There Is No Place Like Camp: A Camp Director's Guide for Parents

By Ken Glotzer

"During one particular tour . . .
I was showing the camp to a lovely couple with two children. We passed the skateboard park/tennis courts/soccer area to get to the boating/fishing center. As I explained to the parents our boating program, a magnificent hawk appeared over our heads on the boating dock, and at the same time, a beautiful swan swam to almost meet us, and as we turned around two majestic deer stopped in their tracks frightened to see us . . .
We waited a little bit, amazed at the natural beauty of it all; we walked up the trail and ten turkeys startled us all!
Both parents quipped to me at the same time . . . can I go to camp too?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 6, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456824501

Ken Glotzer

For almost four decades, Ken Glotzer has directed camps in the New York State region. He has directed three major camps (presently director of Day Camp in the Park) and has been involved in international camping, bringing campers from China, Japan, Korea, Spain, France, and Russia to America. He was the youngest camp director to lead a camp through the full American Camp Association accreditation process (at the age of nineteen). For thirty- four years, he was also a teacher, department chairman, and principal . Over his many years in schools and camps, he has hired thousands of employees and interviewed thousands and thousands of parents. Recently retired from his educational career in 2009, he wrote (with Dr. Ruth Greenblatt) the first fully accredited online master’s program in camp administration and leadership in American history. He has been married to his beloved wife, Karen, an editor, a poet, and contributor to this book, for the past thirty years and has three children, Leia, Heather, and Paul. Special thanks to his incredible administrative team—Stu Fliesser, Paul Finkelstein, Andrew Verebes and the incredible guidance and wisdom from Dr. Jay Sexter. Naturally, my counselors and specialists deserve most of the credit for providing a wonderful camp experience for children over the past four decades.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Ken Glotzer.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2010917821

ISBN: Hardcover    978-1-4568-2449-5

ISBN: Softcover      978-1-4568-2448-8

ISBN: Ebook           978-1-4568-2450-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Xlibris Corporation

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www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Most Frequently Asked Questions by Parents (for Day Camp)

List of Camp Sports, Games, and Activities (Parents should expect a lot of these activities)

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to my amazing administrative team—Stu Fliesser, Paul Finkelstein, Andrew Verebes, Karen Glotzer, and to Dr. Jay Sexter for his incredible guidance and wisdom. A special thank you to Norman Friedman (Skier Insurance Agency) who has dedicated his life to making sure that children are safe in camp.

Naturally, my counselors and specialists deserve most of the credit for providing a wonderful camp experience for children over the last generation.

Foreword

Millions of children go to camp every summer. Most parents choose a camp by asking a neighbor or a friend, by attending a camp fair, by Googling a camp, or by responding to a local magazine or newspaper advertisement. Most parents have a basic understanding of camp life. However, many parents went to camp decades ago, and camp, like everything in our lives, has changed dramatically.

My hope is that after reading this book, through stories and anecdotes, parents will gain a greater understanding of the camp experience in contemporary America. Parents will learn the necessary camp acumen so they will be able to choose an appropriate camp for their child. I started directing camps in 1973, and a lot has changed since that time! Also, I trust that this book will serve as a realistic guide for parents that are going through this process of choosing an appropriate camp for their child for the first time.

I am very biased, for I believe parents must send their children to camp. Camp prepares children to be secure, confident, and productive citizens. Camp allows them to fulfill their potential. It is the only place in our hypertexted, nanosecond existence, where children are nurtured and protected by mature adults 24/7, totally committed to meeting the physical, social, and emotional well-being of their clients. Camp (ACA camps—certified by the American Camp Association) is the only institution in America where our children are taught physical skills (sports, hiking, swimming, etc.), aesthetic appreciation (music, nature, drama, dance, etc), and social skills (making friends and networking) and are changed dramatically for the better, forever!

By developing the physical, aesthetic, and social-networking skills in a safe, secure haven, children develop self-confidence and a keen sense of self-worth. The scourge of bullying is mitigated greatly by the adult supervision at camp and the development of these lifelong skills.

Equally important, camp life develops memories for children to cherish forever. Another major goal of this book (besides helping parents gain a greater understanding of modern-day camp) is to prepare parents to work with camp officials. With this new understanding, parents will be able to guide their children wisely and maximize the camp experience. Each chapter will provide a particular insight and, hopefully, a greater appreciation for the goals and aspirations that camp directors have for your children. With more intimate knowledge, parents can become the consummate guides in helping their children prepare and enjoy this life-altering experience—modern camp life!

Chapter 1

Why I Wrote this Book. . . for All Parents

He was barely three feet tall and no more than thirty-five pounds. I