Summer Camp Means Summer Fun in Northeast PA

By Wendy Komancheck

Summer’s coming when parents and kids alike think about freedom, warm weather, and fun outside. For many, summer also means a week away at camp. Fortunately, there are a plethora of local camps from which to choose – educational, nature, special needs, or religious camps. Additionally, families have the choice of part-time day camps, day camps with an overnight option, or a week at an overnight camp.

The American Camp Association (ACA), CampParents.org, suggests that you consider the following tips when choosing a camp for your child:

•    “Decide if your child is ready for camp.” Part of the decision process includes your child’s age; your child’s interest in camp; your child’s experiences away from home; what your child’s expectations are of her camp experience; and if you and your child can positively discuss camp.
•    “A camp for every child—the perfect fit. Camp can last for just a few days or stretch all summer long. It’s well worth the trouble to investigate the variety of choices offered by camps before your child packs a backpack,” says the ACA.
•    According to the ACA, part of choosing that perfect camp includes whether you send your child to a camp near or far from home; a short-or long-term session; single gender or co-ed camps; and a traditional, specialty, or special needs camp.

Three Northeast PA camps that range from overnight, specialty, and educational, discuss objectives to consider before sending your son or daughter to camp this summer.

Luzerne County Community College’s Educational Camps

Luzerne Community College (LCCC), luzerne.edu, in Nanticoke, hosts four Lego Robotics camps; two Aikido Kids’ Summer camps in Shamokin; a Media Madness Summer camp; and the Trailblazers Baseball Camp.  http://www.luzerne.edu/classes/

“Our camps are educational in nature,” explains Christine Donnolo, Associate Dean of Continuing Education at LCCC.

Donnolo notes that LCCC’s camp counselors are experienced in working with children and addressing homesickness, discipline, bullying, safety, or other issues.

When it comes to bringing cell phones, iPods, and other technological toys, Donnolo says that campers can bring them, but will be discouraged from using them. In addition, cell phone usage is limited to emergency situations.

What about parents who want to check in on how their children are doing while at camp? “If it’s an emergency, they can call (their child at camp), and we can get the child. Other than that, we prefer they let the child enjoy the class. When they pick (their children) up (from camp), they can relay the information to them if it’s not an emergency situation,” Donnolo says.

LCCC also strives to accommodate everyone. “We do not discriminate at the college. All children are welcome to attend the camps. If needed, we accommodate children with special needs. We do not have food at the camp—(we’re) half days (camps). They (the campers) can bring whatever they may need if this is a concern,” Donnolo says.

Donnolo also explains the benefits of going to LCCC’s camp. “It’s educational. They meet people other than their normal classmates (from) different parts of Northeastern PA. They have fun and learn new things which they may not have experienced in a normal classroom setting.”

The Lands at Hillside Farms

The Lands at Hillside Farms, thelandsathillsidefarms.org, in Shavertown, offers three summer camp experiences. Seeds and Sprouts is designed for campers in grades Kindergarten through second. Peace and Carrot Grower and Peace and Carrots Farmer serve students entering third through eighth grades.

Andy Loughney, of the Lands, says he doesn’t recommend a base age for starting camp, “So long as campers are interested in having a new experience and are open to whatever may come.”

Camp counselors are trained to handle homesickness, bullying, discipline, and safety. “Parents can help by encouraging independence at home and having times away from their child. Camp counselors will be instructed on how to handle these things and will pass any issues they feel uncomfortable with to a more senior staff member,” Loughney says.

While the camp does not employ a nurse on staff, counselors are trained in CPR and will have a first aid kit present. “Beyond that, we will have emergency contact information on hand and permission to seek greater health care if necessary,” Loughney says.

Since this is a day camp, parents are discouraged from calling during the day. And students are prohibited from bringing their IPods, cell phones, and other electronics to camp. “These are distractions from becoming engaged with each other. Parents will be given instructors’ cell phone numbers so that they may contact camp in an emergency,” Loughney says.

