CharlottesvilleFamily Camp Expo 2017

A

D F M RE IS E SI O N

Fun Fair& Camp Expo2017

!

event program

Sunday, February 12 10am - 3pm DoubleTree Hotel 29 North (next to Sam’s Club)

FREE PARKING!

Find the Perfect

SUMMER CAMP Enter for a chance to WIN Beats Solo HD Headphones!

Over $1,000 in giveaways & prizes

Over 80 exhibitors!

Entertainment • Popular Giveaways • Fun for the Kids & Teens Special thanks to our sponsors!

DAY CAMP

SPECIALTY CAMPS AND SPORTS CAMPS NEW! ARTastic Camp NEW! Marvels of Science Epic Chefs Cooking Camp Princess Camp Say Yes to the Mess Virginia History Week Outdoor Camp and more...

Open to the community • Licensed Year-round professional team Safe, kid-friendly campus Preschool to middle school Indoor and outdoor activities Weekly themes Learn to swim at camp!

Register by March 5 for

Early Bird Savings

10% OFF CAMP & 5 WATERPARK PASSES Visit acac.com for details. acac.com

| 434.978.7529

I Live your best.

BRO O KS FAM I LY Y M C A | OPENING JUNE 2017

Summer Camps For ages 5-14 • NEW! Brooks Family YMCA 434-974-9622 • Crozet YMCA 434-205-4380 • Jefferson School 434-202-0118

Piedmont Family

YMCA Founders Brick and Membership Campaign now available! Learn more at piedmontYMCA.org .

s n o i t s e u Q p m Ca

p u d n u o R

Make the most of the CharlottesvilleFamily Fun Fair & Camp Expo with these great questions for program directors and camp counselors:

• What is your camp’s philosophy or mission?

• Where is your camp?

• How much does your camp cost?

• When are the sessions and how long do they run?

• Does your program have day camp and/or residential camp options?

• What age groups are represented, and in what percentages?

• Where do your campers come from? Are they local, national or international?

• Is the program coed? If so, what is the approximate ratio of boys to girls?

• Who is the camp director, and what is his or her background?

• Who are the camp staff members? How are staff members trained?

• What is the ratio of campers to staff members? Does that ratio change during different activities or during different times of the day?

• What are your medical facilities like? Is there a nurse or doctor on staff?

• What kind of living/eating/recreational facilities does your camp offer?

• How are behavioral problems handled? What is the camp policy regarding discipline?

• What are the safety regulations? What kind of supervision is provided?

• What is the daily schedule like at your camp? How much free time is there?

• Can the camper have visitors?

• What kind of communication is allowed — mail, phone calls, etc.?

• How does your staff handle homesickness?

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE... ...whether your kids love art, robots, swimming, horses or adventure sports!

4

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

JUNE 18-24 or JUNE 25-JULY 1 • AGES 9-13

Ourh 28t r!

Yea

An exciting opportunity for students who enjoy learning and are eager to explore new ideas and interests.

FUN • CHALLENGING • MEMORABLE • EDUCATIONAL • AFFORDABLE FRIEND us on Facebook! FOLLOW us on Twitter!

FERRUM COLLEGE ENRICHMENT CAMP

(888)508-7822 WWW.FERRUM.EDU/FCSEC CharlottesvilleFamily.com

5

Ready for Sleepaway Camp?

Take this quick quiz to see if your child is ready for residential camp this year. Answer each of these questions on a scale of 1-5, with 1 representing “never” and 5 representing “always.”

1. My child stays overnight with grandparents or with friends without tears and anxiety.

2. My child willingly asks adults other than me for help.

6

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

3. My child willingly eats food other than what I cook.

4. My child easily warms up to new situations and people.

5. My child enjoys a wide range of experiences.

6. My child makes friends easily.

7. My child keeps track of clothes, money, school supplies and homework.

If you answered 4 or 5 for most of these questions, your child will likely thrive. If there are one or two trouble spots, don't worry too much. Camp just might help your child learn to keep track of things or try new activities more easily. If most of your responses are 1, 2 or 3, you might think about delaying sleepaway camp for a year or two.

“Enter Here to Be and Find a Friend”

“I don’t think you really could have done anything better.

My girls had a wonderful time there. - Tammy

Be sure to give your child a realistic idea of what camp life is like. If your child seems reluctant, don’t push. Overnight camp isn’t right for everyone, and there’s always next year.

Camp Friendship offers an exceptional overnight summer camp experience on a safe environment where they grow as individuals, make friends but most importantly they learn to have fun.

