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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
7 Hidden Benefits of Summer Camp for Both Kids and Parents
The school year is just about ending, if not over for most families. That means summer camp is starting. For many families, including my own, camp will begin just a few days after the last day of school. It seems like just yesterday it was the last day of camp, when we went home sunburnt, tired, and ready for a two-week-long nap—and then, school started again. But the six-hour days of games, adventure, and fun, and equally important, community building, enrichment, and socializing are now on the horizon once again. My family and I are ready: backpacks stuffed with bathing suits, swim goggles, swim shoes, towels, tubes of sunblock, water bottles, and many other must-haves. I am a camp parent, and I work at my children's camp. There are so many hidden benefits of summer camp for both parents and kids. For more than 70 years, the JCC Camps in Medford, where my children attend, have served families in Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. Camps like the JCC are in demand, and day camps make up over 5,600 camps in America. However, that number is even greater when adding year-round camps. Data shows camps welcomed 26 million campers in 2024, as per the American Camp Association, a national organization that serves more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps in the U.S. Organized camp in America goes back to 1861, starting with the Gunnery Camp in Connecticut. Clearly, going to camp, either during the summer or all year, is a part of the American identity. Much of the popularity of summer camp comes from the experiences kids have, the bonds they make, and the new skills they learn over the summer. Here are just some of the benefits for kids. While the everyday amenities at summer camps are vital for campers' experiences, programs have been developed for children and teens of various ages that focus on a range of activities and learning. According to the American Camp Association, camps have been adding programs to their line-up of offerings. The top three types of programs include adventure programs that include challenge courses, zip lines, backpacking, mountain biking, etc., and then: family camps, new nature programs, gardening, cooking, wellness/fitness, and STEM programs. Camps give kids the opportunity to try something new that they might not have the time or resources to do during the busy school year. Learning new things and interacting with peers offers growth for both campers and staff. To be even more specific, the American Camp Association divides these benefits into four developmental categories: Positive Identity, Social Skills, Physical & Thinking Skills, and Positive Values & Spirituality For example, developing social skills builds leadership, friendship, social comfort, and peer relationship skills. This summer camp season, I am a supervisor where I oversee counselors who manage groups or 'bunks' of around ten campers each. I witness firsthand how campers and counselors grow in all of the areas listed above—so much so, I base my evaluations on a similar criterion. Camp is also a microcosm of our real world. The skills campers and counselors employ every day at camp, like problem management or 'peer relationship skills,' are the exact same skills our schools and workforces are requiring for students and future employees. In some cases, camp is an opportunity to experience and develop spiritual and cultural values. At the JCC Camps in Medford, we also connect spiritually and culturally with Jewish values. While any camp will always focus on growth, development, and community building, the JCC Camps also celebrate Jewish life, traditions, like Shabbat. Campers do not have to be Jewish to attend, but Jewish culture is tethered to the camp experience. My children, who are Jewish by heritage but are not practicing, have learned so much about our roots through camp, from singing the HaMotzi (blessing over bread), eating challah during Shabbat, and exploring new themes each week of the summer through games, stories, arts and crafts, cooking, theater, and music. More importantly, though, camp values, regardless of religion, can likely be found at every camp: a sense of togetherness, self-growth, and learning a variety of skills needed in all aspects of life. Whether you send your kids off to camp for the day, week, or the whole summer—or, like me, work at camp—there are several benefits for parents of campers, too. When children begin their summer break, parents can be both elated and stressed. Every day care for our children, depending on parents' work schedules, can be an obstacle that many parents struggle to manage. Camp can give parents a needed break, whether it's a day camp or a sleepaway camp. If the pandemic taught parents one thing, it was that occupying our children with activities, attention, and learning while also working our jobs is no easy task. Families send their children to camp for lots of reasons, one being child care. As the cost-of-living increases, many two-working-parent households still have demanding jobs, like my sister and brother-in-law, who are attorneys and cannot simply 'keep their kids at home.' In my experience as a camp employee, many staff are full-time