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Send your child to summer camp and support a worthy cause!

A group of California camps have gotten together to raise money for schools and encourage kids to go to summer camp. Using E-Bay, the new group called Camps For a Cause, will sell sessions at their camps with low reserve prices. Whatever is bid for the camp sessions above the reserve amount will go to the winning bidder’s school. “This is actually a win-win-win situation” said Andrew Townsend, Director of Kennolyn Camps. “The camps can welcome another camper to experience summer camp, the winning bidder gets to send their child on an amazing camp adventure, and the winning bidder’s school gets a nice donation.”  

The traditions and customs of Summer Camp are alive and well at Gold Arrow Camp, Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp, Catalina Island Camp, and Kennolyn Camps but they didn’t want to miss out on the world’s largest online marketplace and the chance to raise money for schools in times of budget cuts and teacher layoffs. “E-Bay makes great sense for us," says Scott Shaffer of Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp. “We are always trying to reach out to potential new campers and find ways to contribute to our community.  Camps For a Cause helps us do both of these things at the same time.”

Bidders may also get a bargain. While the respective camps set each session’s reserve price, some reserves are as low as 30% of the published price. “We hope that people will bid up the items to ensure that the schools get a healthy contribution but someone could get the deal of a lifetime” said Tom Horner, owner of Catalina Island Camps. Steve Monke of Gold Arrow Camps hopes to see this pilot project expand. “Children really need the opportunities that camp offers” he says, “the chance to really connect with people and our natural world is a vital stage in a child’s development and camp allows children to explore these relationships in a fun and caring environment. The chance to get more children involved in camp and help schools is a great idea.”

Interested bidders can find the camp sessions by searching on the camp names within E-bay, by searching for “summer camp,” or by following THIS LINK to Camps for a Cause's current auction listings.

Campers do not need to worry that technology will take over the camp experience. "We will never gather round the glow of a computer to sing camp songs and tell stories," says Townsend. “Camp will always be a human experience, even if we use technology to spread the word about our camps."

Do you love us? Yelp us!

If you haven't heard of Yelp, it's a website where users post their personal reviews on everything from stores to restaurants to tourist attractions and more.

We have an entry there which can be seen by following THIS LINK. So far we only have two user reviews. We'd love to hear from more of you, or more specifically we'd love for more of you to leave your reviews so future Kennolyn Campers and their families, who may search us out on Yelp, can read reviews from actual campers and their parents both past and present.

So what are you waiting for...give us a Yelp!

The Kennolyn Song

In addition to her earlier post, Paula Jenkins of Welcoming Spirit also did a post and added a video of The Kennolyn Song from Aunt Marion's memorial. She made the post as part of her "Friday Music" feature, and since it is once again a Friday I thought it would be appropriate to re-post it here today:

Friday Music: The Kennolyn Song

After introducing you to my experience at summer camp, and my recent journey to the memorial for Aunt Marion of Kennolyn Camp, I thought I'd make my Friday Music this week one of a similarly sentimental nature. Kennolyn was the camp that I attended as a kid, and then later was a counselor at. Like all camps (I imagine), it had its own song, simply titled "The Kennolyn Song."

The camp was founded in 1946, and so some of the traditions and campfire songs hail from that time. Our song was originally known as "The Lollypop Song," and an extra verse was added to it to include the camp's name. One of my all time favorite memories of camp is of Uncle Max leading everyone at campfire. He loved to sing, and often had hand motions that went along with the songs. When he sang this song at campfire, he'd flex his muscles when the "man who made it musta been a champ line" came up.

So here's our song - take a listen:

The Kennolyn Song from Paula on Vimeo.

The lyrics are super simple: K-E-double N-O-L-Y-N spells Kennolyn, Kennolyn That's the only decent kind of camp, camp Man who made it must have been a champ, champ K-E-double N-O-L-Y-N you see, Its a camp in the woods guaranteed to make you good, It's Kennolyn for me And for you, too!

And here are a few more images from the day:

Farm-A-Mia Four

The farm just keeps on growing!

Okay, so it's kind of hard to tell from the long shot. But up close...

...corn as high as your eye! (As long as your eyes are three feet from the ground.)

Attack of the killer tomatoes! "Killer" as in real cool, daddy-o.

Onions so big around you need a chainsaw to chop them down!

And a...flower...which is actually a weed.

The Kennolyn garden is really looking good Mia!

Welcoming Spirit: The Lessons Taught by an Aunt and Uncle

The other day, while searching the internet for summer camp relevant articles, I came across a blog entitled Welcoming Spirit.

