Eric D. Naftulin asked:


Seems like everyone carries a cell phone, iPod or other electronic device these days. Kids are no exception, but what happens when kids want to bring these items to summer camp?

Some camps allow kids to bring electronic gadgets with them to camp. One camp even includes an “optional cell phone” in its suggested packing list.

But that’s the exception, not the rule. Most camps restrict kids from bringing these items to camp completely.

Theresa Torrone, the director her own summer camp in Los Angeles, California, does not allow portable electronics at camp. “We believe iPods, Gameboys, cell phones, other portable electronic devices electronics are better left at home,” Torrone says. “Not only are these items easily lost, damaged or even stolen, they are counterproductive to the camp experience.”

Torrone says the goals at her camp include teaching kids about beach and ocean ecology, introducing them to new aquatic activities like surfing and jet skiing, and facilitating new friendships, among others. But if children are listing to iPods or talking on cell phones, “they typically do so in isolation, apart from the rest of the camp group,” argues Torrone. “We believe a large part of going to camp is sharing new experiences in a group setting. When kids are playing with their cell phones or electronics, their opportunities to learn and experience new things with their group are limited.”

According to Torrone, some parents insist on sending a cell phone to camp with their kids because they feel more comfortable knowing they can reach their child anytime just by calling.

“But a major component to the camp experience is learning to live independently. Kids can’t do that with their parents calling them all the time. So we feel that parents should resist the temptation to send their kids to camp with cell phones. If you need to reach your child in an emergency or for any other reason, just call or email the camp office. They’ll be able to contact your child right away.”

Torrone says many camps now use technology to give parents “an arms length way” to see and communicate with their kids while they’re at camp. Some camps will post pictures of the campers on the Internet while others give parents the opportunity to send one-way emails to their kids as an alternative to sending letters.

Torrone understands kids’ cravings for electronic toys and gadgets. “Many kids are even more tech-savvy than their folks,” she says. And there are some kids, Torrone says, who just “can’t get enough tech.”

In this case, Torrone suggests sending your son or daughter to a technology-based summer program. “Many camps specialize in technology-driven activities,” Torrone said. “Computer camps and video-making camps are really popular these days.”

To find camps like these, or any other type of camp, Torrone advises logging onto http://findacamp.com, the American Camp Association’s summer camp search engine which is filled with a database of approximately 2,500 accredited camps.

Torrone’s Aloha Beach Camp embraces technology and the power of the Internet to provide information to prospective camp families and customers. “But we’d rather not have their kids bringing electronic devices into the camp community.”

Does Torrone ever envision a day when electronic toys and gadgets will be accepted at camp? She pauses to think, then replies, “Well, maybe when campers can learn to ride a horse, bond with the rest of the group, roast marshmallows, do skits around the campfire and download songs to their iPods all at the same time,” she laughs.

Copyright Eric D. Naftulin and Aloha Beach Camp. All rights reserved.



Melanie

Kent Smithson asked:


Depending on where you live in the country, almost every time of the year can be a good time to go out camping with your friends or family. Some of those times might require special camping equipment needed for different seasons. Using the better quality camping supplies available will usually pay off in the long run due to their ability to withstand continual use over time. These better brands for camping don’t necessarily have to cost a lot of money when you look for these items online. It’s only a few clicks away to an available camping equipment outlet found on the Internet.

Various camping equipment outlets will allow for nice discounts when you buy almost anything related to camping like sleeping gear, tents, emergency and survival equipment, camping furniture, lighting or lanterns for camping, knives, hatchets and many more items.

Some of these camping equipment outlets also sell slightly used camping gear that will usually be more discounted at then newer lesser quality items. Also, you are looking for a better quality camping equipment but want to stay under budget, purchasing slightly used items may allow for getting the better quality. You might realistically expect that slightly used camping gear will likely last longer than the cheaper new items you could get for less money. You really need to compare the better brands with the cheaper ones to really understand the difference in quality.

