Although the temperature is dropping and the leaves are starting to turn, now is the perfect time to book a sleepaway camp for your kids. But finding the right camp for their interests and personality can be a significant challenge.
That’s where The Camp Connection – a free summer camp matchmaking service with 40 years’ experience – enters the picture.
“There are a lot of choices out there, and if you go on an internet search it’s very overwhelming,” said Susan Pecker, a camp advisor with The Camp Connection for two decades. The Camp Connection simplifies the process by curating a list of camps that are specifically tailored to your family’s needs.
The Camp Connection takes a personalized approach by speaking directly to parents. “I speak to parents over the phone to try to get an idea of what their child is like, what their interests are, their personality, and then I ask the parents questions about what their objectives are,” said Pecker.
After presenting a shortlist of their recommendations, The Camp Connection continues to refine and consider the options until the family selects the one that’s right for them. “We eliminate a lot of the guesswork,” she said.
Perhaps the best part for families is that this service is completely free – there’s no financial obligation for parents following the consultation and throughout the process.
The Camp Connection specializes in sleepaway camps for children and teens and represents more than 700 programs. The camps are located throughout the U.S. and even internationally, with themes that range from sports to the arts to STEM. During the summer, when camps are in session, The Camp Connection team visits the camps, talks to campers, and observes the overall camp culture. On the off season, Susan and the team constantly meet with directors/owners to keep up to date on changes and updates in programming, facilities, and more.
The Camp Connection puts so much effort into researching the camps because they know that camp can be a formative experience for kids. “Sleepaway camp allows the child to navigate so many things on their own,” she said. “There are responsibilities at camp, it gives a child a chance to learn who they are without all the pressures of school and home.”
It’s common for kids to be hesitant about going away to camp at first, but then end up extending their stay for a longer period the following year. “The best compliment is when you start with a child when they’re seven years old, and then they end up going back to the same camp for the next seven years,” said Pecker. “Helping to create that great experience is very satisfying.”
The Camp Connection can be contacted by phone at (914) 273-8010 or email at susan@thecampconnection.com.