teachers or work in school-related professions, like school nurses. Working at a summer camp is the perfect commitment because, like the campers, our schedules are aligned: we end school, and then we start camp together. Working at camp has allowed me not only to provide financially for my family, but also to support my children while they have, quite frankly, the best days of their summer. In college, I worked at the JCC Camps in Medford and ultimately became a better teacher because of my time there. Fast forward, now as a teacher and parent, I am unburdened by summer employment and summer childcare anxiety. Rather than having to save for summer expenses or teaching various classes and sending our children to summer daycare, my wife and I realized that a camp dad has been one of the best decisions we've made as parents. We have found a way to do both: Dad works at camp with us; Dad drives us to camp; Dad checks in on us at camp. Dad takes us home from camp. We get to spend every day with Dad. I balance the responsibilities equally, supervisor and a dad. This means I get to experience all of their experiences with them. Sometimes, I'm right next to them, or sometimes watching from a distance. I love seeing my children swimming in the pool, their swim caps bobbing in and out of the water, seeing them play kickball on an open field, the whack of the ball against their foot and the cheers of their team while lapping bases, seeing my children at lunch, passing food around the table (Bourekas), smiling and socializing, seeing my children be kids and make memories. Being a man and a father at camp has increased my ability to support and engage with campers. Men and dads are understaffed in camp settings and in the majority of child care environments, including schools, where men make up 3% of teachers. Being a camp dad or just a young man is instrumental in shaping children for the future, being role models for boys and girls alike. When I'm at camp and kneeling in the dirt eye to eye with a camper that needs support, when I'm trying to comfort them, using my toolbox of thinking skills and positive values, I recognize that this is important work, regardless of whether the camper is my child or yours. In those mornings after I drop my kids off at their bunk, I settle under a large wooden pavilion, and campers mosey in from the bus yard, giant backpacks like turtle shells dangling off their shoulders, marching in like ants. They shout over each other—a madness of chatter that I can't comprehend, just clusters of kids excited to see each other. I walk around camp, checking on counselors, their bunks, and kids and staff. I see my children, and I know that there is a happiness here that people can't fully appreciate unless they've experienced it, if they've been a 'camp kid' or have had their camp kid come home defeated in pure joy. What I arrive at as a camp dad is that after those eight weeks of summer camp, I hope that my children are filled with a security that their dad will always be there for them—that maybe they'll walk through the rest of their lives with that comfort, and they'll remember their summers—this camp, those days with memories tied to a forever-happiness, tied to me, tied to the love of their dad. When we're in the car driving home after a long day, I notice how sweaty and even a little smelly they are, with their hair still damp from the pool or the sun. They're dirty, with grass and dirt wedged under their nails, and their tongues are stained blue from ice pops. They can barely keep their eyes open as the cool breeze of a summer evening flows through the car. We sit in a comfortable silence, listening to the katydids singing as they carry us home. In that moment, I know in my heart, my bones, and my gut that whatever they did that day at camp was the best day ever. Read the original article on Parents
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Costco solves key problem for parents
Being a parent is no easy feat - especially when you have multiple kids or you're trying to hold down a job simultaneously. It's for this reason that summertime can be both a blessing and a curse for parents. On the one hand, it's nice to get a break from things like supervising homework and rushing children to after-school activities. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter On the other hand, once school takes a break for summer, many parents have a huge problem. Related: Growing retailer's return policy beats Costco's by a mile During that two-month stretch, parents need a way to keep their kids busy so they don't go stir crazy (and, where applicable, interrupt the workday). But the cost of summer camp has become downright unaffordable for so many people. On average, parents are looking at $73 to $87 per day for summer camp, according to the American Camp Association. At a time when parents are also grappling with the impact of inflation, that's a cost many families can't swing. Image source: Bronstein/Getty Images Costco has long come to the rescue for parents who struggle to cover the many expenses that come with raising kids. At the infant stage, parents can turn to Costco for low-cost diapers, wipes, and other essential items needed to get through those challenging years. Related: Trader Joe's makes a customer service decision Costco won't Then, as kids get older, Costco