Boston Parent March 2024

Bullying Prevention Depends on Parents, Coaches

Gifted Girls Hiding in Plain Sight

How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child

WHICH TYPE OF CAMP WOULD BEST SUIT YOUR CHILD?

SENDING TEENS TO SUMMER CAMP

WHAT DO YOU ENVISION FOR YOUR CHILD’S CAMP EXPERIENCE IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP?

SPECIAL NEEDS

Enjoy the Adventure with Your Child

“We LOVE Tender Loving Care. The teachers are like family. They care for each child like their own family. They are knowledgeable in early childhood education as well as the gentle care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers!!”

Wesley

Ronen

Bahar

Ava

Mahdieh

“Each

is

as an

a

of our family.” “Our team’s attention to detail is uncompromising…”

VOTE for your Favs!

Our 2024 Family Favorite Awards ballot is here!

We need your input! Each year, we poll our readers for their top picks of places to shop, dine and play – everything from preschools and schools to kids’ classes, docs and dentists, camps, museums and attractions and so much more. Head online to www.BostonParents Paper.com to vote for your favorites today. We’ll publish the winners in our annual Family Favorites publication this summer.

2024 Northeast Camp & Summer Program Guide

The 2024 digital edition of Northeast Camp & Summer Program Guide features helpful articles on picking the right camp for your child, specialty programs, preparing for camp and more. Read it on BostonParentsPaper.com —just click on the Magazine tab then on the image of the Northeast Camp & Summer Program Guide.

2024 Virtual Camp & Summer Program Expo Series

No Summer Camp Fairs? No Problem!

Boston Parent offers a virtual Camp Expo Flip Book complete with information and video for over 75 camp and summer programs. This flip book offers the best summer information fill your needs and is updated monthly. Register today to receive the next Camp Expo Flip Book on March 24. To register go to this site: https://bostonparentspaper. com/greater-bostonsummer-camp-expo/

Family F.Y.I. St. Patrick Day Parades

Break out your lucky green shirt and head to one of these St. Patrick’s parades throughout the region.

MARCH 9 • 11AM

Cape Cod, Shamrocks & Shenanigans

Starts at the corner of Long Pond Drive and Route 28 in South Yarmouth; info@capecodstpatricksparade. org, www.capecodstpatricksparade.com

MARCH 9 • NOON

Providence, RI

Parade starts at Smith and Rosebank Streets and ends at the Rhode Island State House. Parade Kicks off at 12:00 p.m. sharp; www.providencestpatricksparade.org

MARCH 10 • NOON

Worcester County

St. Patrick’s Parade runs down Park Ave. from Mill St. to Highland St.; info@stpatsparade.com, www.stpatsparade.com

MARCH 17 • 1PM

South Boston

St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at the Broadway T station, runs through South Boston and ends at Andrew Square. 844-478-7287; staff@southbostonparade.org, www.southbostonparade.org

MARCH 17 • 1PM

Scituate St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at Gates Middle School on First Parish Road. 781-545-6671; www.weloveaparade.com

MARCH 17 • 1PM

Abington

St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at the corner of Orange St. and Washington St.; www.abingtonstpatricksdayparade.org

MARCH 17 • 11:10AM

Holyoke

St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at Kmart Plaza on Rt. 5 – Northampton Street and ends on High Street; https://holyokestpatricksparade.com

2023 Most Popular Dog Names in Boston

The City of Boston Animal Care and Control Division released its top dog names and top dog breeds registered from 2023 and reminds residents that all pets need to be licensed by the March 31 deadline. The City of Boston will also host a series of dog licensing and pet vaccine clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from March 4 to June 3 at seven BCYF community centers. For details, fees, and locations, please visit boston.gov/animals or call (617) 635-1800.

Travel with Autism

Tips for Getting to and Enjoying the Adventure with Your Child

By Jean Abernathy

For a long time, traveling with my autistic son was a traumatic experience for the whole family. My anxiety was through the roof! Many times, we almost canceled the trip because it just wasn’t worth it! The tantrums, the screaming, the sabotage of all of my packing and planning made me ask myself, why go? Before we had children, my husband and I loved to travel the world. Giving it up would be a big loss for us. After one particular 12-hour flight, when my then 18-month-old son

screamed and cried for 11 hours of it, I was ready to quit travel until my son got older. As a family and after adding another child, we figured out what worked for us. Over time, I’ve learned some tricks that really help, and I’d love to share them hoping you can find a way to make it work for you.

