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FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 15, 2021 • CAMP GUIDE • THE QUEENS COURIER 43
Seven tips for researching summer camps amid the pandemic
BY JESS MICHAELS
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Researching summer camps is an
important step to fi nding the right camp
for your child. And this summer, aft er
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 them (and
so they can get to know you and your
child), they have moved these meetings
to Zoom! FaceTime, Google Meet and
Zoom have 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 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 off er
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 diff erent
in the summer! Tours also allow you
to ask questions while in the camp environment
which oft en 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 where you can see the camp
before deciding on a camp.
Virtual camp fairs
Camp fairs typically allow families to
meet with dozens of camps all in one day!
Since in-person events are challenging
during COVID-19, camp fairs have been
re-imagined this year. New York Family
will be off ering virtual camp fairs thatwill
be using an online platform with an algorithm
that will create one-on-one video
calls between camp directors and qualifi
ed families, based on the criteria both
camps and families submit.
Camp websites and social media
Already have a few camps in mind to
check out? Camp websites and social
media pages are fi lled with information
from activities off ered 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
fi t for your child.
Call the American Camp
Association, NY & NJ
Did you know that theAmerican Camp
Association, NY and NJ off ers free, oneon
one advice for parents looking for
a day or overnight camp? Families can
call Renee Flax at 212-391-5208 to speak
about their child and what they are looking
for in a camp.
Photo via Getty Images
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