becomes a great source of clothing, footwear, outerwear, and toys. Plus, Costco makes it easy for parents who are on a budget to feed their kids without breaking the bank. The store's bulk discounts on everything from dairy products to meat to produce can save parents a bundle. And as every parent knows, if there's one food item in constant need of replenishing, it's snacks. It's typically way cheaper to buy a case of Costco chips or popcorn than to purchase those items in smaller quantities at a regular supermarket. In some parts of the country, the school year is about to come to a close. And a lot of parents are still scrambling to figure out what to do with their children for weeks on end. Enter Costco's latest find - the H2OGO! Whales 'n Waves Kids Inflatable Mega Water Park. Suitable for children ages five and up, this backyard waterpark could provide kids with hours of daily fun, not to mention make it easy to beat the heat. Related: Costco shares a new take on food court favorites The waterpark setup includes two built-in sprayers, a large splash pool, a climbing wall, and an enclosed water slide. And the best part? The set includes a blower that inflates this magic contraption in just two minutes. Although the product is new to Costco, it's already getting rave reviews on the company's website. "This waterpark has given my kids endless hours of fun so far," one customer wrote. "This has definitely been worth it," wrote another, noting that the setup was "super easy." More retail: Walmart CEO sounds alarm on a big problem for customersTarget makes a change that might scare Walmart, CostcoTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers Now at an online price of $379.99 (in-store prices can vary), this backyard waterpark isn't cheap. But compared to the cost of camp, it's a bargain, even if it only lasts a single summer. And for parents of young kids especially, the idea of setting their children up in the backyard may be far more appealing than hauling a gaggle of children over to an actual waterpark and having to make sure they don't get lost. So it's easy to call this product a solid investment in summertime entertainment and parental sanity. Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation supports the American Camp Association (ACA) with Grants to Strengthen Camp-School Partnerships
MARTINSVILLE, Ind., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Camp Association (ACA) is proud to announce a $500,000 grant initiative, made possible by the generous support of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation, part of SMBC Group. The Camp-School Partnership Project will award one-year grants to qualifying nonprofit camps during the summers of 2025 and 2026. This initiative is designed to help camps expand their capacity to implement and sustain high-quality programming in collaboration with schools, districts, and other community-based partners. The goal: to increase access to meaningful camp experiences for youth, particularly in communities that have historically lacked access to such opportunities. "ACA's research shows that camp-school partnerships (CSPs) are a proven strategy in getting children to camp who otherwise would not attend," said Henry DeHart, ACA interim president/CEO. "The support of SMBC Global Foundation for this initiative is paramount in helping camps reach more children. Students participating in CSPs often leave camp with lasting memories of their experience which can, in turn, be leveraged to support their classroom learning." For summer 2025, ACA is awarding $280,000 to eight outstanding organizations. This year's grant cycle saw a highly competitive pool, with nearly 120 applications and 40 finalists. The following recipients were selected: Fiver Children's Foundation (NY) Guided Discoveries (CA) Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco — Camp Mendocino (CA) Camp Herrlich (NY) Camp Abilities Tucson (AZ) Camp CENergy (TX) Camp Fire Long Beach (CA) Princeton-Blairstown Center (NY) Grants will directly support programming that reaches an estimated 550 campers each summer, with a focus on youth from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The next application window, for summer 2026, will open in fall 2025. ACA encourages applications from camps nationwide, with priority consideration given to those serving youth in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas — communities where SMBC employees live and work. The SMBC Global Foundation, in addition to supporting Camp-School Partnership, is also supporting camperships at camps mentioned in the above regions to increase access to meaningful camp experiences. For more information about the Camp-School Partnership Project, visit About the American Camp Association The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps in the US who annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp's voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit or call 800-428-2267. About SMBC Group SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 150 offices and 120,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada, Ltd., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit View original content: SOURCE American Camp Association
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation supports the American Camp Association (ACA) with Grants to Strengthen Camp-School Partnerships
