Summer Camp for Kids

29 Jul 2020

lesadmin

The main aim of many summer camps for kids is cultural, athletic, and educational development. Summer camp surroundings allow children to learn and master new skills. Sending young campers on a summer day camp can leave a lifelong impact on their growth. In this article, we are going to discuss the following.

What to consider in a summer camp for kids in the era of Covid-19
How to enjoy an engaging and successful virtual summer camp
How much does a summer camp for kids cost?
High-quality camp care packages for campers
Exciting STEM Activities for an engaging Summer Camp for Kids Program
A summer camp for kids is a perfect learning opportunity

What to consider in a summer camp for kids in the era of Covid-19

The best summer camps give children a chance to engage in outdoor activities, learn and nurture their skills, and make new friends. Many schools across the world closed during the spring break following the rise of Covid-19 pandemic infections. As normalcy slowly returns, many parents are searching for a camp program to help their kids meet their peers away from home.

However, Covid-19 infections are still on the rise in different parts of the world. As a result, parents are worried about the safety of their children at a sleepaway camp. Let us discuss some of the factors to consider when looking for an overnight camp for your young campers this summer.

Does the Summer Camp have Strategies in Place to Ensure Kids Comply with Coronavirus Safety Measures?

Summer camp for kids should have age-appropriate methods to ensure kids:

Maintain a safe distance from one another
Practice proper hygiene
All kids aged two years and above wear face coverings where possible

Wearing a mask throughout the day can be difficult for kids. Summer camp supervisors should remind them (the young campers) regularly. Staff at the sports camp should also comply with these safety measures. Supervisors should ensure that hand sanitizing and hand washing facilities are readily accessible.

How will Young Campers Move around During the Summer Program?

Camp organizers should keep kids in small groups complete with allocated staff throughout to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Will Activities Be Conducted Outdoors or Indoors?

Having outdoor activities where there is more room to maintain social distance and enjoy fresh air lowers the risk of contracting Covid-19. Still, camp supervisors should have measures in place to prevent the spreading of germs. For example, they can restrict sharing of equipment for performing arts campers. All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after every use.

How will the Summer Camp Monitor Staff and the kids for Sickness?

Enquire from camp directors to understand how they intend to monitor campers and staff for signs of sickness. These measures could include daily temperature checks and evaluation of symptoms. Summer camp supervisors should ensure that staff perform these steps respectfully, safely, and in adherence to privacy laws and the laid down local public health guidelines.

Have the Summer Camp for Kids Staff been Trained to Handle Kids with Special Needs?

Attending camp away from home can be scary for some kids, especially those that have special needs. Some of them are anxious about being in new places and meeting new people. Experts recommend that camp health staff should have specialized training in handling the emotional well-being and overall health of a child.

Camp counselors should have proper training to help campers relax whenever they get stressed. Camp directors should strive to meet the needs of each camper. It is worth mentioning that some kids with special needs require specialized accommodation. These special arrangements help them have a memorable summer camp experience and guarantee safety.

If your kid has special needs, you should discuss it with your private health provider and the camp directors. This way, you will choose a suitable accommodation from the camp options with ease.

What Steps does the Summer Camp Take when Someone Gets Sick?

All basketball camps should have a laid down plan on the measures to take if campers or staff members become sick. The approach should comply with both the WHO and local public health policies and guidelines on responding and reporting suspected Covid-19 cases. Camp directors and supervisors should know where Covid-19 testing centers are and if it is part of the arts camps response arrangement.

How to Enjoy an Engaging and Successful Virtual Summer Camp

One of the most popular public health guidelines of flattening the coronavirus pandemic curve is staying at home. While this is a great plan, it means that enthusiastic campers need alternative ideas to enjoy camp sessions. What a better way to do that than organizing virtual summer camps for kids? Virtual summer camps are becoming popular by the day. Read on to learn how to run one.

Maintain a Simple Virtual Camp Program

Going for field trips may not be possible at the moment. However, this does not mean you cannot have an exciting summer camp experience. Simple game design activities and ideas go a long way in making a virtual summer camp fun for the campers.

Practice if you want to Achieve Perfection

The virtual world is steadily evolving, and there are numerous exciting activities for instructors and campers of different age groups. One of the best methods that instructors can use to acquire a successful instructing approach is to try them. You can organize a virtual summer camp with your kids or friends’ kids. Once the virtual summer camp ends, ask the participants for feedback on what you should change to improve the experience. Camp staff should connect and work together to develop an inventive and engaging approach that works.

Consider Experiences

It is normal to think about a project when it comes to summer camp for kids of a different age group. The idea of a virtual summer camp should not be about completing complex projects. Instead, create an environment where your campers can:

Interact and engage with their peers
Create, exercise their skills, and express themselves
Interact and engage with you

Ensure Activities are Balanced

Maintain a balance between a large group and small group camp activities. Kids get bored fast. One way of keeping them glued to their screens is to keep your performances short and exciting.

A Small Group is Easy to Work with

Experts recommend that every camp supervisor or counselor should handle a group of six campers.

Handling Larger Camp Gatherings

When having activities for large groups of summer camp for kids campers, use polls to make the experience engaging. Surveys are a critical consideration to make when choosing a virtual summer camp conference platform. Shared whiteboards and Q&A chats can be ideal and interactive for large groups.