As a mom, travel is already hard between planning and organization, keeping everyone happy, fed, and clean. Modern Family’s Claire Dunphy said of a family trip to

FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, MAY INSTITUTE HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS.

OUR SERVICES ARE BASED ON APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA):

Special education schools for autism and developmental disabilities

Center-based services for toddlers and young children

Early intervention services

Home-based services

Hawaii,”I’m a mom traveling with her kids. For me, this is not a vacation. It’s a business trip.” Then, add on traveling with a child with autism. Yes, it can be rough! I wanted to find a way to have travel be a part of our family bonding. It took some hard trips to learn what works and what doesn’t. Twice, I came home from a family trip and booked the next cruise out of our town, solo! The good news is that family travel can be done and enjoyed! Let me share what works for us.

LEADING UP TO THE TRIP

Some children with autism do better with a countdown calendar. Starting a week ahead, you mark each day off and let your child add something to his suitcase. It builds excitement and helps him prepare mentally for the trip. But this tactic is not for all. For my son, this process backfired and made him even more anxious. This made for horrific transition days, the day we left home to get to our destination. However, once we got to our destination, he would be fine. The rest of the family was a total wreck but, he was fine. Eventually, we learned to downplay the trip. As our children got older, we would discuss a destination to gauge interest. My son would never show interest in anything new but would give us clear clues if the trip was a no go. Once the trip was booked, we would tell him the dates. Then, we would drop it. Two weeks out, I give him a reminder. One week out, another reminder to discuss basics, i.e school work to bring, prescriptions to renew, etc. At this point, he may ask where his dog was staying and what activities we had planned. We let him bring up the trip if he wanted to. Sometimes he did, sometimes not. Naturally, conversation at dinner would revolve around the coming trip. He is okay with this. Now that he is older, two days before I give him a packing list. It helps ease his anxiety when we travel to accommodations he is familiar with and avoid bouncing around hotels.

AIR TRAVEL TECHNIQUES

Check Airline & Airport Resources

Always inquire with the airline ahead of time to check policies and special accommodations for kids with

disabilities. Most airlines have ways to help flyers with disabilities and have plans to accommodate people with special requirements. Many airports have special quiet areas to help people decompress if needed. Or, if you have access to an airport lounge, they can be quiet respites. Then, I plan to get to the gate early and speak with the gate agent. Often, but not always, they’ll let you board first. Some airlines now require that you make this request at the front counter. Trust me, it’s a game changer if your child needs it.

Seat Savvy

If your child has a favorite seat (like mine with his window fixation), it is worth paying a bit more for it. Even better, a bulkhead window seat with no seat to kick in front. This made a world of difference in our flights, keeping him calm and fascinated.

Packing the Carry-on

There is a ton of info on what to pack. I’m covering what not to pack in your child’s carry-on. My son’s love for metal Thomas Trains then metal Star Wars battleships stumped many a TSA agent as they went through the scanner. Until he was 14, his Ziplock bag of what felt like 200 battleships went everywhere with us. Still, for some cosmic reason, at age 17, almost every single time, it’s his backpack that gets pulled for additional screening. Now that we are beyond traveling with strollers, car seats and all the gear, we are big fans of not checking luggage, opting for carryon luggage only. But, while you are still in the young kid phase, pack all but one or two metal toys in checked luggage, provided your child will allow for this. Mine did not. If your child has to have toys with him, pack them in a clear bag ,then pull the bag out for security scanning. This will save time and much angst. My son did not like strangers going through his bag and would let them know it.