MARTINSVILLE, Ind., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Camp Association (ACA) is proud to announce a $500,000 grant initiative, made possible by the generous support of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation, part of SMBC Group. The Camp-School Partnership Project will award one-year grants to qualifying nonprofit camps during the summers of 2025 and 2026. This initiative is designed to help camps expand their capacity to implement and sustain high-quality programming in collaboration with schools, districts, and other community-based partners. The goal: to increase access to meaningful camp experiences for youth, particularly in communities that have historically lacked access to such opportunities. "ACA's research shows that camp-school partnerships (CSPs) are a proven strategy in getting children to camp who otherwise would not attend," said Henry DeHart, ACA interim president/CEO. "The support of SMBC Global Foundation for this initiative is paramount in helping camps reach more children. Students participating in CSPs often leave camp with lasting memories of their experience which can, in turn, be leveraged to support their classroom learning." For summer 2025, ACA is awarding $280,000 to eight outstanding organizations. This year's grant cycle saw a highly competitive pool, with nearly 120 applications and 40 finalists. The following recipients were selected: Fiver Children's Foundation (NY) Guided Discoveries (CA) Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco — Camp Mendocino (CA) Camp Herrlich (NY) Camp Abilities Tucson (AZ) Camp CENergy (TX) Camp Fire Long Beach (CA) Princeton-Blairstown Center (NY) Grants will directly support programming that reaches an estimated 550 campers each summer, with a focus on youth from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The next application window, for summer 2026, will open in fall 2025. ACA encourages applications from camps nationwide, with priority consideration given to those serving youth in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas — communities where SMBC employees live and work. The SMBC Global Foundation, in addition to supporting Camp-School Partnership, is also supporting camperships at camps mentioned in the above regions to increase access to meaningful camp experiences. For more information about the Camp-School Partnership Project, visit About the American Camp Association The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps in the US who annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp's voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit or call 800-428-2267. About SMBC Group SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 150 offices and 120,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada, Ltd., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit View original content: SOURCE American Camp Association
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy prepares for summer camp programs
The frigid weather outside is making us crave the summer. It will be here before we know it and now's the time to research and register your kids for camp. With costs rising across the board, know that options are out there to find the right summer camp that fits your budget. Frick Park is looking barren with snow right now, but soon enough it will be filled with kids at the environmental center's camp in Squirrel Hill. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Director of Advancement Alana Wenk said parents should start booking as early as possible. "We're excited to bring camp back for another year. It's one of our most beloved programs that we offer here," Wenk said. "It's really important to get kids in these programs, they can continue building connections with one another, having that sense of community whenever they're not in their typical school programs." As registration opens Wednesday, spots will fill up fast, within a couple of weeks, for the sessions that start in June and run through August for kids ages four through eighth graders. In 2024, they had 300 campers. Typically, they're able to offer 30 of them scholarships called camperships, for income eligible families. The regular cost of camp ranges from $140 to $340, depending on the camp and the number of days selected. "We really try to keep our camp price accessible, but we also recognize that maybe those prices still aren't attainable for some families," Wenk said. According to Sawyer, a camp registration and management software, in 2024 camp providers increased their prices by 23 percent from 2023. The company also found that sessions book up at many camps during the first few months of the year. The American Camp Association said most camps offer some sort of financial support and recommends parents ask programs what scholarships and other special discounts they may offer. They'll want to book early for the best deals. Parents can also check to see if they're eligible for the child and dependent care tax credit and flexible spending accounts for dependent care. For Frick Park, know that tuition is a donation to the conservancy, a nonprofit, which can provide an additional tax write off. Registrations are also currently open for camps with the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and JCC. here.
