EBR Camps Blog

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Good Morning from Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge! Check Out This Video Message from our Program Director Scott!

The Equinunk/Blue Ridge Team is moving up to camp this weekend and will be in the CECBR Summer Office on Monday June 13th, 2011.

Advice from camp experts:

Be positive.
Avoid saying, “I’m really going to miss you,” says Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association. “The child doesn’t need to walk off with that burden. Instead, say, ‘I’m going to be so excited to hear about your camping experiences.“ If you have anxiety, Smith says, tell your friend or your spouse, not your child.

Be confident in your child’s ability.
Some parents send a child off with the warning, “If you’re unhappy, you call me,” Smith says. That sets up a negative expectation. It’s natural to want to be protective, but “one of a parent’s jobs is to increase a child’s independence.”

Be reassuring.
“If there are problems at school, parents tend to get involved,” but that doesn’t happen at camp, says author Bob Ditter, a child and family therapist in Boston and specialist on kids and camping. Before camp begins, he suggests telling children that “we’re not going to be there, but your camp counselor will be there, so if you’re having trouble fitting in, talk to your counselor.’’ Homesickness is natural, and counselors are well-trained to handle it, Smith says. In the vast majority of cases, it passes quickly.

Let kids know what to expect.
Whether they go to day camp or overnight camp for a week or seven weeks, campers are part of a community, Ditter says, and will be expected to help out. “Kids don’t clean their rooms the way they used to,” he says, “but they do at camp. All camps have kids participate to some extent in cleanup. That’s foreign to a lot of kids, and parents need to prepare them for that.”

Leave the gadgets at home.
Camps usually send lists of what to pack, but in general, Smith says, pack comfortable, broken-in (not new) shoes and clothing, and leave the electronic games, cellphones and other gadgets at home. “There’s a whole generation of parents who are hyper-alert,” connected via text message to their children at all times, she says. Camps offer an unplugged alternative, but many post camp activity photos or videos each day, and will deliver e-mail messages from parents.

These Great Tips Came From A USA Today Article from June 7, 2011

What An Amazing Day At Our New Camper Picnic – Check Out Our New CBR Girls!

What An Amazing Day At Our New Camper Picnic – Check Out Our New CE Boys!

Q: Once my kids get to camp – when will be the next time I hear from them?

A: While you will not have the opportunity to speak to your children until their first phone call of the season, our Group Heads/Directors will be in touch within 24 hours to let you know how your camper(s) are doing. You can always call us if you need to check in, but we want to remind you that often our Senior Staff are on campus with the campers.  If you cannot connect right away, Kevin, Sue, Charlie, Diana and the rest of our GH’s will get back to you as soon as they can.

Q: Should I write a letter before camp starts?

A: Yes! Please remember to send a letter to camp before camp starts and send 5-7 days before the first day of camp (June 26). This way, when your camper arrives he/she will have a letter waiting for them on their beds from their favorite people in the world!

Q: Do you have sports equipment at camp or do we need to pack our kids with everything?

A: We have plenty of sports equipment at camp, though every camper must pack a baseball/softball glove, a tennis racket, and shin guards for soccer. If your camper is an avid hockey or lacrosse player and wants to bring his/her own equipment to camp, that is something we encourage. Rollerblades should be sent for campers who would like to skate at camp. You must also send shin guards, elbow pads , wrist guards and a helmet if they want to skate. We do ask that if you are sending your camper with their own equipment to label EVERYTHING (multiple times) to ensure that whatever you send to camp makes its way back home.

If bringing skating equipment, lax sticks or … We also strongly recommend investing in a nice sized sports duffle bag where all of this equipment can be packed, stored (under the bus on the way to camp and in the appropriate location at camp), and sent back to you. The bag should also be labeled clearly.

Q: What if my camper needs something while at camp (shampoo, soap, stamps etc.)?

A: Your camper will be showering daily and brushing their teeth twice a day – and certainly writing letters several times per week. If your child should run our of something, we will supply him/her with what is needed. If they are doing everything correctly, they are bound to run out of something eventually but there is no need for you to send those items to camp. Our staff will go into town and purchase these items if needed. Let your camper know that if they need something they can always let their counselor or Group Head know and we will take care of it.