Choose an Appropriate Virtual Camp Conferencing Platform

Conference platforms are different. While some are perfect for an online summer camp for kids, others are too complex for the kids and instructors to navigate. Choose a conference platform that meets your child’s needs. It should be intuitive without requiring a complicated setup. It should be user-friendly for the instructors and should come with engaging and educational tools. These features can help you run different types of activities.

Embrace Educational Opportunities

A virtual camp has numerous educational benefits for your children, as we shall see below.

There have minimal distractions. Young campers listen and focus more keenly to the instructors

A virtual camp helps kids develop self-expression skills. During the camping period, the kids should explain any problems they encounter to their instructors verbally, and as accurately as possible. These could include problems with their ID tech connection or sound.

It is an ideal way of improving listening skills. Campers soon figure out that they need to listen while another participant speaks and wait for their turn to speak.

How much does a Summer Camp for Kids Cost?

Sending young campers to a summer camp for kids program can be expensive, especially for parents working in the United States. On average, parents in New York City would have to spend $990 per child.

Some parents say they plan to spend more than $2,000 per child for a memorable Manhattan summer camp for kids program. This cost can be high for parents who have more than one child. If you are struggling to find camp options for your kid, you may want to consider nonprofit organizations like YMCA clubs. Many of these offer fun and engaging fine arts for kids in NYC.

High Quality Camp Care Packages for Campers

Once your kids proceed to a summer camp for kids program, you may want to send them a care package. These do not have to be big parcels. Instead, choose a small and simple note, card, or small box of gifts to bring a smile on your child’s face.

Care packages make the kids feel loved and appreciated, especially if they are going for their first summer sleepaway camp. Further, a camp package helps kids beat anxiety and homesickness.

Avoid sending items that will make campers more anxious. Instead, choose something that reminds them to enjoy their visual arts activities at the camp. Some summer camps for kids establishments do not allow parents to send some items. You should read the camp policies to understand what you should or should not send to your child. Here are some tips on things your child will be happy to receive while on camp.

Hilarious Cards

Avoid sentimental love cards as they will only make the kids homesick. Instead, choose hilarious cards that can bring laughter to your kids and their peers. You know your child better. Choose a card that matches their humor expectations.

Glow Sticks

Kids love using flashlights in their sleeping bags. However, they are required to turn off lights a few minutes after retiring to bed. In this case, a glow stick can come in handy, especially for kids who are afraid of the darkness. They can either use them to keep away mosquitoes or light up their lane to the bathroom. Glow sticks are available in various sizes and shapes to appeal to each age group. You can purchase these treasures from your local party accessory supply store.

Some Snacks

Some camps prohibit snacks within the summer camp for kids premises. However, if the camp management allows, choose healthy snacks. You can even prepare them from home.

Small Toys and Games

Some summer camps for kids have a wide range of activities that keep kids engaged. Kids will hardly need toys or even games. However, these can come in handy during the evenings. There are many toy and game options available in the market today, and you can find them at discounted prices. Other gadgets you can include in your camp care package are party noisemakers, stickers, and magnets.

Money

You do not have to send your kids lots of money. One dollar can go a long way to help your kid pay for that afternoon outing activity at the Bronx.

Photos of their Pets

If your kids have a pet, they will be happy to see it and show it off to their new friends.

Disposable Camera

If your kid forgot their high-quality camera, opt to send them a cheap disposable camera for memorable shots. If the summer camp for kids activities involves canoeing and swimming, a cheap underwater disposable camera will be ideal.

Magazine and a Love Note

The aim of sending a camp care package is to make your kid feel loved and appreciated. It should also encourage them to enjoy their summer camp experience. You do not want to make them feel homesick. Your love note should not say more than I love you. If your kid loves reading, then a magazine can go a long way in beating unforeseen low days.

A Welcome Home Card

Just as the summer camp for kids program nears the end, you can send your kids a welcome back home card. Include an invitation to a movie night at the family room or a chicken and pizza picnic at the backyard. Remember to indicate how proud you are of them and that you cannot wait to hear about their experience at the camp.

Exciting STEM Activities for an engaging Summer Camp for Kids Program

Students attending traditional camps often engage in STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math). While kids love these activities, their interest may fade away as they grow older.

As STEM careers form a big part of the present-day economy, you should encourage your kids to engage in STEM activities. Today, being techno-savvy, innovative, and knowing why and how things work is critical.

Finding the ideal STEM projects for your kids can be a difficult task. However, some summer camp programs offer specialized STEM activities and lessons depending on their needs. Here are some STEM-based projects for a summer camp that will help give kids critical life skills.

· Oil Spill

This activity falls under the science and engineering category. It is ideal for kids who are passionate about real issues. The oil spill activity involves mixing water and oil in a container and throwing in some feathers inside.

Give the kids different materials, such as paper towels, sponges, or small spoons. Now have the young campers try to remove the oil from the feathers and water without scooping out too much water.

Let the kids observe the effect of oil on the feathers and how challenging it is to separate it from water. Use this activity to demonstrate the impact of oil spills on the environment. Make this activity easy or difficult, based on the understanding level of the learner. Remember, oil can be messy, and you should exercise caution when dealing with young learners.

