While getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life is one of the reasons families choose to go camping, for kids – it’s the ultimate adventure. If you are planning a family camping trip this summer, here are some tips that will ensure your vacation is both a safe and fun experience.

1. Pre-camping preparation. If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate all if you comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence.

Another great tip is to practice assembling the tents in your backyard so as to avoid wasting time at the camp site.

2. Selecting a campsite. Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that offer comprehensive information on the area. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well.

Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. Thus, if it rains, your tent and equipment will not become water logged.

3. Make a checklist. This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are:

* Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, barbecue grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice.

* Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary.

* Sleeping bags, first aid kit, flashlights, cell phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rainwear.

For a complete checklist on what to bring on a camping trip, there are many camping websites that offer a myriad of suggestions.

4. When you reach the camp site, choose an area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation.

5. When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sang songs, and told ghost stories; douse the fire before going to bed.

Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping under the stars, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.

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Jolanta Lorenz

Try new things this summer. This voluntary nature of overnight camp makes children more open to new experiences, with personal satisfaction as their motivation. At a good general interest camp, the non-athlete can shine at arts and crafts, woodworking, or dramatic programs, while the athlete can also find many outlets for their skills. Most exciting, campers learn to live together and become friends despite their varied interests.

Practicing both new and old skills on a regular basis, you will see improvement. Novices have chances to learn, while those who are more experienced can improve. Self Esteem is the result of increased skills. Children become more independent and self-reliant at camp with their newfound skills.

Sending your child to camp is giving them an opportunity to try something new. No matter how many after-school programs or lessons a child takes, it’s likely they will never have the opportunity to try all that is offered at summer camp. In a supportive environment, the child can try at something new. The interesting twist to these activities is that, since campers often don’t know anyone else at camp before they go, they are more willing to try activities that their friends at home might not expect them to. The athlete can try out for the camp play, while the artist may dabble in sports. At camp, children can try new things and set their own goals for success.

Though years later, your child may not remember capture the flag games or the words to a camp song, the life lessons learned at camp will remain. At camp, a child learns how to take responsibility. The child, who has never before made a bed, will learn how to smooth out sheets and blankets and tidy up a cubby. Though counselors will remind and encourage, campers quickly take responsibility for personal hygiene, and for more minor health issues, a camper learns to articulate what hurts and how to get help. All of this personal responsibility further fosters a sense of independence and self-esteem. Camp also improves a child’s social skills by making new friends and learning how to reach out to strangers. At camp, children learn to get along with others, all while living together 24 hours a day, learning about courtesy, compromise, teamwork, and respect.

Here is what campers are saying. In a recent survey about their experience at camp, at twenty different accredited by the American camping Association camps. Here’s some of what they said.

Can you think of things you learned and did at camp last summer that helped you in school this year? * I was more confident, wanted to know everything, and was excited to be in school and good grades in 7th grade. (12 year old female) * My experience helped me look at challenging situations differently and instead of giving up, finding a way around them. (14 year old female) * Last summer I learned a lot about how to control my anger. (13 year old female) * I learned how to be on my own without someone with me all the time. (12 year old male) * I learned to have more patience and to appreciate the things I have. (10 year old female) * I feel that I am better at interacting with friends and family. The people skills learned at camp affected me dramatically when I went home. (15 year old male)

If explaining camp to friends, what would you say you learn here? * I learned to listen to what other people say. (10 year old male) * I learned a lot of team work skills. (13 year old female) * You learn how to relate to people on a level deeper than that of school or everyday life because you live together. (14 year old female) * I learn a lot about respect and my real values in life, what they really should be. (14 year old female)

Do you feel differently about yourself when you are at camp? * I feel differently because I feel like I am accomplishing something by being here. (13 year old female) * Yes, because I’m with people my age and people who respect everyone. (11 year old male) * I don’t have to be fake to anyone. Everyone here accepts me as I am and I’m not judged or criticized. (15 year old female)

Given the benefits of a sleep away camp, it seems that all children should enroll. There are camps for almost all children, including those with special needs. Yet, be sure you and your child are ready to leave home and have an overnight experience….if not check out day camp this summer.