The author of Welcoming Spirit, Paula Jenkins, was a previous camper and counselor for Kennolyn Camps. She had written a beautiful blog post after having attended Aunt Marion's memorial. I asked her permission to reprint it here and she happily obliged:

The Lessons Taught by an Aunt and Uncle

by Paula Jenkins via Welcoming Spirit

A couple of weekends ago, my sister, her husband and I went back to summer camp. My sister and I had attended Kennolyn as campers, went through the Camper in Leadership Training program, and went on to be counselors and Directors ourselves. Camp was a life changing event. We learned to be self sufficient. We learned to be away from home for the first time, without family (other than each other). We learned to get in touch with nature, we grew meeting new people. At camp, and in being counselors, we learned lessons that have served us since, that have taught us about being leaders, about love, about friendship, and about living a good life.

Our Mom and Dad first sent me in 1985. I went away for two weeks to Hi-Camp, and had "the time of my life." We both attended, either as campers our counselors through college. My sister met her future husband to be at camp; he was part of a "Camp America" program, coming abroad from England to be a counselor with us. We met a lot of foreign staff, sang many awesome songs (from "Veggie Mite" to "Flower of Scotland").

Throughout our time at camp, the two owners and directors were an ever present force. Uncle Max and Aunt Marion started the camp after he returned from World War II. They had both been teachers, and their dream was to start a summer camp for children. The first summer, in addition to the campers, their nieces and nephews attended camp and it during that first summer that Uncle Max and Aunt Marion's titles were secured. And, it was a life time of loving and welcoming children to summer camp that they earned the role of Aunt and Uncle in the hearts of many.

Uncle Max and Aunt Marion had high standards. From the rules (girls hair had to be up until dinner, you had to have clean hands to get in for any meal, no visible tattoos, no smoking) to expectations, the bar was set very high for those of us who worked at Camp. We had one day off a week, and we got paid very little. Not only did we oversee a cabin, but we taught classes all day - things like archery, rifelry, ropes course, horseback riding.

While we complained and grumbled, we claimed it was like being in forced labor, we loved every minute of it. We were challenged. We had our hands full. We learned diplomacy, how to keep eight kids in line, how to sleep outside in the woods and cook over a fire. I am grateful for the lessons of those years, those wonderful summers.

Aunt Marion passed away in March, and we went up to attend the memorial. Uncle Max had passed away a couple of years ago. The place was packed with former counselors, Directors, campers. All of them there to sing the songs one more time, to remember the lives of two amazing people. And, as Andrew Townsend, a long time employee said "I expect that there was recently a great reunion in the afterlife. Of two long time sweethearts, rejoined. You know that there will be campfires, truths discussed and lives recounted over the dying embers of a campfire, the makings of foil stew, and lots children running around laughing, free and happy. And if that's not heaven, I don't know what is."

Looking back, here are a few classic photos of me during my time at Kennolyn:

My first summer, 1985. I'm second from the left. Imagine how surprised I was when this picture showed up on the cover of the camp yearbook!!

My first year as a counselor, 1990. I'm in the back row, third from the left. The kids in the front look strangely large, don't they?

My last summer, 1997 - back row, I'm the short one. This year I was the Counselor in Training Director. the blond girl in the row ahead of me is my sister!!

Ready for Camp: What Parents Need to Know

In this video, Ready for Camp: Sharing Personal Information About Your Child With Camp Professionals , Bob Ditter speaks directly to parents about the importance of honest communication with camps.

He covers:

Strengthening the partnership between parents and camp professionals

Taking steps to make the adjustment to camp as smooth and successful as possible

Campers on medication at camp, and why it's important to share medication information

Children with ADHD at camp

Working with your physician and camp for the best outcome

Ready for Camp: What Parents Need to Know, with Bob Ditter @ Yahoo! Video

Bob Ditter is a child, adolescent, and family therapist in Boston, Massachusetts.

He consults with youth agencies throughout the United States, including the American Camp Association (ACA), Girl Scouts of the USA, YMCA, Salvation Army, JCCA, and many others.

He has visited over 500 camps in the United States, writes for Camping Magazine, the official publication of ACA, and has authored many books and training videos for camp professionals.

Choosing the Right Summer Camp

 

Tips on Selecting the Right Summer Camp for Your Children from American Camp Association Northern California

Summer camp can have a positive effect on children for the long term. Here are some tips on how to select the "right" camp for your kids.

Research shows that children who go to camp improve socially, physically and emotionally. The summer camp experience can have a long-term positive effect on kids, helping them build the skills necessary to be successful adults.

"Fortunately, there is a camp for every interest, price range and schedule," says Sari Van VanOtegham, president of American Camp Association® (ACA) Northern California. "And camp can provide a summer of growth and fun whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp," she added.

And camp can provide a summer of growth and fun whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp

Yet, with so many camps, how do you select the "right" one for your children?

The ACA Northern California suggests that the first step is to match the camp to your child's interests, needs and maturity level. Include your child in the decision-making process and consider the following:

Does your child have particular interests, such as rock climbing, music or aquatics?