The “Mom’s Got It Covered” Bag

Aside from what I pack for him, I have my own bag. It’s my magic Mary Poppins bag. Think favorite toy, go-to snacks, water bottle, an extra outfit for him and me (you never know), and even some lollipops for those tough earpopping moments. Don’t forget sanitizing wipes for all airplane surfaces, duct tape to keep the tray table closed when not in use, and plenty of extra diapers. I learned the diaper lesson the hard way when our plane was delayed for six

Summer Program at Gifford

The Gifford School is a coed, therapeutic day school in Weston, MA serving students from 4th grade through high school who have social, emotional, behavioral, and complex learning challenges.

Gifford offers a 20 day summer program, which is an extension of our academic year program; students must be referred by their public school districts.

• Field trips and fun activities both on and off our 27 acre campus.

• Prevent regression in academic, social, and emotional learning.

• High school students have the opportunity to earn money and acquire valuable life and job skills with on-campus jobs.

Scan to watch our Summer Program Video!

www.gifford.org

hours on a flight home. You would think you could buy emergency diapers at an airport! Plus, the all-important iPad, headphones, and charger!

On Board Communication

I make it a point to give the person sitting in front of my child a heads-up of what we are dealing with. I explain that my son has Autism. He usually enjoys flying but can get restless. We will do our best to keep him content and prevent him from kicking your seat during the flight. Please understand that this is hard for him. People are usually very kind and understanding if you are trying to work with your child.

The Reward System

I was initially against bribing, but flights aren’t the usual setting, are they? I reward him with a small treat from my bag if he’s good for a certain period. It’s amazing what a little motivation can do.

Bring Backup

If you find yourself having to travel solo with your special needs child, find someone to come along. Having a buddy to help so you can regroup for five minutes or go to the bathroom on the flight makes a difference. We all need a breather now and then.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS

Choose a Rental Over a Hotel

I have more success staying in a place with a kitchen (See Breakfast and Dinners In) and a comfortable place to eat meals and separate bedrooms. Separate bedrooms or a comfortable place for my son to be alone and decompress makes for a much happier situation for the whole family. Also, with separate bedrooms it is easier for him to fall and stay asleep without the noises of others in the room. Sometimes, our family of four can’t avoid a hotel night, nor want to pay for two rooms. These nights are very stressful. It’s hard for all to sleep well. What helps are a small travel fan and a travel headband with wireless earphones to cut down on noise distractions. The more restful sleep my son gets the better it is for all of us.

Familiarity

Part of the fun of travel is to explore new things. For my son, new and unfamiliar places are pure torture. As a parent, I want both of my children to see the world. My son resists this want. Over time, we have discovered that if we go to a familiar base setting for longer durations, my son is better able to handle doing day trips or short three-day trips from the vacation. Plus, leading up to the trip is not so traumatic because he knows what to expect and actually looks forward to it.

Breakfast and Dinners In

On days that we are out and about, I try to start the morning with a “normal” breakfast with familiar foods. This normalcy is one less new thing for him to face. Then, after a tiring day of exploring, knowing that a dinner out will end badly, I plan a normal dinner at the place we are staying.

Build-in Down Time

Since the pandemic, I find that both of my children, autistic or not, need more downtime. I use a one-to-one ratio, one day exploring, then the next day of downtime. As the trip goes on, I transition to half day segments recognizing that the longer away from home the more the trip wears on my child.

Be Flexible

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Maybe it’s a delay or an overstimulating environment. A backup plan or a quiet corner for meltdowns can be a lifesaver. Sometimes, it might mean cutting a trip short for the sanity of the family, and that’s okay.

DO A POST MORTEM

Once you’re back home and settled, think about what worked and what didn’t. Write it down! Consider creating a “How to Travel” journal. Take note of items you wished you had packed and items that should have stayed home. List situations when everything worked out and why, as well as what didn’t and possible ways to do things differently next time. Plus, check in with yourself. As moms, we tend to focus on everyone else. How did you enjoy the trip? Are you rested or exhausted? Did this trip live up to what you imagined? What could you do differently to make future travel better for you and all of your family? The focus of the journal is to document how a trip went as opposed to the trip itself, so that next time your travel experience will be even better. Get beyond family travel being a relocation. Enjoy an actual vacation.

Traveling with our special kiddos take extra work, but the memories are worth it. We’ve got this, mama! 

