsick!

With camp about two months away, you are probably busy preparing, packing and planning ahead for what we know will be the best 7 weeks of our child’s year! By now you have probably read our Parent Guide (maybe even a few times), read one of our favorite books “Homesick & Happy” (and our discussion guide in Campminder) and are gearing up both physically and emotionally for letting him or her “go”. As you cross things off your ‘to-do’ lists, one concern may be lingering. Will my child be homesick and what will they do at camp to help him or her cope?

home·sick ˈhōmˌsik/ adjective: experiencing a longing for one’s home during a period of absence from it.

Many parents (and some campers) worry about homesickness. Homesickness is totally normal. It means that you have a home worth missing! Camp is one of those truly unique experiences that allows children to conquer homesickness is a nurturing, loving, safe environment that will eventually become your child’s home away from home and “second family”. Learning how to overcome homesickness at a young age will help your child more easily deal with these emotions on future school trips, sleepovers, college and beyond. It’s all part of the process of becoming a healthy independent person! And isn’t that what we all want for our kids?

While our camp staff are well trained in helping children cope with homesickness, did you know that there are things YOU can do to prepare your child and set them up for success before they leave for camp?

It’s important to talk with your child honestly about what to expect and not ignore that this is part of being away from home. Here are some things you can say and do, which are well captured in the book “Homesick & Happy” (hint- read it if you haven’t already!).

Be honest about the possibility of homesickness. We agree with Michael Thompson’s suggestion in his book of what you can say, “You will probably be a bit homesick when you go to camp. Most kids do, but they get over it in time if they try hard to deal with it head-on and put some effort into coping. Feeling homesick just means that you have a home worth missing, a place where people love you. It is the most natural thing in the world to feel homesickness. I felt homesick the first time I went away from home. It is part of going to camp.”
Share stories about your own life. Did you go to summer camp or remember a time when you missed home? Is there a sibling in the house who may have been homesick and can openly discuss how they overcame homesickness?
Define 7 weeks. Use a calendar to help them understand what 7 weeks looks like. E.g. 7 weeks is like 7 spring break vacations! 7 weeks is the time between now and your birthday.
Get them involved in getting ready for camp! Ask them to help you fill out your forms, pick out their gear, shop for toiletries, pack, etc.
Trust your parenting partners. Remember that you chose this camp for a reason. No one wants to see your child succeed more than we do!

Ironically, your child will most likely overcome homesickness way faster than you will overcome childsickness! What is childsickness?

child·sick ˈchildˌsik/ adjective: experiencing a longing for one’s child during a period of absence from him or her.

While your child is very busy at camp, trying new things, making new friends and growing up, YOU are at home imagining every detail of their experience and adjusting to life at a distance. Yes- there is a cure for childsickness, but you have to be willing to “let go”. Easier said than done? Try these 5 things to ensure that you also enjoy your summer. Because we know your child will be having a blast!

Leave it to the camp to manage homesickness. When you talk or write with your child, focus on the positive to keep them moving forward in conquering homesickness.
Don’t make any deals. If you let your child think you will take them home if they are unhappy, it can hold them back on having a successful experience.
Practice makes perfect. Your child should practice the skills he will need (and eventually master) at camp -sleepovers, chores, overnight trips.
Enjoy the gift of time. Use letters and slower forms of communication. Stay tuned for a future blog about “letters from camp”.
Take a vacation! You’ve earned it. Parenting is one of the toughest jobs. You are giving your child the greatest gift by sending them to camp. You should celebrate!

We can only say, that once your child returns from camp, they may experience similar feelings of homesickness. Not to worry—this is not technically homesickness. Please see definition below:

camp·sick ˈcampˌsik/ adjective: experiencing a longing for Camp Towanda during a period of absence from it. Can only be cured by seeing camp friends, attending reunions and returning the next summer!

About Camp Towanda:

About Homesick & Happy

Homesick & Happy – How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow by Michael Thompson is a must read for today’s parents. In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming-for you and for them. But parents’ first instinct-to shelter their offspring above all else-is actually depriving kids of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go-and watching them come back transformed. In Homesick and Happy, renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to, this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers your children into a thrilling world offering an environment that most of us at home cannot: an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences; they often grow in ways that surprise even themselves; they make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When kids go to camp-for a week, a month, or the whole summer-they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.Author – Michael Thompson

Posted on August 8, 2013 by camptowanda

Unplugged @ Camp!

What an amazing 7 weeks it’s been, living life, blissfully unplugged at Camp Towanda! Of course our fans at home were very much PLUGGED IN to what we were doing at camp (with the Camp Cam practically exploding on a daily basis from all those views!). Remember this video?

