APRIL 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 45
CAMP GUIDE
PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS
SUMMER CAMP RESEARCH TIPS
BY JESS MICHAELS
Researching summer camps is an important
step in finding the right camp
for your child. And this summer, after
a year of remote learning and limited
socializing and activities, your child is
going to need a summer at camp more
than ever before.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, there
are ways to go about narrowing down
your choices and choosing the best camp
for your child and family. Here are some
ways to get your camp search started.
VIDEO CALLS WITH THE DIRECTOR
One of the best ways to learn about a
camp is by speaking with the camp
director. While many overnight camp
directors have done home visits in the
past so you can get to know the director
(and for them to get to know you and
your child), they have moved these
meetings to Zoom. Facetime and Google
Meet have also made it even easier
to get to know a camp director and to
inquire about the camp’s philosophy,
mission, activities and more.
COURTYARD AND BACKYARD
HOME VISITS
If you’d rather do a home visit, camp
directors are happy to do outside home
visits when the weather warms up.
Backyard and courtyard visits worked
very well this fall and they will start up
again as the weather improves.
DAY CAMP TOURS
Since day camps are local, they offer
camp tours all year long, even in the
winter. If there is a day camp you are
interested in, give the director a call to
schedule a tour. Touring allows you to
see the camp and facilities, even if it will
all look different in the summer. Tours
also allow you to ask questions while
in the camp environment, which often
sparks additional questions.
SPRING OPEN HOUSES AND
TOURS
When the weather warms up, many day
and overnight camps will host some
kind of socially distanced open house
dates and camp tours so you can see the
camp before deciding on a camp.
VIRTUAL CAMP FAIRS
Camp fairs typically allow families to
meet with dozens of camps online all
in one day. Since in-person events are
challenging during Covid-19, camp fairs
have been reimagined this year. New
York Family will be offering a virtual
camp fair that will be using an online
platform with an algorithm that will
create one-on-one video calls between
camp directors and qualified families,
based on the criteria both camps and
families submit. There will be four
virtual camp fairs, taking place on
April 11.
CAMP WEBSITES AND SOCIAL
MEDIA
Already have a few camps in mind to
check out? Camp websites and social
media pages are filled with information,
from activities offered to videos. Looking
at a camp’s website is a good starting
point for your search, but it’s always important
to speak with the camp director
before registering to ensure the camp is
the right fit for your child.
CALL THE AMERICAN CAMP
ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK
AND NEW JERSEY
Did you know that this organization
offers free, one-on-one advice for parents
looking for a day or overnight
camp? Families can call Renee Flax at
212-391-5208 to speak with her about
their child and what they are looking
for in a camp.
This story first appeared in New York
Family.
“Even in the midst of a pandemic, there are ways to
go about narrowing down your choices and choosing
the best camp for your child and family.”
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