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Gifted Girls Hiding in Plain Sight

By Courtney Dickinson

In speaking with the hundreds of parents I’ve met at education presentations, a consistent message I hear is “my son really needs something more challenging, but my daughter is doing just fine.”

Yet, ongoing research and data tell us that if one child in a family needs gifted education services, there is significant chance they all do. So, why are girls so often overlooked? Why are our gifted girls hiding in plain sight?

There is surprisingly little research on this, but we do know that girls begin puberty ahead of their same age male peers, and that social and emotional skills of most girls are considered to be about two years ahead of their counterparts. With these advanced social skills; girls are often awash in empathy and perspective taking; they see the signs that others may not be ready for what they are ready for intellectually, and so they throttle back and wait.

Instead of embracing their curiosity — asking the question, tackling an experiment, building a prototype of something they’ve imagined — they will step back to blend in. They will downplay their grades or achievements so as to not hurt their friends.

For decades there has been awareness about the tension girls in particular feel, the pull between conformity and achievement. The wisdom in an older piece from the Davidson Institute about gifted girls still rings true on most fronts. Does the following resonate with what you see now, or experienced yourself while growing up?

Gifted girls often face a range of social pressures in schools, causing them to shift priorities.

Join us at Acera’s free event, Girls in STEM on Saturday, May 18th from 10AM to 12PM. To learn more, visit aceraschool.org

In school, the desire for friends, a disinclination to stand out, fear of ridicule, and the need for acceptance often compel gifted girls to make their abilities appear ordinary or even nonexistent.

Signs of giftedness include deep intellectual curiosity, rapid application of ideas across subject areas, and drive to think in complex ways. For gifted

In school, the desire for friends, a disinclination to stand out, fear of ridicule, and the need for acceptance often compel gifted girls to make their abilities appear ordinary or even nonexistent.

girls, however, these attributes can be hidden because girls often:

• Purposely hold back because of a need to please others

• Have acute sensitivity

• Have a heightened fear of failure

• Strive for perfectionism, leading to anxiety

• Drive for friendships and fitting in, which can trod over curiosity to learn, express and grow

All of these features tend to heighten for girls around grades 5 and 6, a time of unique risk that a girl, when entering adolescence, can have plummeting confidence and lose a sense of themselves. Myriad reasons help explain this, most notably the fact that this age can often become a crossroads for a gifted girl. Conform and follow the path laid before you in a conventional way, or become yourself and live into your unique gifts, potential, and capacities for creativity and leadership?

This moment of vulnerability is a crucial opportunity for parents and educators to steward girls’ growth

through middle school, helping her enter high school with enduring intrinsic motivation, a strong sense of self, and confidence to learn and flourish.

How?

Help your daughter find ways to connect with other girls who share her interests and who may be a good intellectual and creative match.

Watch for decreasing interest in a topic that once fascinated and challenged her, and (gently) initiate a conversation to understand why.

Consider starting (or encouraging your daughter to join) a Destination Imagination team, which provides fun STEAM challenges.

Self advocacy is key! Encourage her to speak up for herself for new class placements or to initiate an after school club. If her teachers and school are unresponsive, advocate on her behalf. She’ll be empowered knowing you understand and believe in her.

Engage in the process of choosing electives. Encourage her to share

the courses available to her and brainstorm on which ones sound the most interesting, challenging, and fun.

Find a school that is a great fit for your daughter. Find one that provides individualized programming that embraces her interests, challenges her curiosity, and gives her that deeper and wider runway for learning.

There are a wealth of after school classes and clubs in Greater Boston, offering instruction in coding, game design, science, the arts, and more, many offering full or partial scholarships. These settings can be safe spaces for girls to be unlock their curiosity, as their classmates will share their passion for the subject matter.

March 8th is International Women’s Day; acknowledge it in a way that celebrates and empowers the girls in your life! 

Courtney Dickinson is Founder and Head of School at Acera: The Massachusetts School of Science, Creativity and Leadership.

Depends on Parents, Coaches

By Ju’Riese Colón, CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport

WE’VE ALL SEEN IT.

Name-calling, ridiculing, spreading rumors, or even hitting. But how do you tell the difference between bullying and behavior that’s just … mean?