In addition to the traditional offerings, many camps offer a wide variety of activities ranging from karate to circus performing. Consider camps that include your child's special interest in their program mix, or even consider a camp specializing in that activity.

A traditional camp means a wide variety of activities and a chance to try new activities. A specialty camp concentrates on one or two activities, helping the camper increase proficiency in that area, while often offering some traditional camp activities.

Does your child function better in a competitive or a cooperative learning environment? Although, to a large extent, all camps (like the rest of the world) are both, the camp director can tell you which environment predominates.

Where do you want your child to go to camp? A local camp is easier to evaluate and visit, with minimal travel costs and likely contact with local children. Going far away exposes the camper to a different experience, promoting independence.

Is your child shy or outgoing? If extremely shy, perhaps a smaller camp setting would be preferable. Gregarious campers, on the other hand, might enjoy a larger camp setting. Whatever the personality type, however, remember that camps are, by nature, a place where everyone is welcome.

Does your child function better in a controlled or a flexible environment? If the former, look for a camp where most, if not all, activities are scheduled. If the latter, look for one where campers can choose at least some of their daily activities.

Does your child have special physical or mental needs? If so, you might consider a camp where the facilities and programs are geared for children with illnesses or disabilities. Typically the staff understands the campers' challenges and is trained to gear activities to their abilities.

Would your child do better in a co-ed camp or a girls-only / boys-only environment? A single-gender camp means more opportunities to "be yourself" without competing with (or trying to impress) the opposite sex. A co-ed camp more accurately mirrors the everyday world.

How long do you want your child to be at camp? Sessions run anywhere from a few days to eight weeks. A short session gives the first-time or younger camper a chance to "sample" the camp experience. A longer session provides multiple opportunities for learning, progression and enrichment.

Would you like to share the camp experience with your child? If so, consider a family camp.

What is the cost? Is the price all-inclusive or are there charges for "extras" such as transportation, overnights, swimming lessons, horseback riding and field trips?

Day or Resident Camp?

Also consider whether your child would be more comfortable in a day or resident camp.
If considering a residential camp, ask yourself:

How old is my child?
Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended period? Has he or she had positive overnight experiences away from home (visiting relatives or friends, for example)?
What locale do I want to consider (e.g., mountains)?
How rustic do I want the camp to be?
Can I stay in touch with my child during camp? Does the camp allow mail, phone calls or e-mail? Does it have parental-visitation days?
How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?

If you are considering a day camp, ask yourself:

If transportation is offered, where is the closest pick-up location?
Does the camp have an express bus that transports children quickly?
If before- and after-camp care is offered, who is with the children and what activities take place?
Is lunch served or do campers bring their own sack lunches? Are snacks and drinks provided?
Are campers in a group with a counselor all day? Or are the campers free to go from one activity to another with appropriate supervision?
Is an open house offered before camp starts where you can meet your child's counselor and bus driver?
Can you drop by for visits or is there a special parental-visitation day?

The next step in choosing a camp is to research your options. A great place to start is the ACA's online searchable database of ACA-Accredited® camps in California. The information is available at http://www.acanorcal.org. For more information about summer camps in general, visit http://www.CampParents.org and http://www.ACAcamps.org.

American Camp Association

For nearly 100 years, ACA's community of camp professionals has joined together to share knowledge and experience and to promote positive human development by enriching the lives of children, youth, and adults through the camp experience. More than 7,000 individual members belong to the American Camp Association, which is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are more than 2,400 ACA-Accredited® camps throughout the United States, which meet up to 300 health, safety, and programming standards.

Family Camp Fun

Our first Family Camp session for 2009 took place last weekend and it was a blast for everyone involved! Although there was a little rain it didn't slow anything down. There was swimming and ropes and archery and riflery and crafts and hiking and food and fun and so much more!

Take a look at our Flickr page to see all the pictures from Family Camp.

Our second and last Family Camp session for 2009 will take place September 4th - 7th. I know a lot of the families from this last session plan on returning, so be sure to SIGN UP soon so you don't miss out!

Because of Camp...

The American Camp Association has just launched a new campaign entitled "Because of Camp..."

Because of Camp...™

I developed lasting friendships...
I learned self-esteem...
I became a team player...
I learned how to care...
I became a counselor...

We Went to Camp, Shouldn't You?

Emma Roberts, Hill Harper, Lisa Loeb, Kerri Strug, Michael DeLorenzo, Justin Chambers, Paul Adelstein, James Pickens, Blair Underwood, Sharon Lawrence, Frank Sesno, Glynn Turman, Ashlan Gorse, and Lisa Raye share how their lives have changed Because of Camp…™.

Camp provides children with the opportunity to connect with nature, to participate in human powered activities, and to benefit from personal and primary relationships. Because of Camp...™ so much is possible.