Blog - Summer Camp

The audience was at home, the actors all wore face masks and stood 6 feet apart. This year’s Creative Theater Camp at the South Mountain YMCA in Maplewood looked a little different, but the shows still went on, all in an effort to ensure campers had the best summer experience possible. 

I have been amazed and impressed at how organized and coordinated the Y Summer Day Camp program has been running.

Whether it’s your child’s first sleepaway camping trip or their fourth, but you’ve forgotten what to pack, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is here to help.

For many families though, budgeting for day or sleepaway camp while also planning for expenses like summer vacations and child care is challenging. Sometimes just saving money isn’t enough. 

Here's what it means for a camp to be accredited by the American Camp Association and why it matters. 

To help you decide which summer camp program is the right fit for your family, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges has created a list of questions to ask directors when comparing programs. 

Summer camp is an American tradition, and millions of children attend some form of camp each year. Camp gives children a chance to grow in a multitude of ways, and is a great chance for children to develop life skills that they can practice long after the camp concludes.

For many, summer camp will be filled with new activities in a new environment. Some children handle this fine, while others take time to adjust. So how do you know that your child is ready to experience camp for the first time?

Throughout the winter and spring, families can learn about the variety of summer camps offered at the West Essex YMCA. 

If your child attended camp last year and can’t stop talking about it, or if they want to try out a new camp, reserving a spot early can help ensure they have a great experience at an affordable price for your family.

Let’s face it: Camp life isn’t exactly like home life. So how do you help your camper retain the great habits and skills they’ve developed at camp as they readjust to life at home and school? 

There’s still more summer to come and if you’re rethinking the length of your child's camp experience, here are some reasons to consider extending it. 

Parents can help their kids process their camp experiences by listening to their stories, looking at photos together and asking thoughtful questions. When asking questions, make them specifically about camp. Here are some examples.

It’s normal for kids to feel homesick when they’re going to summer camp, especially if it’s the first time. It’s also normal for parents to worry about their kids while they’re away. Here are some steps families can take to prevent homesickness.

Here’s how camp can help children and teens retain the knowledge and skills they need for school over the summer break.