It can be a challenge, especially considering the fact that most youth don’t tell an adult when they’ve been bullied. It’s up to parents to recognize and identify the behavior and respond accordingly.

At the U.S. Center for SafeSport, our goal is to make every athlete feel safe, supported, and strengthened. We believe that youth sports should be fun and confidence-boosting, but bullying can seriously impact an athlete’s physical and mental health. The sooner we recognize and respond to bullying behavior, the sooner caring and engaged parents and coaches can foster supportive environments to help athletes thrive on and off the field.

So, what is bullying? And how do we spot it – and stop it?

What does bullying look like?

Bullying might not be easy to pinpoint, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. In fact, according to one study by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice, about 20% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying nationwide. The key to stopping it is knowing what bullying looks like in action.

Maybe you’ve seen two athletes get into a heated argument after a game or start throwing punches in the locker room. While bullying and conflict can look similar, bullying behavior is defined as repeated or severe aggressive behaviors directed at a minor. And it comes in many forms, from verbal bullying to physical bullying to social or even sexual bullying and more.

Taunting, spitting at one another, or actively excluding someone from a team event can be hurtful in the moment, but when bullying behaviors are repeated or severe they can have serious long-lasting impacts on those being targeted.

We’ve heard of examples of athletes spreading emotionally damaging rumors about another athlete online, or instances in which an athlete was threatened with violence or physically intimidated until they quit the team. And it’s well known that athletes who bully often zero in on those who have less social power than they do, focusing on factors like weight, disability, physical appearance, race, and/or gender identity.

Intervening early makes a difference.

Whether you’re on the court coaching your child’s team or you’re on the sidelines handing out orange slices, parents and coaches serve as the eyes and ears of the team. You are positioned to recognize and respond to inappropriate behavior early before it escalates into something more.

HERE ARE 5 ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1

Set behavioral expectations upfront. If you’re a parent or coach, let your child or the athletes on your team know what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable. Allow the athletes to be a part of this process, letting them co-create the norms for team behavior.

2Model appropriate and respectful behavior. Treat every athlete on the team with equity, respect, and kindness and use language that is intentionally supportive.

3Promote team cohesion and bonding. Use encouragement and positive feedback to improve camaraderie, boosting unity and morale.

4Hold athletes accountable to expectations and policies. Make sure athletes know that they’ll be held accountable for their actions. Be sure to always promote accountability, not punishment, and outwardly reward inclusive behavior.

5Respond to misconduct immediately and consistently. When misconduct occurs, address it immediately. Remember that if you address one incident but ignore another, you’re sending mixed messages about what behaviors are acceptable. You can break a pattern before it takes hold.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport provides educational resources for parents and coaches to help make sure young athletes feel safe. Our Bullying Prevention Handbook for coaches of Minor Athletes provides useful tools and tactics to create the most enriching sport experience possible for athletes. For more tools to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse in sport, visit uscenterforsafesport.org/ abuse-prevention-resources. 

PHOTO BY THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT

Ju’Riese Colón is the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the nation’s only nonprofit organization committed to ending all forms of abuse in sport. As CEO, Ju’Riese leads the strategic vision and direction of the organization to ensure every athlete is safe, supported, and strengthened through support. An experienced child advocate who serves as an expert on issues related to child safety, Ju’Riese has led prevention and outreach initiatives with youth-serving organizations serving families, educators, law enforcement, and diverse communities. She earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and Spanish from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sports should be safe, welcoming spaces where every athlete feels like they belong. As a parent or youth coach, you have the power to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct by a participant of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, you can make a report to the U.S.

HOW TO PICK THE Best Camp FOR YOUR CHILD

IN NEW ENGLAND, WE’RE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE of summer camps for our children to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a day or sleepaway camp, one that focuses on the performing arts, science, or whatever else your child is passionate about, it more than likely exists in our region.

Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit the Needs and Interests of Your Child?

The opportunities that summer camp provides are endless: the ability to try new things, the chance to make new friends, and the prospect of gaining independence are just a few.

Consider the possibilities:

DAY CAMPS typically serve children ages 3-15. Session lengths usually vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming, before and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps.