Taking some time to research various camping resources like articles and consumer news will usually help your chances for a more enjoyable camping experience over time. Looking through various tips and other information regarding camping will help you understand what brands will be better for various categories of camping supplies. Part of your research helpng towards a more enjoyable camping adventure will include comparing stores with each other to find some of those better deals.

You also might look into finding this equipment in the classifieds or auctions. Auctions online will have available for sale and bid for almost any camping or hiking supplies you could ever think of being available and more. Some of these sites will have both auctions and no bidding purchases available to the consumer. Consumers who like to find deals can sometimes find great ones using auctions. Others that may be reluctant to bid on items will often have the chance to simply purchase those items at a given price.



Susan

Rachel Nunez asked:


Camping is the best time to engage in fun activities such as hiking, fishing, bird hunting, boat riding, and others. But these activities are not enjoyable without exceptional camping equipment supplies. In view of that, it is of utmost importance to bring the right camping supplies in your trip. When planning the activities, you need to make sure that you have a basic camping supplies list of what equipment to bring. If outdoor fishing is on your list of activities, then you will need some fishing supplies to carry out the activity.

Buying on the Net

Different discount camping supplies are available online. When you search for online camping supplies, you will see that there is a lot of camping gear to choose from. Any type of gear can be purchased via the Internet. Some camping supplies retail shops even offer great discounts on selected items online. This means that you can buy the camping supplies that you need at discounted prices. What a great way to buy the perfect gear for your camping excursion.

To ensure that you will have a pleasurable experience, you will need to create a list of camping supplies that you will need for the outdoor camping activities. Before embarking on the trip, check if you have all the camping equipment that you need. The camping supplies list is important so that you know what other supplies you need to purchase.

The Benefits

Buying the right supplies for camping is easy. There are plenty of resources online where you can purchase the right camping equipment. Most of these resources offer a wide array of outdoor camping supplies to choose from. Some camping supply websites offer high-quality equipment at prices that are easy on the pocket. No matter what kind of outdoor camping activity you are in, there are camping tools and equipment readily available for you. When choosing for the right camping supplies, you can start your search by looking into various websites that offer a wide display of cheap camping supplies.

Generally, websites that sell family camping supplies showcase different brands and styles of camping products. When you shop online, you can easily buy the camp gear that you like without any hassle at all. Buying online is very convenient because you can make a comparison of the prices of various supplies needed for camping and choose the one that meets you requirements.

What to Consider

Purchasing the camping supplies online is very simple nowadays. However, we also have to take the necessary precautions when buying. The best thing to do it is to compare the range of the camping products as to the satisfaction that they can give to the user, their quality, sizes, and prices. Ask yourself these important questions. Are they really needed in the trip? Do they suit your taste and lifestyle? Are they of high quality? Do they meet your camping budget? When you already know the answers to these questions, then, that is the time when you can decide on what camping supplies to buy.

With the complete list of camping gear and supplies, there is no doubt that you will have a successful camping adventure. The wholesale camping supplies are the key to experiencing a camping excursion at its finest. Most of all, always remember to carry only the essentials. Your main purpose here is to enjoy the trip and to take a breather.



Nicholas

Eric D. Naftulin asked:


Could this be the end of summer camp as we know it?

Have traditional summer camps — where kids enjoy horseback riding, archery, take nature hikes, sing songs and make s’mores around the campfire — seen their final days?

Probably not. But given the way specialty camps are gaining traction among today’s youth, traditional camps may be losing their foothold.

According to Theresa Torrone, a volunteer for the American Camp Association and the owner/operator of her own beach and surf specialty camp in Los Angeles, California, “Specialty camps appeal to kids with very specific interests. Rather than participate in a wide variety of general camp activities, they’d rather spend their summer focusing on just one specialty activity instead.”

Torrone cited cooking camps, dramatic arts camps, and surf (also known as surfing) camps among some of the fastest growing genres in the specialty summer camp field.

“As a volunteer for the American Camp Association, I visit various types of camps each summer, and I’m intimately familiar with many others. I can tell you that the specialty camp sector is growing like gangbusters,” Torrone said.