Q: What happens if my camper is homesick?

A: Firstly, missing home is not a sickness – at some point or another we all miss the familiarity of home but our tremendous staff is trained to deal with campers “missing home”, but to also be proactive in looking for clear signs of this. Here are a couple of things we recommend before your child even arrives at camp:

Take time to familiarize your camper with what will be happening this summer. Let them know of all the incredible things they will be doing and the amazing people they will get to meet.

Don’t make pick-up deals. Please do not tell your child that you will pick him/her up if they miss home. This only makes the situation worse if your child has a weak moment of missing home and believes that he/she will be picked up.

Q: What precautions do you take for preventing lice at camp? If my child does get lice, what is the protocol?

A: We ask that all families do a Cetaphil treatment on their camper’s hair before camp starts. Please read directions in our Spring Mailing. We check for lice after the children get off the bus, even before they go to their bunks. If lice is found, we do an Ovide treatment. If you would not like for your child to have Ovide used, please let us know when we call to let you know that he/she may have lice. The only other option at camp is to stay in the infirmary for 4-5 days until completely lice free or you may pick up your child from camp.

Q: What if I want to send a package to camp?

A: No packages are allowed to be sent to camp, unless it is a necessity. A necessity can be sent as long as it is cleared with your Group Head or Director before the package is sent.

Q: How often is laundry done at camp?

A: Laundry is done once a week at camp.

Q: How do camper phone calls work?

A: Phone calls are made with the Group Heads standing outside the phone area. If your child cries on the phone, it may only be a reaction to your voice. After he/she gets off the phone the Group Head is there to console him/her in case of tears. Your child will then go on to the rest of the day’s activities. Your child is NOT crying all day and are NOT alone after the phone call. Do not worry. Feel free to call your Group Head to check in, if he/she has not already called you to check in.

Q: What happens if my camper is sick?

A: If your child has a fever, he/she will be staying in the Health Center that night. Not only will a nurse call you to let you know, but you will speak to your child as well. If the fever continues for more than two days, he/she may feel more comfortable at home and may be picked up, but only after discussions with the doctor/camp director. If your child has a belly-ache or decides that he/she needs ice for example…you will not be called for those types of things.  

Q: How does shower time work?

A: Children at camp shower every day! The counselors are outside the showers in case you son/daughter needs help getting the shampoo out, adjusting water temperature or anything else.

Q: Will my camper have a big sister or big buddy?

A: Your daughter or son will get a big sister or big buddy on the first or second night of camp. This person is a role model and someone to give a little extra special attention to your daughter or son. This is a special relationship and is chosen by the Head Counselor, Camp Directors, and Group Heads.

Q: What time is bedtime?

A: Bedtime for “Lower Camp” is anywhere between 9:00-9:30. This does not mean that they are sleeping at this time. They can read in their bed, use their iPods or simply fall asleep at this time. They will be so exhausted form the fresh air and all of the activities that most/all children fall asleep without any problems.  

Q: How many counselors will be in my campers bunk?

A: We have 2-3 counselors for each bunk. We always have a counselor in EACH bunk at night. If that counselor has to take a child to the infirmary then there is always a counselor in the building (remember the bunks are all connected to another bunk). 

Camp Games For A Cause on May 21st in NYC was a HUGE Success. Check Out The Highlights & Thank You To All Who Helped Support The Amazing Cause.

We Are Just 23 Days Away!

Our New Camper Picnic will be taking place on Sunday, June 5th at Camp Jacobson at Robin Hood in Brookville, NY. Here are some additional details for Sunday:

Camp Blue Ridge 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Camp Equinunk 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Click for Details
Click for Directions

Link: New CECBR PICS Are Now On Facebook!

Sheryl, Richie, Adam, Caralyne, & Scott took a trip up to camp and brought back some awesome new photos to share with our extended camp family. Click the above link to explore all of the incredible work under construction over at our Facebook Page! Be Sure To “Like” Them All!