Happy Holidays Gift of Camp

If you’re a parent like me, you’ve potentially got one kid making Google slide presentations about everything she wants for the holidays and another who won’t take the time to look and tell, so you’ve gotta figure it out for yourself (and for the grandparents and aunts and uncles who are asking). Another big part of the holiday gifting equation is balancing what kids want and need, with what you can afford. Especially if it’s splurging for a “big ticket” item – you want to know that it’s long-lasting, high-quality, and worth it. Enter: camp! 

While summer camp is six months away, it’s not a quickie impulse buy that parents decide on a whim. Choosing to send your child/ren to overnight summer camp is a big decision and a big purchase, so you want to do it right so kids are happy and thrive! Thousands of families across the US and many abroad, too, will give the gift of Maine Camps to their kids and with good reason. It is probably the single-most, long-lasting, beneficial gift a parent or grandparent can give their child. It’s a huge stepping stone toward kids growing confidence and independence that takes them through their lives to college and careers beyond.

Many children will start attending camp at age 7 or 8 and grow up summer after summer at a Maine Camp. It’s wonderful for kids to get quality time in the beautiful Maine outdoors where they enjoy daily waterfront activity on big natural lakes. They learn to sail, waterski, paddle board, canoe, and swim. And, away from their tech devices, kids really connect with nature and with their peers. They get to spend the summer with having fun with so many children who become their lifelong friends. Campers enjoy land and water sports, arts, nature, special events, and memorable trips and traditions. Campers are well supervised and receive incredible instruction in activities and life skills like making their bed, navigating social situations, and building resilience.

So how can the “gift of camp” be represented at the holidays? Once parents decide which camp is best for their child (we recommend using resources like our Select-A-Camp Tool and free, personalized guidance from our Campcierge™), they can gift gear that will be useful at camp. Families can buy sports equipment, logo clothing, comfy flannel PJ pants, stationery, bedding, and some fun knickknacks (ranging from headlamps to spirit gear like tutus, decorative bandanas, and cool arm sleeves) from camp outfitters such as Amerasport, Bunkline Outfitter, and The Camp Spot. They can also gift a personalized chair from Crazy Creek, which is great at camp around the campfire. 

And, if you want a few ideas for a taste of Maine, here are a few of our favorites:

• Coastal Maine Popcorn Company - https://www.coastalmainepopcorn.com
• Cool As a Moose fun apparel - https://coolasamoose.com
• Fiore Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars - https://www.fioreoliveoils.com
• Luke’s Lobster lobster roll kits - https://lukeslobster.com
• Wicked Whoopies - https://www.wickedwhoopies.com
• Wilbur’s of Maine handcrafted chocolates - https://www.wilburs.com

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.