1.800.873.3223 • www.campfriendship.com CharlottesvilleFamily.com

7

T C D E N I F PERF ER M M E U S H T AMP

C

10 Questions to Ask Before Deciding

BY CLAIRE YEZBAK FADDEN 8

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

As the daylight hours begin to stretch into early evening and the calendar pages head toward June, parents start thinking about how to best fill their child’s summer days. The process of picking the best camp experience for your child doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, by taking the time to talk with your camper and answer these few questions, it can be as easy as 1-2-3.

You can turn your child’s school vacation into weeks of camaraderie, fun and discovery, and enjoy your summer as well, knowing that your child is spending part of his or her days learning as well as being entertained.

1) Is my child old enough to go to camp?

What camps are best suited to his or her age? “Ask your child: Are you interested in going to camp?” says Peg L. Smith, former CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA). “This is a family decision and the best way to determine if your child is ready is to learn firsthand if they want to go.” To make for the best, age-appropriate experiences, camps breakdown their programs by age groups (4–7, 8–10, 11–13 and 14–16).

This helps in choosing the right camp for your child’s maturity.

2) How much will it cost?

Depending on what your expectations are, sending your child to camp can be a very affordable enrichment option. According to the ACA, there is a wide range of price options available that depend on the choice of camp, the facilities offered and your camper’s needs. For budgeting purposes, parents can plan on an average day camp fee of around $43 per day and an average residential camp fee of around $85 a day. Remember that camp fees may be tax deductible as childcare expense. Ask your tax advisor to see if you qualify.

3) What are my child’s interests?

“There are traditional camp experiences that include campfires, telling camp stories and lots of free, unstructured play,” says Smith. “There are also specialty camps that offer martial arts or swimming for example, as a way to sample a sport before making a longer commitment. Offer your child a few options to choose from as a way to find out what new interests he may have.”

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

9

4) Where can I find out about all the options?

Whether it’s traditional day camp, specialty camps or residential camps, there are lots of options available. Visit the CharlottesvilleFamily.com Online Summer Camp Fair for lots of information about local camps.

You can also visit campparents.org and click on “Find a Camp.”

5) What’s an average day like?

Science

Camp Watonka Boys 8 - 16 In the Poconos at Hawley, PA Offering qualified instruction and laboratory work in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, ecology, electronics, geology, physics, photography, robotics and rocketry.

The sciences are incorporated into a fun filled, camper selected program that also includes archery, arts and crafts, climbing, mini-bike riding, riflery, sailing, swimming, tennis, trips, windsurfing, woodworking, ropes, etc. Private Lake. American Camp Association accredited.

2, 4, 6 and 8 week sessions.

The daily schedules of each weeklong day camp vary. Some run from early morning until late afternoon (with extended day care, if desired). Others offer a combination of half-day or full-day sessions. At a residential camp, you can send your child for the entire summer or select a few weeks here and there.

www.watonka.com • mail@watonka.com • Phone: (570) 857-1401 For catalog write: D. Wacker, PO Box 127 Hawley, PA 18428

6) Whose camping experience is it anyway?

LOOking FOr mOre Camp resOurCes? Visit the CF Online Camp Fair at CharlottesvilleFamily.com 10

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

“Too often we get kids in camps that their mom or dad wanted them to attend,” says camp counselor Shawn. “I can’t stress enough the importance of choosing camp activities that your child is interested in,” he adds. “If your daughter doesn’t want to play soccer, you’re better off enrolling her in a different camping experience. Everyone will be much happier by the time the end of the summer rolls around.” (cont’d on page 14)

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

11

Blue Ridge School

Camp Friendship

Camp Alleghany Camp Hidden Meadows

St. Margaret’s School Wilson School of Dance

55

58

57

56 59

Charlottesville Ballet

69

iD Tech

70

81/82

71

83

72

84

73

61

74/75

62

60

54

76

63

Camp Roanoke

64

Tutor Doctor

Exhibit Hall Annex ,

Camp Rim Rock

Exhibit Hall Annex

WingetHernandez, P.C.