· Coding a LEGO Maze

This STEM activity falls under the technology category. It exposes kids to coding basics and also offers ideas on how to scale it down for younger campers. Summer camp for kids supervisors can even make coding a Lego Maze more complex for high school campers.

This activity comes with free to access printable materials like a wide range of instruction cards and mazes. Kids place themselves in the shoes of a user and arrange varying codes to direct their Lego partner through the maze.

Performing this activity enables kids to learn how to assess the aspect of something else and develop a robust knowledge of command codes, looping, and sequence that can help them understand coding basics.

· Cloud in a Jar

This STEM activity falls under science and highlights the water cycle, condensation, and states of matter. To perform the cloud in a jar activity, students will need hairspray and water to showcase the formation of clouds. This activity is simple, and children of different age groups can do it. Supervisors can combine this activity with an explanation of how water cycles operate in the environment. Camp supervisors can even organize an early morning outing on a cloudy or foggy day. They can then perform the activity to help kids understand it better.

Crystal Sun Catchers

Crystal suncatchers is a popular activity that falls under the science category. The ingredients you need are readily available at the grocery store and cheap. Campers will have lots of fun when performing this activity with their peers at the summer camp for kids program. This activity involves creating a suncatcher from crystals. You will need the following materials for this activity.

Epsom salt
Water
Clear plastic lids
Empty jar
Glass measuring cup or bowl
Tray
Fork
Pin, and
String

Method

Measure one cup of Epsom salt and put it in a jar
Heat a cup of water and pour it inside your Epsom salt jar
Stir the mixture for approximately two minutes until the salt dissolves
Place some plastic lids on a flat tray and place them in a sunny place where there are minimal distractions
Pour some of the remaining liquid from the jar in your plastic lids and avoid overfilling
Leave them under the sun. Depending on the amount of fluid you added, the crystallization process may take a few hours.
Your crystal suncatcher will be ready once the liquid has evaporated completely. Kids will be excited to see beautiful crystal designs from the sides of the lids.

· Sticky Note Number Match

The sticky note number match activity falls in the math category. You will need a marker, sticky notes, and a sheet of paper that you will tape to the wall. Camp supervisors can help students arrange this movement-based math activity to help children understand numerical values.

This activity does not involve memorizing a list of numbers. Instead, it allows young campers to search for sticky note numbers and fix them on the wall above a series of dots that match them (numbers). Set up for the sticky note number match activity is easy. Children can do it so long as they have all the materials.

Building a Hand Crank Winch

This STEM activity is ideal for kids who love getting crafty and finding out how things work. The winch is a way of helping campers to understand how to develop great things using simple machines. Young campers in a summer camp for kids will need help to construct the winch. Still, camp supervisors can opt for kid-friendly materials such as a spool of ribbon and cardboard paper towel rolls.

Magnetic Slime

Homemade slime activities are ideal for educators and parents searching for fun and exciting kid-friendly activities. The magnetic slime activity becomes even more fun when kids perform it with their peers in a summer camp for kids program. It involves combining magnets and iron oxide, but getting slime consistency can be challenging. Kids can solve any issues by adding liquid starch or glue. The magnet slime activity is a great conversation starter, and kids will have numerous questions about how magnets operate. Camp supervisors should be prepared to answer all questions.

Build a Balance Scale

Build a balance scale is a STEM activity that falls under the science category. You will need a string, cups, and a plastic hanger. Supervisors can help kids create a hanging balance to help them experiment with weights. Encourage the kids to participate in the activity by asking various questions like “how many Legos does your toy weigh?”

Kids can use the scale to weigh a wide variety of materials regardless of their shape. A homemade balance scale is a tool that kids will enjoy creating both at the summer camp and at home.

A Summer Camp for Kids Program is a Perfect Learning Opportunity

Minecraft helps kids create, promotes critical thinking, and improves visual intelligence. However, it is not the only summer camp activity for kids.

Sending your campers on a summer camp for kids helps children participate in other fun activities. These include rock climbing and horseback riding. Will your child be attending a summer camp program this summer? If they are, ensure the facility has in place strict measures to protect them from contracting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Adam Brook Explains what you can Expect from Les Elfes

22 Jul 2020

lesadmin

If your kids enjoy outdoor activities, then Switzerland is the ideal place to send them this summer. Adam Brook, the COO of Les Elfes, spoke in an interview on World Radio Switzerland, where he gave comprehensive details about Les Elfes.

Understanding Les Elfes

Les Elfes has been operating since 1987. It started with two bedrooms in a rented chalet and ten beds. Today, Les Elfes has 146 beds. While it has evolved over the years, it still offers exceptional services. Whether you want to go for day camps or prefer sleep away summer camps, you will get these services at Les Elfes. Les Elfes camp attracts kids from various parts of the world.

Adam says that up to 95% of kids who visit the Les-Elfes come from both overseas and Switzerland. Day camps can be ideal for local kids. However, if you are sending your kids from overseas, Adam recommends a sleep away camp where they can remain for two or more weeks. Such will allow them sufficient time to enjoy the great outdoor activities that Les Elfes has to offer.

