Summer Camps 2021

MAINE’S 2021 GUIDE TO

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • April 30, 2021

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SUMMER CAMPS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • April 30, 2021

5 reasons why summer camp is a good choice for kids COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

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ummer vacation offers students a respite from lessons and the routine of school.

Children might once have eagerly awaited those final days of classes so they could lounge poolside, skip rocks across ponds and spend the long days of the season playing with friends. But many of today’s youngsters spend much of their summer vacations indoors playing with their digital devices.

Perhaps that’s why one of the last vestiges of the classic summer vacation escape – summer camp – remains such a viable

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option for parents who want their children to get outdoors once the school year ends.

Although kids needn’t be in camp all summer long, a week or two can benefit campers of all ages. The following are five reasons why summer camp might be the right fit this year.

1. Explore talents. Summer camps help young people explore their unique interests and talents. Under an organized, yet often easygoing, camp schedule, kids can dabble in sports, arts and crafts, leadership, community support, and so many other activities that may not be fully available to them elsewhere.

2. Physical activity. Lots of camps build their itineraries around physical activities that take place outdoors. Campers may spend their time swimming, running, hiking, playing sports, climbing and so much more. This can be a welcome change for kids accustomed to living sedentary lifestyles. Regular physical activity has many health benefits and can set a foundation for healthy habits as an adult.

3. Gain confidence. Day and sleepaway camps offer campers the opportunity to get

comfortable in their own skin. Camps can foster activities in self-esteem by removing the academic measures of success and fill in with noncompetitive opportunities to succeed. Campers learn independence, decision-making skills and the ability to thrive outside of the shadow of their parents, siblings or other students.

4. Try new things. Camp gives children the chance to try new things, whether that’s learning to cook, exploring new environments or embracing a new sport or leisure activity. Opening oneself up to new opportunities can build character and prove enlightening for children.

5. Make new friends. Camp is a great place to meet new people and make lifelong friends. Campers flood in from areas near and far. This provides kids with a chance to expand their social circles beyond their immediate neighborhoods and schools.

Camps benefit children in a variety of ways. Lessons learned in camp can strengthen values, build confidence, develop coping mechanisms when adversity strikes, and enable campers to make lifelong friends.

SUMMER CAMPS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • April 30, 2021

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Come Experience the Possibilities Factors to consider before of Camp CaPella!

choosing a summer camp

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

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dults often look back fondly on their childhood experiences at summer camp. Camps can provide the opportunity to form lifelong friendships and discover rewarding hobbies that can enrich campers’ lives for decades to come.

Choosing a summer camp is no small task, as the options at families’ disposal range from overnight camps to weekday afternoon camps to camps that specialize in certain programs, such as music or dance.

Cost also is likely to factor into families’ decisions, as the American Camp Association notes that cost can vary greatly depending on which camp families choose. For example, the ACA notes that the average daily fee at a resident camp is $85, while the same fee at a day camp is $43.

When looking for a summer camp for kids, families should make the decision together. Kids should be involved in the selection process, as they’re more likely to have an enjoyable camp experience if they had a say in where they will be spending their summers. The following are some factors families should consider as they look for summer camps, courtesy of the ACA. Kids’ interests The ACA urges parents to consider the child’s interests and personality before choosing a summer camp. Parents might want their children to attend the same summer camp they visited as youngsters, but each child is different. Just because mom and dad liked a particular camp does not mean their children will. The ACA notes

that summer camps should align with children’s interests and maturity level.

Locale Locale may only be a consideration for families considering overnight camps. Kids will likely be familiar with the locations of local day camps, but overnight camps might be set in mountain ranges, near the ocean or environments less familiar to youngsters. Kids who love the ocean might benefit from oceanfront camps that focus on marine biology, boating or other activities involving the water. In the same vein, youngsters who like camping and hiking might be more likely to embrace camps located in mountainous regions.

Session length Camps may last as little as one week or up to a couple of months. Session length should be considered by families looking at both local day camps and overnight resident camps. Parents who want their children to enjoy a largely schedule-free summer might not want to commit their children to lengthy camp sessions, even if those sessions are close to home. If parents think their children can benefit from the same structure they’re accustomed to during the school year, then an overnight camp that stretches for several weeks might be what they’re looking for.

Summer camps give kids a chance to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Choosing the right camp is an important decision that parents and kids should make together.