Campers with special needs – food, behavioral, or developmental – are encouraged to come to the Lands. “Special considerations can be made case-by-case. For example, we have an autistic child, who will be coming this year, but only for half days with his father. We do not want to deny the camp experience to anyone. Everything is worth a trial run,” Loughney states.

And speaking about the camp experience, Loughney lists the following benefits of going to summer camp:

1.    Meeting new people
2.    Having new experiences
3.    Having fun
4.    Exposure to other worlds
5.    Important social development, and
6.    Increasing self-esteem

Finally, Loughney advises parents to feel confident that their children will be safe, nurtured, and appreciated at the Lands. He also explains that parents “should look for a camp experience that aligns with their beliefs and values, either through talking to staff, previous attendees, or camp materials that are made available to the public. Parents should discuss camp options with their children.

“Parents can prepare their children by making sure camp is something that the children want to do, and by discussing options for what kind of camp their child might want to go to. Beyond that, children should be encouraged to do what they do best: keep an open mind, explore, and become engaged with their new surroundings. They should also know that they can trust staff and feel comfortable discussing any issues that may arise.”

Camp Orchard Hill

Camp Orchard Hill, camporchardhill.com, in Dallas, is a Christian camp that offers overnight and day camp experiences. Jim Payne, the executive director at COH, doesn’t recommend a set age for sending children to summer camp, but advises parents to base their decision on the individual child. Specifically, “If they have never been away from home, I would not recommend sending them to overnight camp until age ten. We just expanded our day camp age to four, although most campers start at age six.”

When it comes to behavioral and interpersonal issues that may arise, Payne says, “Our camp counselors are trained to deal with all of those issues (bullying, discipline, homesickness, etc.) during an intensive 10-day training program prior to the start of camp. We also have a night where we invite parents to sit on a panel and counselors ask questions on how to properly take care of children. We have found this to be highly beneficial as college-age counselors are not parents and do not think like a parent,” Payne further states.

COH does have a nurse on duty 24/7 while camp is in session. Further, a local doctor is available to treat campers if a more serious illness or injury occurs, and camp nurses “operate under standing orders from that physician,” Payne explains.

Can parents communicate with their son or daughter while away at overnight camp? Payne says that parents may send a one-way email to Bunk 1, which their children can reply to later that day. “We don’t encourage visits since our programs last only one week, but we have a closing program (to which) parents are invited to attend,” Payne says.

Some camps allow children to bring their friends. Other camps frown on this because it may lead to cliques. But COH takes a different stance on the subject. “We encourage children to bring their friends to camp. In fact, we offer a $50 ‘Refer a Friend’ credit for each friend who attends camp for the first time. Camp is all about relationships, and the bonds of friendship are made stronger (at camp). I think it’s easier for campers to adjust to being away from home when they have a friend with them. Campers who don’t come with friends, are grouped together in cabins so they can make friends easier,” Payne says.

But, please leave electronic devices at home. “We believe part of coming to camp is getting away from technology and enjoying the outdoors. Kids don’t go outside and play like I did when I was a child,” Payne says.

Children with special needs are invited to enjoy COH. “We have children who attend camp with dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten-free diets, peanut and nut allergies, and lactose intolerance. We also work with children, who have behavioral issues like ADD, ADHD, and Bipolar. This summer, we’re working with the Luzerne County Down Syndrome Network to provide day camp experiences for children with Down syndrome. I encourage parents to share as much information with camp staff as possible so they can provide the best care possible.”

Children have a myriad of experiences waiting for them at the many summer camps located in the NEPA region. Summer camps allow children to explore their natural world, develop relationships, and create enduring memories.

A member of the North American Agricultural Journalists association, Komancheck writes about agriculture, family, and the green industry from her home near Ephrata, Pa. You can contact her at wendykomancheck@gmail.com.