How a standard day at Les Elfes Looks Like

If the kids are camping for two or more weeks, they will need various activities to keep them occupied. According to Adam, the staff at the camp monitors the kids round the clock to guarantee them safety. However, they wake the kids up at 7.30 am and have an hour to prepare before going for breakfast.

Language lessons at the camp start at 9.00 am, and students can choose from the various languages on offer. These are; Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, and English. Classes run for two hours but can also extend to three hours, especially for kids who are interested in intensive lessons.

After the language lessons, kids proceed for lunch from 01.00 pm. The lunch venue depends on the lined up activities for the day. For example, if the kids will be going bird watching, swimming, or even cycling in the afternoon, the camp can organize a picnic lunch.

Other structured outdoor activities that kids can engage in include rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. There is a wide range of water sports activities like banana boating. Afternoon activities end at between 05.00 pm and 05.30 pm in the evening.

A Wide Range of Activities

At Les Elfes, there is a pitch where kids can play football and volleyball. There is also a horse running center onsite. Once they get back to the camp in the evening, some kids prefer relaxing. However, others choose to engage in one of the activities Les Elfes offers before dinner time.

Dinner can be a barbecue in the woods at the camp or some other fun setting. Evening activities begin at 8.00 O’clock before young campers can proceed to sleep. The older campers don’t go to sleep until much later in the evening. Evening activities hardly include watching movies.

The supervisors at Les Elfes try as much as they can to keep the kids away from the screen. Many times campers engage in problem-solving quizzes in a bid to keep them as occupied as possible.

How has Covid-19 Affected Les Elfes?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way Les Elfes operates. In the past, parents dropping their kids would remain at the camp mingling for long periods. Currently, Adam says they are limiting the number of people visiting the camp.

Everyone has to produce a medical certificate and get checked before they are allowed in. There is a temperature monitoring machine at the reception. Kids and staff members have their temperatures taken and recorded every single day.

Adam says the camp has always had strict hygiene practices from the beginning. However, they are providing hand sanitizers for every child and ensuring they understand how to use them. Cleaning staff will go to every room daily to disinfect everything thoroughly. Sitting arrangement during meal times has also changed to observe laid down social distancing guidelines.

Abiding by social distancing rules during activities can be a difficult task, especially when dealing with kids. However, the camp organizers strive to ensure that kids are safe.

Les Elfes will make Your Kids Summer Memorable

Located in Verbier, Les Elfes is a must-visit summer camp. Book your kid a slot today to ensure they do not miss out on the fun.

Summer Camp Programme: Understanding Fun and Exciting Activities in Switzerland for UK Residents

15 Jul 2020

lesadmin

Many school children look forward to summer. During this time, schools are closed which means students can spend more time with their peers within a less controlled environment. Further, this is the right moment for kids to sample a summer camp programme depending on their preferences.

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries that children from the UK can visit during their summer break. In this article we shall discuss:

Differences between the weather in the UK and that in Switzerland
Language differences in Switzerland and the UK, and
Fun summer camp programme activities in Switzerland for British nationals

What’s the Climate Like in the UK as Compared to Switzerland?

Switzerland usually experiences moderate weather with no extreme humidity, cold, or heat. Temperature between July and August range from 18 to 28 °C. Temperatures between January and February range from -2 to 7 °C. Daytime temperatures in the country in spring and autumn range between 8 to 15 °C.

The climate in the UK on the other hand is temperate. This means the country experiences wet and cool winters and wet and warm summers. London, the capital city of England that lies in the south-eastern part of the UK experiences dry and warm summers and dry and cold winters.

Language Differences between the UK and Switzerland

English is generally spoken in most parts of the UK. Still, there are other native official languages such as Scots and Gaelic spoken in Switzerland, and Welsh spoken in wales.

In Switzerland however, there are four national languages. These are French, German, Romansh, and Italian. This information shouldn’t worry you if you’re planning to send your child to Switzerland for a summer camp programme.

While some summer camps are located in foreign language speaking regions, English is the official language. For instance, Verbier lies in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. This means that French is generally spoken in and out of the Les Elfes summer camp. However, considering that it’s an international camp, English is the official language used here.

The best way to travel from the UK to Switzerland is by rail and the journey takes around 2 hours 15 minutes.

Exciting Activities that Kids from the UK will enjoy in Switzerland

There’s a designated summer camp programme in Switzerland that kids from the UK will enjoy. These activities are ideal for kids aged between 6 and 8 years. The programme is designed to last 14 days.

Campers will have a chance to participate in different activities, as well as learn and enhance their skills. The Les Elfes summer camp programme is structured to ensure that children from diverse backgrounds and cultures live together in harmony.

Further, this programme aims to cater to the developmental needs of young children. What does the programme entail? Let’s discuss this below.

The General Camp Plan

This is an introductory programme where campers are familiarized with general camp activities, life, skills, and adventures. For many children, this is usually their first time being away from home. Some of them will be spending time with other kids from different parts of the world for the first time.

Counselors at the Les Elfes camp are tasked with guiding the kids to help them accept and understand each other. The Les Elfes summer camp programme exposes campers to various daytime fun activities such as swimming, land sports, and archery.