Learn more about picking a summer camp at Summer Camp Advice Camp information

To learn more how to select and Summer Camp visit Summer Camp Advice. Kids Camp Information

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J. Lorenz

While raising Teens have a certain challenge, choosing the right Summer Camp Teens may be more complicated than selecting other activities. As a child gets older we see the physical changes more important are the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social changes. We need to meet our child’s needs with the proper program.

Although finding the right summer program for teens is different than finding a program for a nine year old, some of the basics are the same: you still want a safe, secure, and appropriate environment. However, teenagers need and are ready for new challenges and greater independence. As your child matures, you may find that you need to reexamine your choice each year as his interests expand.

All teens are not alike so remember that the needs, interests, and abilities of a thirteen year-old are often very different from that of a seventeen year-old. So, keep in mind your child’s maturity. Supervision in teen programs is often less than for other children programs.

Teens are part kid and part adult. So planning a summer program may be more complex than you think. Because many good programs fill up fast, you will want to try to focus early to avoid disappointment. The best way to start is to sit down and listen to your child. Often you can strengthen your relationship with your teenager. Discuss with your child his interests, concerns, and values. You need to talk with your teen about what each of you wants the summer to be. Look for opportunities for personal growth as well as just getting better in a sport. Be ready for” I don’t want to do anything.”

Their are many teen programs available and its important to try to find the right one. As a parent do not give up right away. Sometimes you have to really look hard to find the right answer. The internet is a very useful tool for this. But it is helpful to know what kind of program you are thinking of. Is it: serving, traveling or adventure or a little of all. One great resource is Summer Camp Advice.

Sometimes, the best ways to meet your goals with your child’s is to piece together the summer with activities. This it is more difficult to figure out; your teen will get a broader experience for your extra work. Rules for the summer are extra important if you decide that your teenager doing local programs for the summer. Expectation, chores, and schedules need to be laid out in advance. This will be especially important if this will be the first summer in years that your youngster is spending at home.

A suggestion is to look at Swift Nature Camp for your Teen next summer. Swift Nature Camp is unique among teen summer camps in that we provide teens a special opportunity to make friends in a relaxed and fun-filled environment, to build self-esteem and independence, and to challenge themselves with new physical and creative activities. We realize teenagers want to do things for themselves and are bored by a “normal” camp. So we provide an Adventure camp program with loads of opportunities cabins often leave camp and go out into the big open wild and see the Apostle Islands, go to the International Wolf Center or find themselves canoeing down the Mississippi River.

Last and most importantly remember youth summers are limited and no adult ever looked back and remember the good old days of sleeping in and watching television.

To learn more how to select and Summer Camp visit Summer Camp Advice. Kids Camp Information

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Lonnie Lorenz

With over 6,000 summer camps in the United States, finding the RIGHT camp can be a difficult task. So start doing your research.

Ideally, you should start searching for a camp at least a full year before you plan to enroll your child. This gives you the chance to visit the camps that you are considering while they are in session. This gives you an opportunity to not only view the camp facilities, but also the campers, giving you a chance to get a feel for the program and its personality. Another bonus, often camps have a discount for enrolling early. Most of us are not that organized so, if you don’t begin your search the summer before, don’t lose hope. You should start by late fall or early winter. Some popular camps fill up quickly and may be full by this time but keep searching; you will find the right program.

The best ways to find camps include: Word of Mouth, Churches or Synagogues, Library, Newspapers & Magazines, Local Camp Fairs and Private Camp Adviser’s. However the most popular theses days are the web. By going to your search engine and typing the summer camp plus the state a huge array of camp listings will show up. You can also get information from camp directories, which have many camps listed and a short overview of each camp. However, one of the best is American Camp Association.

It is important to have a goal in mind and a check list of what you’re looking for in a summer camp experience. With that in hand start your search and use a check list to help narrow down your search. Once you have narrowed your search to four or five possibilities, call or e-mail the camp to ask for information. In addition to printed materials, most private camps also have a promotional video. Understand that these videos are promotional tools, but they will give you a visual image of the camp and the children.

This article was only a beginning for those looking for a wonderful camp experience. See our website at summercampadvice.com to learn so much more.

To learn more on finding the RIGHT summer camp visit http://www.summercampadvice.com

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