When 4 Weeks is Just Right

Choosing a camp involves much more than just choosing a location or even the camp with the perfect activities and feel for your child. Camps also come in different sizes, so to speak; depending on how long their sessions are. Sleepaway camps range from two-week to two-month sessions, and choosing which one is best for your child depends on several factors.

In this post, I’ll take a closer look at four-week camps . First, some reassurance. Campers don’t “get less” because their camp is shorter. The schedules for the day and the special activities are very similar or exactly the same as longer camps. The programs are just as well rounded and varied, and you’ll be amazed at how much swimming, sport, adventure and creative arts can fit into four weeks – and the kids still get a one-hour rest period after lunch! We should all be so lucky!

Most importantly, the camp counselors and staff are as involved, caring and competent as they are for the longer camps. I know that for my children, their camp experiences are flooded with activities, but it’s the people they keep talking about (and talking to!) months later. Lifelong friendships can be forged and nurtured in the shortest of camp experiences.

So which camp for my child?

Take a look back at my earlier blog post, “Is Your Child Ready for Camp?” If you feel that your child is ready for camp, but you’re still feeling a little trepidation, why not try a shorter camp — for many new campers (and their moms), four weeks is the perfect amount of time.

A four-week camp may also be perfect for your family if:

  • You need to fit in camp among other family plans and vacations
  • Your child is nervous about a longer camp but a shorter one gets him or her excited
  • Your child may be ready for more weeks of separation, but you’re not
  • Your child lives out west, where school schedules can make a late-summer 7-week camp out East difficult (my children get out of school at the end of May and start back in the middle of August!)

Camp Laurel South offers two 4-week sessions in a complete traditional co-ed camping experience. What does this mean? Think of every wonderful image you have of summer camp – great times playing sports, spending time in the lake, learning new arts and crafts (friendship bracelets anyone?), going on new and exciting adventures, and, if your child is up for it, they can take guitar lessons and be the next campfire sensation. And it all happens with your new best friends right beside you. With its beautiful location on Crescent Lake in Casco, Maine, Laurel South is able to offer the same kind of dynamic programming that you can find at longer camp sessions. They even have the added bonus of an equestrian program.

Whatever you want your child to get out of camp: tradition, family, spirit, adventure, time in nature, and lots of fun, all can be found inside this four-week camp. Because shorter doesn’t mean skimpier!

Olivia, Guest Blogger

Camp is … just around the corner!

We’re so excited to begin the May countdown to camp.  The staff is hired…the fields are green…the new Tennis Complex is just about finished…and we’re getting ready to start moving beds and cubbies in anticipation of arrival day.  Believe it or not, our first group of “Pre Camp Staff” head to Maine in a couple weeks to work on opening preparations.

Max has been busy in the Gainesville office communicating with the 200 plus counselors and staff members who begin their journey soon from all over the country…and the world…to Casco.  We have counselors coming from more than 50 colleges throughout the United States.

Starting in early June, Laurel South becomes a beehive of activity as staff begin to arrive for departmental training programs. Counselors working in Archery, Equestrian, Waterskiing and Riflery will join us on Crescent Lake to fine tune their skills.  We’ll also be running our lifeguard certification program. In early June, the Adventure Staff (Outdoor Tripping and Ropes) join us for an orientation program with Inner Quest and SOLO Wilderness Expeditions, two groups from Virginia and New Hampshire which have been leading our adventure orientation programs for 15 years!   And a few days before the counselors arrive, the Campus Leaders come to work with me, Dagni, Max and Laz to get everything ready for Staff Orientation

We’ll check in from time to time to keep you updated with news from camp.

In the meantime, start laying out your clothes and gear for Summer 2010.  We’re psyched and can’t wait to see you soon!

As always, Dagni joins me in sending warmest and best regards,

Roger