During the evening the campers participate in various exciting activities such as dancing, scavenger hunts, and talent shows. They also roast marshmallows over an open campfire as they share stories about their culture.

Canoeing and Hiking

This summer camp programme advances after the personal growth and skill mentorship programme offered at the general camp plan. Here, campers are encouraged to stick to guidance provided by their supervisors. They are also encouraged to embrace teamwork while exploring by boat or hiking.

This summer camp programme is designed to improve the camper’s athletic, outdoor, and social skills. These activities are specially designed to help participants develop coping skills and self-confidence. There are designated community workers at the camp. They divide the children into smaller groups of 10 to maximize their experience.

Having the kids in small groups is a great way of having participants encourage each other to believe in their abilities. Campers who complete the canoeing and hiking summer camp programme display confidence and display anticipation to beat new challenges.

Leadership Training

This is a summer camp programme that aims to expand a camper’s skills, self-awareness, and knowledge. Participants are taken through progressive workshops and fun activities structured to help them make informed decisions about matters affecting their lives.

The programme covers safe and compelling communication, health and nutrition, drug awareness, and conflict resolution. Campers in the leadership summer camp programme are tasked with planning special events for young campers.

Training with Counselors

To participate in this programme, campers need to have completed the leadership training, and canoeing and hiking plan. The programme relies on skills gained in previous programmes to gauge a camper’s ability. Counselors at the camp are tasked with providing a fun, safe, and refined environment for the campers.

Other activities that are part of this programme include:

Hanging Hoop Target

This summer camp programme activity is similar to the bean bag toss even though it’s more advanced. Children of all skill levels can play hanging hoop target. It’s also convenient and you can hang it outside on anything such as a ladder or even fence. You can also play the game with any object. These can be yarn balls or basketballs.

Just like a bean bag toss, players attempt to pass a ball through any of the three huge holes from a designated distance. Players earn a title such as “All-star” or points depending on the hole they pass the ball through.

Supervisors can change various elements of this activity such as the type of throw and distance. These make the game reusable and exciting.

Rubber and Beanbag Animals

Beanbag animals can transform any activity from boring to fun and exciting. Animals fascinate children of different ages. A pack of rubber frogs or ducks can be all you need to bring back the fun.

Rubber chickens can be incorporated in a game and used for complex throwing and catching games. They can also be used as simple hot potatoes. To make this activity more fun supervisors at the camp can let the children name their animals accordingly.

Rubber and beanbag animals are cost-effective and you can purchase them in large quantities. This way, there will be enough animals for everyone.

Soccer Golf

Today, both adults and children love playing soccer. In this case, supervisors at the camp assume the part of a coach while the students become the players. The game is similar to mini-golf. However, students use soccer balls and exclusive flags and holes where the ball can rest in once they get inside the hole.

To play this game, children can be arranged in large teams or pairs with the hole being some distance away. You can use this concept for disc golf if the kids are interested. This is a fun outdoor activity that both adults and children can indulge in.

How is the Summer Camp Programme Schedule Like?

Campers wake up between 0730hrs and 0800hrs. Various activities are planned for the morning session after breakfast. The remaining daytime activities take place in the afternoon after lunch.

Campers are allowed an hour’s rest after lunch meals before embarking on the afternoon session. In the evening, campers can converge around the campfire and share interesting stories about their countries of origin. This is also the right moment for the kids to bond and make new friends.

Three delicious and nutrition-rich meals are served every day while a snack is offered every evening. Campers go to sleep at 2100hrs.

Finally

A summer camp programme in Switzerland is something your kids shouldn’t miss this coming summer camp season.

Make a Fun Summer Camp Schedule

08 Jul 2020

lesadmin

A good summer camp schedule can attract more campers and also determine the outcome of a camping trip.

Incorporating Activities in the Schedule

Having the ultimate camping location is critical when it comes to maximizing camper’s experience. You also need the best theme for the summer camp vacation if you want participants to make the most out of it. If you lack a compelling summer camp activity schedule your planning efforts become futile.

There are numerous summer camp activities you can include in your summer camp plan. Remember the activities you choose play a big role in determining whether the campers will enjoy the experience.

Your activity scheduling strategy is what helps you carve a niche for yourself in the industry. To achieve success, you should first list down the activities you plan to include in the camping session.

From there, you’ll need to invest more time in scheduling the activities accordingly. There are various factors to consider when creating a summer camp schedule of activities. Remember, you should focus on ensuring that campers are happy and not just bored and drained.

The integration of activities and timing for a week or day should be appropriately planned. Are you planning a summer camp trip? Are you struggling with creating an adequate summer camp schedule? Here are tips to help you do it like a professional.

Be Organized

A qualified camp coordinator is one who displays a sense of organization when developing a summer camp schedule. One way of showing organization is by having the right tools for the task. These include journals, papers, pens, online notes, and diaries.

You need to prepare all the tools necessary for note taking. Avoid relying on mental notes because you’ll end up forgetting vital information. Some organizers opt to use schedule templates that are readily available online. While these will make your work easier, you may have to customize them to meet the individual needs of the campers.

