Camp first, Travel second

As the January cold rolls in, it may feel crazy to start making your summer plans, but it’s never too early to be thinking (and day-dreaming!) about the summer months. Of course, when thinking ahead to summer, it’s natural for adults’ minds to immediately jump to sunny vacations and relaxing with family and friends. And, planning time for your family to be together may feel like the most important thing to nail down.As you think ahead to your summer 2020 travel plans— we encourage families to think first about kids’ camp plans before solidifying other travel plans. If it’s your first time sending your kids to camp, take a look at the camp options, and figure out which camp is the best fit for your kids. Make a list of camps that fit your children’s personalities and interests best, then take a look at the dates that these camps run. Tools like our Select-A-Camp or personalized guidance from our Campcierge™ Laurie can help.Maine camps offer a wide variety of options for dates and sessions ranging from 7 or 8 weeks, to shorter sessions of 2, or 3-to-4 weeks. From your list of camps for consideration, you may be able to determine which dates would align best with your family’s desires to travel or be home together. Considering a family trip after school gets out in June? Then a second-session option beginning in July might be the best fit for your kids. Or, if you’re looking for family time in August before heading back to school, consider picking a 4-week camp beginning in late June! Many families also find that a 7-week camp session gives kids maximum time to enjoy their camp experience while still allowing quality family time before or after camp.If you’re sending your child as a returner to a camp, take a look at the dates that this camp runs, and sign them up! Then, think about what you can plan around these dates. Though jumping on travel plans can be tempting at the beginning of a new year, we recommend discussing camp with your kids and making plans for their Maine Camp Experience before you solidify your travel plans— to make sure they don’t miss out on the energized outdoor fun and opportunities to grow during a summer in Maine. The summer months can undoubtedly be valuable for family time and bonding, but there is nothing that beats the immeasurable value of a Maine Camp Experience. And, when planned right there can be more than enough time for both. Emma, a Maine camp alumna tells us: “In my experience, camp was the first time that I was away from my parents and felt independent. I remember coming home from camp my first summer at age 9, and my parents noted that not only had I grown an inch or two, but I had also grown so much in my ability to try new things, do things on my own, and put myself out there. Maine camps offer the experience to try so many different activities, and I came home having learned to waterski, made my own jewelry in our Silver Shop, and created friendships with kids from all over. While family vacations are some of my fondest memories, I would never give up my seven summers in Maine, and the opportunity to escape home and technology for a few weeks!” So, as you think ahead to this summer’s plans, think first about giving your child the opportunity to grow (while having endless amounts of fun) at a Maine camp — Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.