COURTESY OF CAMP CAPELLA

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amp CaPella offers weekly camp sessions for individuals with disabilities ages five and up! Located on Phillips Lake in Dedham, ME halfway between Bangor and Ellsworth just off Route 1A, the camp facility offers a sand beach with docks, pontoon boat, kayaks, canoes, playground, lodge, bunk house and more that is completely accessible. Camp programs include boating, fishing, paddling, swimming, recreational games, campfires, arts-n-crafts, singing, dancing and much more. All camp programs are designed so that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate. Each day at camp is an opportunity for campers to live life to the fullest, gain confidence and independence!

Not to mention, create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime!

Camp CaPella is excited to offer overnight and day camp for summer 2021.

Due to COVID19 requirements, space is

limited. Applications can be found at www.campcapella.org.

Camp CaPella is also hiring for summer 2021! If you are looking for a fulfilling summer job where you can spend time outside, have fun and get to know some amazing individuals, Camp CaPella is the place for you!

Come Experience the Possibilities of Camp CaPella!

For more information, please contact Camp Director, Heidi Riggs, at 207-843-5104, 207-479-0442 or email heidi@campcapella.org.

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SUMMER CAMPS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • April 30, 2021

Keep in touch with kids at camp COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

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ummer camp is an exciting way for children to spend their extended vacations from the classroom. Camps cater to various interests, including sports, crafts and even technological hobbies.

Children who attend overnight camps may spend several nights away from home.

Some kids take this in stride, while others, possibly away from home for the first time, may experience some homesickness. Staying in touch while the kids are at camp can help alleviate fears and show children their parents care.

Camps now handle communication issues differently than they might have when today’s parents were campers. While it was once common for campers to send handwritten letters or short missives home to mom and dad, technology has changed that. Today’s campers may have access to email accounts, or they even may be allowed to bring cell phones along. This can facilitate communication, but it also may take away from the camping experience.

Parents need to find a balance between what might be too little or too much contact with campers. After all, camp is kids’ chance to grow independent for a few days or weeks. · Learn camp rules. The camp will likely provide information regarding correspondence. Camps may permit parents to send one-way emails and regular mail, but limit campers to handwritten letters only. Deter-

mine if mobile phones are allowed or should be left at home. Knowing the rules can help parents and kids plan accordingly. · Pack correspondence supplies. Send kids to camp with fun papers, stickers, pens, and other crafty items. This way they’ll be inspired to write home once or twice. Provide brief lessons on how to address an envelope for campers who may not know how. · Check blogs and texts. Some camps may blog about campers’ progress, post information on social media or send out mass texts. These messages can reassure parents that their youngsters are doing just fine.

Figure out which tech options are available from camp administrators. · Send a care package. Treat the campers to some supplies from home. Pack campapproved snacks and other reminders of home. Be sure to include enough for the entire cabin and your son or daughter will be the camp star. · Expect some silence. If camp is going well and campers’ days are fun-filled, they may be too busy for daily correspondence.

Parents may get nervous when they don’t routinely see or hear from their children, but chances are everything is going swimmingly.

The camp experience is often harder on parents than children, as campers have their friends and activities to keep them busy. Brief communication helps campers grow more confident and independent.

Learn and Explore This Summer!

COURTESY OF ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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nce again, All Saints Catholic School will be providing an exciting opportunity for your school-age children to come learn and explore with us in our educational Summer Program.

Our Summer Program will begin at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. each day and will offer a new adventure each week over a 9-week period, with themes based in art, science, history and social studies. Students will begin the summer learning about “Gardening” and will plant, care for and harvest the school’s garden.

Campers will also learn about “Animals,” participate in a “Teamwork” week, and give back to the community during the week of “Service Learning.” During our “Music and Dance” week we will learn more about musical instruments, styles of dance and types of music.

Education researchers have found that students experience significant learning loss when they do not participate in educational

activities during the summer months. Studies show that students perform, on average, one month behind where they left off in the spring, scoring lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer than they do on the same tests at the end of the school year. A well-structured, educational-based summer program can help close the gap associated with summer learning loss, and even boost your child’s performance for years to come.

The All Saints summer programs are fullday programs open to students from all school districts, grades preschool through eight. Both Catholic and non-Catholic students are welcome and accepted for a summer of learning, fun, exploration, community service and adventure. Children can sign up for a whole summer or specific themed weeks. Rates are $40 a day for the Summer Camp program. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis as space in both programs is limited.