Ensure Your Schedule is All-Inclusive and Engaging

An engaging summer camp schedule keeps campers stimulated and excited throughout the day. Your schedule should incorporate physically, mentally, and emotionally stimulating activities. This will ensure that campers get the ultimate positive effect. Children can follow the timeline to engage in and discover different things within a day.

Have a Timeline in Your Schedule

Create a timeline depending on the activities you plan to have in your schedule. Your timeline should have a starting time, activity time, time for refreshments, break time, and activity completion time.

Ensure your timeline covers everything that you have planned for the day. Assign sufficient time for each activity and create some allowance for last-minute changes, arising issues, or delays. The timeline should be flexible to guarantee effectiveness.

Ensure Your Summer Camp Schedule has a Good Connection and Flow

Some summer camps only focus on a single activity which means that campers have to contend with the same. Ensure the camp you choose provides a variety of activities that match its theme. There has to be continuity when it comes to the activities provided to ensure that children get the best out of the trip.

Spread the activities evenly over the days and incorporate something new every day. This way, children will be curious and excited to find out what’s planned for subsequent days. At Les Elfes, there are numerous summer camp activities to keep campers excited both during the day and in the evening.

Always have a Plan B

It’s important to understand that things don’t always work according to plan. Disruptions, changes, or issues that crop up at the last minute can interfere with your original schedule. In this case, lacking a plan B can disrupt the entire trip. An alternative plan will come in handy to ensure campers don’t waste their camping days or time. This will also boost your reputation as the camp schedule coordinator.

Include Free Days in Your Summer Camp Schedule

An effective schedule should have no activity days where children can be free to engage in an activity of their choice. They could take this time to make friends or bond with their newly found peers. Children can also write down their camping experience in their journals. They could even focus on learning each other’s cultures. Regardless of what they choose to do supervisors should monitor them accordingly.

Check what Your Competitors are doing

The camping industry is fast becoming highly competitive and this means you have to work extra harder to stay ahead of your competitors. What a better way of doing so than checking what your competitors are already doing. Always conduct research and this will help you create the best summer camp schedule for your campers.

Use the statistics you acquire from your research to learn and understand how you can create a better schedule. Establish what can work depending on the camper’s individual needs, and what won’t work. While you may have your ideas, researching and referring to what other players in the industry are doing helps you avoid mistakes.

Create a Balance

Have an entire week’s plan but distribute activities per day. This way the kids the schedule won’t be overwhelming to the kids. What’s more, you’ll have an easy time making changes on the schedule should anything pop up midweek.

Remember, children will get exhausted in between activities. Consider including snack breaks on your summer camp schedule. Ensure your list of activities has a good balance of field trips and in-house tasks. For instance, you can allow the campers some time to walk around the camping destination. This will help them discover more information about the location such as its history and culture.

Finally

Whether you’re planning an overnight or day summer camp, having a schedule of events is critical. With a well-organized summer camp activity schedule, parents will beware of what their kids will be doing at specific times. It will also help the kids understand the activities they’ll be engaging in for the day.

To make the entire camping experience fun and exciting, always hand over plans the day before. This way, campers will be ready for the activities of the day on time. Sign up today to find out more about summer camps.

Summer Camp 2020: Understanding the Basics

01 Jul 2020

lesadmin

Summers come with lots of excitement. What with schools out and children having enough time to rest? However, this excitement is often short-lived as children start getting bored of watching the television or using their mobile gadgets.

This is where summer camps come in. Not only are they fun, but summer camp 2020 programs can be highly beneficial to your kids. Join us in this comprehensive post as we discuss the following.

How to choose the best summer camp for your kids
Benefits for Students of a Summer Camp 2020 Program
The best way to handle different cultures
How to prepare children for summer camp
CDC summer camp 2020 guidelines

Choosing the Best Summer Camp

The growing popularity of summer camping has led to an influx of camps. While you can be guaranteed of getting a facility that best meets your child’s needs, choosing the right camp can be difficult. Here are some tips to ease the summer camp selection process.

Benefits for Students of a Summer Camp 2020 Program

Is your child interested in outdoor sports? Perhaps they need motivation to engage in other extra-curricular activities. A summer camp 2020 program could be all they need. Here’s how students will benefit from participating in a summer camp.

· Summer Camps Helps Students Develop Unique Interests

Today, many schools focus on developing kids academically and forget that kids also need to engage in extracurricular activities. Only a few schools today offer archery, design classes, or even entrepreneurship.

The good news is that you can find all these in various summer camps in Europe. This means if your child has shown any interest in non-academic subjects or even sports they can nurture their interests in a summer camp.

Various organizations such as robotics and sports clubs today have collaborated with schools to offer after-school lessons. However, these don’t necessarily create the perfect environment to concentrate.

What’s more, doing so would burden students who already have to deal with homework and preparing for examinations. In this case, a summer camp offers the right surrounding for your child to pursue other interests.

Helps Students make New Friends

Summer camp offers your child many activities to choose from. They also get a chance to interact with other students from various parts of the world and make lasting friendships. When students interact with like-minded peers they can develop friendships with ease founded on similar interests.

In the end, these relationships can lead to more collaboration in the future. This is especially true today because people can still connect and network regardless of where they come from. Such collaborations could even lead to the formation of new businesses.