Live Arts 49 Living Earth School 15 Massanutten Military Academy 43 McCallie Summer Camp 24 Mid-Atlantic Bath Solutions, Bath Fitter 74/75 Monticello Education Summer Adventures 16 Mountaintop Montessori Summer Programs 17/18 Oakland School 20 Piedmont Regional Education Program 67 Rocky Top Climbing 54 Science Camp Watonka 39 Scott Wagner Chiropractic & Sports Medicine 42 SOCA (Soccer Organization Charlottesville Area) 30 Spectrum Summer Programs at Tandem Friends School 37 St. Anne’s-Belfield School 28 St. Margaret’s School 56 Timber Ridge Camp 51 Triple C Camp 13/14 Tutor Doctor 70 UpLevel Martial Arts 45 UVA Intramural-Recreation Sports 38 Village School Summer Camp for Girls 23 Virginia Discovery Museum 80 Virginia Festival of the Book 68 Virginia Polo 41 Virginia529 College Savings Plan 19 Wilderness Adventures at Eagle Landing 25 Wilson School of Dance 60 Winget-Hernandez, P.C. 72 YMCA Camp Harrison 73 YMCA Camp Silver Beach 44

YMCA Camp Harrison

4-H 61 Aligned Clinical and Educational Services 78 ALOHA Mind Math/ Reading/Writing 50 ATA Leadership Martial Arts 79 Blue Ridge Discovery Center 40 Blue Ridge Family Dentistry 34 Blue Ridge Irish Music School 62 Blue Ridge School Summer Programs 58 Boar’s Head Sports Club & Birdwood

52/53 Bounce Play-n-Create 5 Boy Scouts 63 Bright Beginnings Preschool 33 Camp Alleghany, Inc. 55 Camp Friendship 57 Camp Hidden Meadows 59 Camp Holiday Trails 64 Camp Horizons 22 Camp Invention 35 Camp Rim Rock 71 Camp Roanoke 69 Camp Twin Creeks 48 Challenge Island Charlottesville 46 Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA 47 Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART) 65 Charlottesville Ballet 83 Click! Flash! Photo Booth 6 Curemark 36 Ferrum College Summer Enrichment Camp 12 First Tee of the Virginia Blue Ridge 21 Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline 66 Gow School Summer Program 29 Greenstone Adventures 31/32 iD Tech 84 KidsCollege@PVCC 77 Light House Studio 76

Mid-Atlantic Bath Solutions

Exhibitors

Rocky Top Climbing

77

80

78

Virginia Discovery Museum

79

Media Sponsors WVIR-TV NBC 29 - 9 Z95.1 Charlottesville Radio Group - 8

Light House Studio

Silver Level Child Development Laboratories at UVA - 26/27 The Little Gym - 10/11 Ben & Jerry’s - 81/82

KidsCollege @ PVCC

Gold Level ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers - 2 Piedmont Family YMCA - 3 Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital - 7 Vit-Hit by Pepsi - 4

Aligned Clinical & Educational Services

CharlottesvilleFamily - 1

ATA Leadership Martial Arts

Sponsors

9 NBC29

, Restrooms Hallway Exhibitors* (see directory at left)

,

Lobby

68

67

66

65

8

4-H Blue Ridge Irish Music School Boy Scouts Camp Holiday Trails Girl Scouts Piedmont Regional Education Program Virginia Festival of the Book Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy

Information Lost & Found & Door Prizes!

43

44

45

46

Virginia Polo

Scott Wagner Chiropractic & Sports Medicine

Massanutten Military Academy

YMCA Camp Silver Beach

UpLevel Martial Arts

Challenge Island Charlottesville

UVA IntramuralRecreation Sports

Curemark

36

Camp Invention

Blue Ridge Family Dentistry

35

34

37

29

30

31/32

33

St. Anne’s-Belfields Summer Programs

The Gow School Summer Program

SOCA

Greenstone Adventures

Bright Beginnings

26/27

39

Village School Summer Camp for Girls

25

24

23

Camp Horizons

First Tee of Charlottesville

Oakland School

20

Virginia529 College Savings Plan

15

16

17/18

Ferrum College Summer Enrichment Camp

Triple C Camp

The Living Earth School

Monticello Summer Adventures

Mountaintop Montessori Summer Programs

1

2

19

52/53

21

13/14

10/11

22

12

51

McCallie Summer Camp

Boar’s Head Sports Club

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing

Timber Ridge Camp

Exhibit Hall

50

ALOHA Mind Math/Reading/ Writing

38

28

40

49

Spectrum Summer Programs at Tandem Friends

Live Arts

Science Camp Watonka

48

Camp Twin Creeks

Blue Ridge Discovery Center

47

42

CharlottesvilleAlbemarle SPCA

41

3 Piedmont Family YMCA

4

Sponsor Pavilion CLICK! FLASH! Photo Booth

n d !