OVERNIGHT (also called Resident or Sleepaway) Camps usually serve children ages 6-18. Campers stay at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.

GENERAL CAMPS offer a broad range of activities. Many allow campers to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is sometimes possible to explore an activity or interest in depth within the context of the whole program.

TRIP & TRAVEL CAMPS involve outdoor exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, climbing, and canoeing. Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel.

The only downside to having so many options is that it can feel like an exhausting search to find the right fit for your kids. We want them to be happy. We want them to feel comfortable. And, most of all, we want them to be safe. But how does a parent know they are making the right choice? Read on to find a wide range of information that will answer your checklist of questions regarding how to best decipher the information in all of those brochures and how to make the most of an informational visit. You’ll have better peace of mind, and chances are, your kids will have an incredible summer.

BE PREPARED

Before you start scheduling camp interviews, research the options that appeal most to your family, then weigh the pros and cons of each (you can even grade them on a points system if you like). After you’ve compiled a list in order of interest, start eliminating some. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy going on interviews for camps that aren’t all that appealing to you. It’s a waste of your time and theirs. Once you’ve ruled

SPECIALTY CAMPS are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area.

CAMPS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any time.

RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED CAMPS offer religious education formally and informally. Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s values and beliefs.

FAMILY CAMP SESSIONS include family members of all ages, from grandparents to infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to enjoy new experiences and adventures.

out camps that don’t meet your essential search criteria or expectations, begin exploring the details of each option you like. Sometimes, the filtering process yields too many camps to interview personally; sometimes, it doesn’t yield enough. Adjust key variables, such as location and session length, to narrow or expand the number of options on the results page. Use the results page to go directly to camp websites.

GET ORGANIZED

Camp interviews may feel tedious at times, depending on how many you plan on talking to. Still, they are necessary in determining how your child might fit into the environment. Go into each interview armed with knowledge of your pros and cons so that you have your questions firmly planted in your mind. How does the camp convey who they are and reflect the world they’ve created exclusively for a child’s benefit? Camp seekers can learn much from a close look at camp websites, brochures, photos, videos, FAQs, newsletters, social media, and camper or parent testimonials. Many camp

websites are a gateway to most camp information on this list, from video content to downloadable brochures and forms, all reflecting the camp’s culture.

Camps are much more than lists of activities they offer; they are vibrant educational communities – and no two are exactly alike. There is probably not just one perfect camp for your child. More than one camp may turn out to be a great fit, given your search criteria, so the interviewing stage will most likely factor into your final decision and help you pinpoint the camp. So, how do you decide between two (or a few camps) with comparable activities, locations, schedules, amenities, and prices?

Enough research will provide answers to your questions without you having to utter a single word. Camps try to anticipate what families need to know and provide this information online. You’ll want to use interview time to ask questions that haven’t already been answered – questions that explore the fit for your child.

Are you running low on time? Interviews with some camp head honchos may already be available online. You can also consult with friends who’ve previously met with the camp for information you never even realized you might want. Look for an interview with the example,; you might see photos on the website or Facebook showing the salad bar or a cabin group sitting around the table with food served family-style. This might spark a question about camp food and how your child’s dietary needs can be met. Or, combing through the part of a website developed exclusively for parents of overnight campers might enable you to understand the camp’s plan and suggestions for communicating with your camper. Perhaps reading the director’s blog from last summer or looking at newsletters might give you insight into the camp’s philosophy and culture.

BE YOUR CHILD’S BEST ADVOCATE

You’re the expert on your child! What aspects of his personality might affect the camp fit? (Your child is shy and cautious in new situations, for instance. Or your child needs to have a certain amount of time to practice music, sports or academics.) 

Submitted by American Camp Association, New England.

2024 Session Dates:

2 Week Sessions

June 30 – July 13, 2024

July 14 – July 27, 2024

July 28 – August 10, 2024

4 Week Sessions

June 30 – July 27, 2024

July 14 – August 10, 2024

6 Week Sessions

June 30 – August 10, 2024

What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience?

electing a camp for your child can be exciting. You know that camp is a wonderful way for your child to develop independence, new skills, and new friends. But now you need to figure out which camp is the right choice. Consider these questions as you go through your search:

What is driving your camp search?