A Summer Camp 2020 Program Allows Students to Focus on Developing New Skills

While some schools offer a wide variety of activities, summer camp provides the ultimate environment for kids to delve deeper. Students will have an entire week just to focus on the things they love.

Does your child want to learn a unique sport such as Lacrosse? Perhaps they want to delve into the world of coding. Regardless of their interests, summer camp is the way to go. During summer camp children get a chance to leave their comfort zones and take on risks. Further, they can gain new skills without the fear of failure.

Camps help Stimulate Mental and Physical Activity

Are you worried that your children aren’t exercising enough? If you are, then sending them to a boys and girls summer camp will help keep your children active. Instead of spending time on their gadgets playing games, camp stimulates their thinking. In the end they’ll start focusing on developing the games rather than just playing.

Summer Camp Promotes Empowerment and Independence

Every parent wants to think that their children are independent. However, the best test for their independence comes with allowing them time on their own. Without their parents around they’ll have no option but to make their own decisions.

Whether it’s about making their beds, brushing their teeth, or even handling time management, this will be a learning opportunity. Camp gives children a chance to make decisions on their own.

In the process they end up learning and discovering more about themselves. Further, they get to rely on their peers for support whenever the need arises. Being away from home means the children will have to be responsible enough to choose right from wrong.

Camps Promote Confidence

Every activity and growth comes with challenges and successes. Summer camps expose your child to new activities they probably haven’t heard about before. Sometimes these activities will be a continuation of what they are already familiar with.

For example, assuming that the children have played basketball before, but they’ve never participated in a competition. By representing their group in a competition at the camp, they’ll become more confident. At the end of the camping trip they’ll be confident enough to play on their school’s basketball team. This could pave the way for their successful basketball careers in the future.

Camps help Students Exercise Creativity

Unlike in a classroom setting where students are afraid of failing, camps provide an ample and unrestricted environment for students to excel. The fact that there is no grading encourages students to be themselves. Creativity in children and adults alike thrives where there’s freedom of expression and little judgment.

Camps Develop General Resilience

All the aforementioned benefits are critical to your child’s development as they transition from being children to considerate, determined, and capable adults.

Camps Encourages Students to be Grateful

Being away from home helps children appreciate their parents and siblings. They’ll also learn how to be thankful for things they didn’t have at the camping facility. These include a home-cooked meal, their toys, and pets.

Helps them Appreciate the Outdoors

One of the main characteristics of all summer camps is the chance to be outdoors nearly all the time. Even when camping in urban summer camps, children will have access to exciting outdoor activities and field trips. This type of exposure enables children to love and uniquely appreciate nature. Nature appreciation is a critical component to instill in children from an early age.

How to Deal with Cultural Differences while on Summer Camp

Summer camps in Verbier are not only diverse, but they also employ staff from various parts of the world. Further, campers visit Les Elfes from across the globe. As a result, effective interaction and communication with each other become necessary.

Learning the basic aspects of other cultures helps you avoid misunderstandings or even hurting others involuntarily. Here are some tips to help campers interact with one another peacefully.

Effective Communication

Communicating with people who have the least idea about cultural differences can be a difficult task. For instance, a simple smile or even nod of the head can be portrayed differently from what you meant.

In some cultures, a smile depicts a range of emotions and not only pleasure or even happiness as is the case in the USA. Take Japan, for instance, people smile when they are confused, angry, sad, and happy. Asians, just like the Japanese smile to illustrate frustration, confusion, anger, and disagreement.

Some people from Asia and Japan hardly smile for official photos. According to them, these are serious occasions that should be treated with the seriousness they deserve. They believe that smiling would make the occasions appear to be less important.

Eye contact is perceived differently in various parts of the globe as well. For instance, if you notice a staff member avoiding eye contact when you speak you shouldn’t take offense. People from some cultures especially Latin Americans and Asians avoid direct contact to show respect.

Time and Names

People in some regions such as the USA usually call others by their names. This however, doesn’t happen for all cultures. Here, summer camp 2020 program supervisors will have to offer guidelines on how campers should address the staff or one another.

Further, the children should learn how to address their peers by their names. They can even discuss what each other’s names mean and the culture behind it. Even when campers have difficulties pronouncing each other’s names, it’s important to keep on practicing their pronunciation until they master it.

Beating Language Barriers

Language differences make communication hard. However, you can still communicate effectively with a little creativity. For example, talk clearly and slowly. Restrain yourself from shouting at people if they don’t seem to understand what you’re saying.

Find a different way of communicating or repeat what you said more slowly. Further, you want to avoid using common idioms and slang as much as possible. These can trigger confusion among non-native English speaking individuals. Otherwise, chances are that a big percentage of the people you speak with won’t have an idea of what you keep on mentioning.

Encourage your children to learn some common phrases in other languages from their fellow campers. They should also try and teach their friends some phrases in their language. This will not only help them connect better, but it plays a huge role in helping them understand other cultures. Always remember, what seems normal to you may be different to people from other cultures.

For instance, some cultures can’t decline a request, and others will give an affirmative answer when what they mean is no. This is where supervisors at the camp come in handy. They’ll brief the children to create an ample and accommodating environment for everyone.