Our campers (and staff) enjoyed so many benefits of being tech-free for 7 weeks.

They connected at the dinner table with each other…their hands, device-free to clap and cheer and eat camp delicacies!
They enjoyed silly bunk conversations after ‘lights-out’ without feverishly texting under the glow of a cellphone.
They sang old-school camp songs with each other on the bus instead of watching You Tube videos and playing games.
They talked face-to-face and actually made eye contact to share stories and resolve issues.
They didn’t stop every few steps to take a ‘selfie’!
At camp…we live in the moment!!!!

It has been so refreshing…they actually said they felt happier, free and cleansed!

unplugged

As campers get off the bus tomorrow, embrace their parents and loved ones, it won’t be long before they reach for their devices and start virtually ‘reconnecting’. We expect a flood of new ‘likes’, loves, comments and posts on our @camptowanda accounts…as they start sharing and reliving the 2013 summer!!! We expect some bunkmates to create virtual bunks with group texts and Facebook groups (hopefully including everyone, since that’s the Towanda way!). And we expect they will slowly enjoy re-entering the real world, reaching out to their friends outside the Towanda family.

We encourage you to take this ‘re-entry’ time as a fresh start…an opportunity talk with your kids about their online activities and what they may have learned from their unplugged experience this summer. You may even want to create a ‘tech-free zone’ at home (and call it ‘unplugged at Towanda time’)?!!!

Of course, there are some amazing things about the virtual world!!! We love that it keeps our Camp Family connected all year and we look forward to hearing about everyone’s adventures and seeing their smiling faces grace our @camptowanda Instagram feed! We are here as your parenting partners should any camp-related, virtual/real-world issues arise. You can also check out our “Social Media Smarts” Pinterest board for some great articles about kids, teens and the virtual world.

Now get ready to hug, kiss and enjoy having your kids back in your house…because at camp, we’re going to be very lonely without them!

#ampedforcamp14

Posted on August 4, 2013 by camptowanda

Why Sleepaway Camp is Good for Kids…and Parents!

So can you believe your kids are coming home THIS WEEK?! Where did this summer go?! Thank you so much for entrusting us with them this summer.

We have watched them grow leaps and bounds, thrive in ways you could never imagine, make their own choices and try new things. We also watched them navigate challenging waters, advocate for themselves, tumble but not fall and SOAR. The power of Camp Towanda is truly magical!

I’m sure as you reflect on the summer that was, you also feel as parents that you learned some things about yourselves…especially to our first time parents. How far you have come in the past 7 weeks? From tear-filled sunglasses on June 22nd to now, as you anxiously await the return of your changed child. They are older, braver and more independent. They return home more confident, compassionate and respectful. What is it about camp that makes that all so possible? Part of it is because they are in the “No Fly Zone”.

It’s no secret that this generation of parents has been dubbed “The Helicopter Generation”. With all the information and access we get to our kids’ lives for 10 months of the year, we are able to influence so much in their lives (of course from a place of love). How liberating (and a little scary) did it feel this summer to lose that control? Three of my favorite books, “Homesick and Happy“, “Free Range Kids” and “Blessings of a B Minus” helped me manage ‘helicoptering’ my own children…but I have to say….I think sending your kids to sleepaway camp is absolutely the best cure for helicoptering!

Back in June, do you remember worrying that your child should not be in a bunk with “Jane” and you were so concerned that you called and emailed camp a dozen times? And now Jane and your daughter are arm in arm in nearly every photo? Or that you wanted your son to have extra time at lacrosse because that’s the only sport he likes…and now he wants to play tennis and take an art class in the fall? Or you were so worried that your daughter was sending home letters that she was so homesick and last you saw, she was on stage singing her heart out and wrote that camp is amazing. Or you wanted to send up special food because your son only eats bagels at home…and now he is insisting you make chicken patties as his homecoming meal!?

This is the magic of camp…kids discovering new things about themselves. Making mature observations and choices about friendships without their parents’ influence. You can only imagine how far they have come! But I applaud you for how far you have come too! While they were coping with feelings of homesickness, you were coping with feelings of ‘childsickness’. When you get your Child 2.0 back home with you, will you let them tumble, but not fall? Will you be the safety net but not the harness? Will you let them be okay in their own hands? In the past 2 months, you have done these things by sending them to camp. You should be proud of them. And proud of yourself.

Thank you again for the incredible honor it is to be your child’s Camp Director with my husband Mitch. We take being Camp Parents and your parenting partners very seriously. Please keep us posted in the off-season about their successes, accomplishments and achievements no matter how big or small. We share your joy in their growth and look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines, until June 2014 when we get a front row seat!

Enjoy the week!

Stephanie