Given the fact surf camps – where kids learn not only how to surf, but also about surf etiquette, wave judgment and selection, ocean science and water safety – are becoming more prevalent, is Torrone concerned about the inevitable added competition for her own camp?

“Nah,” she said with a smile. “The more kids who experience camp at the beach, the better. If they come to my camp, great. But the most important thing is that they get to experience the ocean environment somewhere. I’m glad there are so many available opportunities for kids to learn to surf at camp.”

 Most likely, the traditional camp experience will last forever because many parents feel that sending their kids to a traditional summer camp is a virtual an American pastime.

But specialty camps are gaining ground fast…of that there is no doubt.

Copyright Eric D. Naftulin and Aloha Beach Camp. All rights reserved.



Florence

Eric D. Naftulin asked:


Let’s face it – sending your kids to summer camp can cost a fortune. But here’s a secret: you can save up to 25% or more off your camp tuition if you know the right people and use the right strategies.

Sending your child to camp can be just like buying a car – you don’t want to pay full price…and you don’t need to! So let’s start with 5 things you can do right now to save money at camp:

Early Bird Discounts

Camp directors want to fill their camps as soon as possible, and they want to get paid as soon as possible, perhaps more so than in other industries because camp directors only get a few months per to make as much money as they can. So you’ve got some leverage here. Most likely, a camp will offer you discounted tuition in exchange for your early registration (and sometimes prepayment). So make sure you ask the camp director about early bird discounts because you might be pleasantly surprised how much you can save.

Camp Coupons

Everyone uses coupons at the grocery store, but did you know you can save money with coupons at camp? There’s a website in development called campcoupons.com. It probably won’t be online for another few months, so it may not benefit you this year. But it’ll be loaded with all kinds of great coupon offers and discount opportunities from camps around the country. You’ll be able to print free money-saving coupons from your favorite camp(s) absolutely free.

Meanwhile, there’s another Website called gocamps.com that, last we checked, was offering offered discounts of at least 25% from participating camps on its site. Last we checked there were discount offers from camps across the USA. So visit www.gocamps.com, click on Registration Discounts and see what you can find.

Sibling Discounts and Group Rates

You might not see a sibling discount advertised, but don’t let this stop you from asking because you can probably get one anyway. Most camps I’m aware of will generally provide a 5% discount off the second child’s tuition…but they may not volunteer this opportunity is available. So remember, ask for a sibling discount!

Group discounts may be available for an even larger savings. How much of a savings are we talking about? The amount will vary from camp to camp and the size of your group. At a minimum, your group should save at least 10% off camp tuition. Why? Because it’s a camp director’s dream-come-true to register a bunch of kids at once, rather than expending the time, money, and other resources to seek out and enroll one kid at a time. You’re making things easier on the camp, so your group should be rewarded with a nice discount.

Lock-in your tuition rate the year before

Camps generally raise their prices every year, so here’s a little known secret that can save you lots of money. You can often freeze your tuition at this year’s rates so your rates won’t go up next summer, even though everyone else will be paying full price.

Similar to the Early Bird discount program described above, some camps offer Advance Registration discounts where, for a month or two after the current summer ends, you can prepay for the following summer at this year’s prices. Even though you’re essentially prepaying for camp year in advance, you’re also freezing your tuition at the current year’s rates and the savings can be tremendous.

Tax Breaks

Did you know you might qualify for a tax deduction (credit) on your income taxes? In our experience, those who’ve qualified for this credit are parents sending their kid to day camps, not overnight camps. You will need to consult your tax advisor for the specific details because we are not qualified to give tax advice, and you should not construe this information as such. But if your child attends a day camp and your can get the camp’s federal tax id number you may qualify for a tax deduction child care credit. Here’s a link for more information from Bank Rate.com:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/TakeATaxBreakForSummerCamp.aspx

So there you have it. Five tips to help you save money at summer camp. Remember, even if you don’t see any discounts offered or actively promoted by the camp, it doesn’t mean they aren’t available. Sometimes all you have to do is ask…good luck!

Copyright Eric D. Naftulin and Aloha Beach Camp Summer Camp. All rights reserved. 



Todd