Dining and Food

When and what people eat varies across the globe. In some cultures, people eat the main meal at midday and enjoy a light meal in the evening. Some conventional summer camp 2020 trips may seem different to international staff and campers. For instance, eating watermelon and spitting the seeds, or serving corn with the cob, may raise eyebrows among international students.

You may want to know that in some countries corn with the cob is usually fed on animals. When faced with such a scenario, it’s always good to explain some foods and the culture behind them. This will help you understand why some people never eat what to you is a favorite meal.

Campers can also discuss common foods in their countries during their free time or in the evening by the campfire. Camp supervisors can even organize a special evening where students feed on food from a certain country. Campers from that specific country can then explain it to their peers.

Some cultures don’t accept food when it’s offered for the first time. Rather than giving up on them, you should try offering the food a second and even a third time until everybody has had their share. If some campers are from Saudi Arabia or Asia you may notice that they’ll be overly noisy when eating.

This habit may be particularly annoying to a big percentage of students from other parts of the world. However, they only do so not because they are bad-mannered but as a sign of appreciation. Rather than getting annoyed, other campers can seek clarification just to understand the origin of the culture.

Learning about, and respecting other people’s cultural differences helps create an ample environment for seamless interactions. By adopting an open and objective mind, both campers and camp staff gain from the international influence a summer camp 2020 program creates.

Preparing your children for summer camp

Whether you plan on sending your kids for an overnight or day camp, preparation is critical to ensure they have a fulfilling experience. Use these tips to ease the process.

Develop Practical and Positive Expectations for the Summer Camp

Before you can send your child to summer camp it’s important to review available offers. This will help the children understand what to expect from the experience. Involve them in the preparation process and help them set practical goals on what they want to achieve from the experience.

For instance, assuming they plan to invest more time in engaging in their favorite activity such as playing basketball. At the end of the camping experience they’ll have enhanced their skill level.

However, they may not achieve this from a short term summer camping trip. In this case, you’ll need to plan for a long-term camping trip to help them get the most out of the experience. At the end of the trip both you and your child will enjoy the outcome.

Encourage them to Engage in new Interests

Summer camp gives children an opportunity to discover and engage in new interests such as the arts, sports, and crucial skill-developing activities. Is your child a technology or sporting enthusiast? If they are, a summer camp 2020 vacation is an ideal to: try new skills, take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them without worrying about grades.

Within an open and supportive environment, children will get the encouragement to experiment. This develops confidence and resilience from an early age.

Organize a Drill before the Actual Summer Camp

Are your children attending a day or week-long summer camp? Conducting a drill is one of the ways to help them get an idea of what to expect. Let them understand and master the camp routine. For example, ensure they understand when they’ll wake up in the morning and what will be required of them then.

Review and have them understand what they’ll need to carry along with them each day. You’ll also want to ensure that they understand how to arrange their summer camp 2020 essentials to facilitate easy access. If your child will be attending an overnight camp for the first time you’ll need to ensure they’re well prepared.

Start by sending them on sleepovers with friends and family and be on the lookout for how they cope. This is a great way of gauging your child’s preparedness for being away from home. Children who cope easily with different summer camp setups are usually better prepared academically.

Ensure they Understand Safety Skills at Summer Camp

Will your child be attending a day, overnight, or a long term summer camp experience? Make sure you teach them age-appropriate self-care, and safety techniques. For instance, if they will be participating in sports encourage them to stay hydrated.

You can successfully achieve this by providing them with attractive child-friendly water bottles. This way, they won’t forget to drink their water. Include enough sunscreen in their packages to use during outdoor activities.

Is your child a poor feeder at home? If they are you’ll want to discuss it with them in advance. Let them understand the importance of eating well-balanced meals to maintain their energy levels while camping.

Some studies show that poor feeders will eat better when in the company of their peers. If your child is a poor or picky eater, perhaps all you need to change their ways is send them to summer camp.

Even though reputable summer camps will have basic first aid tools, packing a personal first aid kit ensures children are ready for anything.

Have a Communication Strategy

If your child will be attending day camp, create time for them to share what they learned and their overall experience about the camp.

Communication for kids attending overnight camps can be difficult especially because many facilities don’t allow the use of phones. However, you can still work out a way through which they can share their lessons and experiences as well.

A good way of doing so is getting them a diary and pens. Let them document everything at the end of each day that they’ll be at the camp. You can have one of the supervisors send these to you. Better still, you can evaluate your child’s feedback once they get back from the trip.

CDC Summer Camp 2020 Guidelines

The CDC has released guidelines that camp administrators should adhere to so as to prevent infections. Some of these measures include:

Staying at home as much as possible
Thorough and regular hand washing practices
proper respiratory hygiene
Regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces
Proper ventilation
Limit camp attendance to campers and staff who live within the geographical area
Add physical barriers between beds and bathroom sinks
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and
Maintaining social and physical distance

Finally

As much as you’d want to keep the communication alive, sometimes there could be limitations. Rather than getting worried, it’s good to believe that the kids are in good hands and they’ll be fine at the end. This gives you peace of mind and also allows the children an opportunity to discover themselves and learn to be independent.

Enroll your child for summer camp 2020 program today and allow them to experience the outdoors away from home.