Charlottesville

Balloon Station

Main Entrance

7

Welcome Table

Bumble’s Campground Fun Zone

6

Bounce Play-n-Create

5

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

13

YOUTH summer Lessons

Swim Tennis June 12- July 21

IMMING’ W

MMER SU

S

S

May 22- June 15

TE

COOL

N NIS

7) Can your camper use more exercise?

Summer camp is a chance to move your child away from video and computer games and introduce him or her to a new sport — maybe one that will hold their interest throughout the year. According to Smith, 63 percent of campers who learn a new activity continue with it after camp ends. “Campers use this opportunity to get outside, turn off all those electronic devices and reconnect with nature.” Smith adds, “It’s a chance to see if your child can develop a jump shot or learn to pirouette.”

Register Now! recsports.virginia.edu 434.924.3791 INTRAMURAL-RECREATIONAL SPORTS

8) Why is it important for the camp to be accredited?

Accredited camps have met the industry requirements in the key aspects of camp operation, program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. These camps comply with appropriate standards and counselor/camper ratios. To find out if a camp is accredited, visit campparents.org and click on “Find a Camp” or call 800-428-2267. (cont’d on page 18)

14

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

15

! n u F o Exp

Visit

BUMBLE’S D CAMPGROUN

games for awesome and lots to do ens! for kids and te

r e v O $ ,000 in 1Door Prizes!

Beats Solo HD Headphones

Making a Camp Care Package • Card games like Uno • Stationery & stamps • Photos of pets & family • Drawings created by For kids at sleep-away camp, care packages are just that — a little reminder that the folks back home are thinking about them. Sending a box full of their favorite goodies would be easy enough, but since most camps discourage sending sweets, check out the following suggestions (some practical, some fun) for ensuring a happy camper.

Timing is essential when it comes to mailing items to a camper. Many camps will provide parents directions on where, when and how to send mail to its participants.

Follow these directions as closely as possible to avoid late or misdirected packages. Keep in mind that camp mail must often be sorted and transported to the campers — an added step that may add a day or two to the U.S. Postal delivery time. Make sure to mail the first care package ahead of time so it is there when you’re camper arrives!

younger siblings or friends • Batteries • Word jumble puzzles • Toothbrush • An MP3 player loaded with a playlist of your child’s favorite songs • An audio recording of you or the entire family • Favorite stuffed animal • A journal • A paperback book or some magazines • Stickers • Temporary tattoos • Bug spray • Lip balm • Travel size shampoo, lotion or other toiletries

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

17

9) What else can my child learn at camp?

There’s another kind of education that goes on at camp says Christopher Thurber, author of The Summer Camp Handbook. It’s a place for kids to “relax and learn life skills — such as making friends and playing fair — that will serve them and the people whose lives they touch.” Thurber adds, “At camp, young people bond with positive adult role models whose integrity and leadershipby-example tower over those of celebrities or sports heroes.

High-quality camps are places where young people not only realize their potential in athletic or artistic pursuits; they realize their potential to do good in the world.”

18

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

10) Will My Camper Have Fun? “Fun should rule during June, July and August,” reminds Counselor Shawn. Even though parents want every experience for their children to be worthwhile and educational, its important to remember that it’s summertime, and there’s a lot of learning that happens while you’re having fun.

Award-winning freelance writer Claire Yezbak Fadden is the mother of a former camp counselor.

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

19

Bloom

TM

Family’s

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

mag azin e

Local Moms Making Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun!

16th annual

camp guide

7 spring break daytrips

Happy Tale of A Rescue Pup

Kids’ Crafts for Spring!

March 2016 • Free

Looking for More Info About Camp?

American Camp Association

The Summer Camp Survival Guide: Cool

The Summer Camp Handbook.

acacamps.org

Games, Camp Classics, and How to

Everything You Need to Find,

Capture the Flag by Chris Pallatto,

Choose and Get Ready

National Camp Association

Ron De Fazio and Ethan Long (2010,

for Overnight Camp —

summercamp.org

Sterling)

and Skip the Homesickness

by Christopher A. Thurber, Ph.D. and Jon

Check CharlottesvilleFamily.com for

C. Malinowski, Ph.D. (2000, Perspective

our comprehensive Online Summer

Publishing)

Camp Fair.

DON’T FORGET TO STOP BY FOR MORE FUN! 22

CharlottesvilleFamily.com

A big “Thank you!” to this year’s sponsors!

Ivy Publications, LLC www.ivypublications.com (434) 984-4713 • sales@ivypublications.com Copyright ©2017. All rights reserved.