Fun and learning? New experiences and skills? A need for child care? Family tradition? Encouragement from friends?

What are your leading camp search criteria? Which ones are “non-negotiable” and which are “preferences”?

Which of your family’s values should be reflected in the camp philosophy? How religious should it be? How competitive? How diverse? How much camper choice should be given?

What activities or programs interest you and your child? What level of intensity are you looking for? Are you looking for opportunities for your child to try new activities, play, advance current skills, practice, compete or specialize?

What kind of facilities will your camper consider? Discuss electricity, bathrooms, and dining.

What session length, from a few days to eight weeks to, is comfortable for you, your child, and your family’s summer schedule? The most common session lengths are the entire season (seven to eight weeks), half season (three to four), two weeks, and one week.

What camp clientele do you want to consider? There are camps for boys only, girls only, coed, brother/sister, religious groups, underserved populations, and children with special needs.

How far are you willing to commute your child? Is there a good local source, or is it worth driving to a destination camp? 

Sending Teens to Summer Camp

Community service camps offer a great chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community, while also learning lifelong skills.

By Kerrie McLoughlin

Summer camp seems the perfect summertime solution for elementaryage kids so they don’t sit around the house bored and so they can make friends and learn new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we sometimes forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen might need to find a fun summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, making TikTok videos, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send teens off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp:

Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer a chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community while also learning lifelong skills. Kids spend

their days helping others, which feels good to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read, or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens could even learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an older adult who is unable to do so anymore … or even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need.

Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later, there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.

Working as a team. Your child will meet kids of different ages and from diverse

INSPIRE YOUR CREATIVITY,ENRICH YOUR SUMMER

Students ages 3–16* will enjoy a fun, inclusive dance experience, foster personal growth, further their training, and create lifelong memories with faculty and friends. Register for one of our summer programs today!

bostonballet.org/bpp-summer

June 27-August 9, 2024

Classes in Math, Science, English, Technology, SAT Prep, and Art For students Grades 6–12 Visit belmonthill.org/summeracademics to learn more!

backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help them get to know each other.

Standing on their own. Let’s face it. As our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period helps teach independence. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow. Because parents aren’t doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out but rather respect and learn from other adults.

Appreciating everything. Away from screens, a person finds it easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships, and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help run the household.

Working as a team, your child will be meeting kids of different ages and who are from different backgrounds.

Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed, and privacy!

Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental, and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer?

Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year! 

Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five. Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.

Summer fun for campers 3 to 15 years old

• Traditional Day Camp

• Leader in Training (LIT)

• Counselor in Training (CIT)

www.dedhamcountryday.org/camp

Day Sessions: ABLE

A weeklong music program for people with disabilities, ages 9–17.

July 29–August 2 and August 5–9, 2024

biaae@berklee.edu

Is Your Child Ready

Day Camp or Overnight Camp for Overnight Camp?

Deciding between day camp or residential (overnight) camp is one piece of the decision for families. Camp is an experience and not limited to a singular location. Campers can develop the same skills, both hard and soft, whether they’re sleeping away from home or returning to their own beds each night. While there are differences between day and residential camps, above all else, the most important outcome of this decision is finding the right fit for your camper and family.

This begins with knowing your camper. Many overnight camps begin taking campers between ages 7-9 years old. However, some children may be ready at 6 and some others may not be ready at 10. While there is no clear, linear checklist to determine whether day or overnight camp is right for your child, the questions listed here can help guide that conversation.

These questions can help begin a dialogue with your family about which camp experience is the best fit for you. The choice of day versus residential camp is one important aspect of the overall decision. But even then, make sure you follow up with those potential camps. Talk to directors. Ask for tours. Ask for references. Do your due diligence. In the end both you and the camp want this summer to be the first of many and the beginning of a great relationship. 

• What is the primary reason for wanting to go to camp?

• Has your child ever spent multiple nights sleeping away from home?

• What’s your budget for camp?

• Can your child bath and dress independently?

• How far away from home do you want your child’s camp experience to be?

• What activities are important to your camper’s experience?