LilSugar

5 Cool Camps For Adventurous Kids

Natasha Dantzig — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:42:13 PST

Ninety-two days until Summer! The dog days of Summer may seem far off, but that last school bell will ring before you know it and mama needs something to keep the kids occupied while class is out of session. Keep reading for five extra awesome Summer camps for curious tots.

Mommy Dearest: Do I Need to Tip All of the Counselors

babysugar — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:00:17 PDT

Mommy Dearest –

Camp season is drawing to a close this week and the topic of discussion at the bus stop this morning turned to tipping the counselors. It is my son's first year at camp and I hadn't realized that the counselors needed to be tipped. All of the parents agreed to a set amount per child (the camp, apparently, doesn't have any guidelines about this) but my son was closer with some counselors more than others. Would it be OK for me to just tip the ones he liked? Otherwise, we are looking at another $200 on top of what I paid for camp!

– Testing the Tipping Rules

To see Mommy Dearest's response,

read more. Dear Testing the Tipping Rules – There is more than one reason parents often dread the end of the Summer – and it doesn't have to do with the kids being home with no activities before school starts. If your camp does not have any set guidelines about tipping, it really is up to you to decide who, if anyone, should be rewarded. That said, it is highly likely that the counselors will compare what they received and from whom they received it. If you have any intention of sending your son back to the camp next Summer, you are best off tipping all of his counselors – you never know who will be leading his group next year! – Mommy Dearest Have a question you need answered? Submit it to the Mommy Dearest Group in our Lil Community.

Last Minute Options For Luxury Kid Campers

babysugar — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:00:00 PDT

Summer may be halfway over, but mamas still looking for the activities to keep their lil ones busy are in luck. Many luxury resorts are providing guests with more than swanky pools and five star service right now – they're offering tots week-long programs that will make lasting impressions. From cheerleading classes taught by world-famous cheering squads to an environmental adventure, these five camps will keep adventurous kids busy during the last weeks before school. But interested parents must act fast – this is the last week to sign up for several of the programs!

Do You Have Good Memories From Summer Camp?

TresSugar — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:00:34 PDT

Malia Obama will trade the White House for a cabin this Summer as she heads to sleepaway camp for the first time. The 12-year-old first daughter will be away from home for a month, joined by the familiar company of several Secret Service agents. This sounds like a plot for a Disney movie.

Spending time away from your family at camp is a coming-of-age experience. Last weekend I caught This American Life's notes on Summer camp. On the NPR radio program, adults shared memories of camp days gone by, and kids explained how their noncamp friends and family could never understand that camp was the most important thing in their lives - ever.

I am definitely a camp person: as a Girl Scout, I spent Summers at overnight camps and loved all the songs I learned, the counselors I admired, and the friends I made. If you went to sleepaway camp, what good experiences do you recall?

Mommy Dearest: Crying at Summer Camp

LilSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:00:34 PDT

Mommy Dearest,

When I dropped my preschool-aged son off at camp this morning, another child was crying inconsolably in a counselor's lap. Several staffers attempted to calm him to no avail. The commotion distracted several other kids who needed to say good-bye to their parents. After 10 minutes of my son clinging to my leg as the other child wailed, I told the camp director that the child was upsetting the other kids and it was a good idea to remove him from the room or to call his parents and ask them to come help. She told me this was part of the tot's daily routine and they were doing their best to comfort him. I found the whole situation upsetting and really wanted to call the director to discuss the matter in more detail, but my husband told me to keep to myself. What would you have done?

– Concerned By Cry Baby

To see the response from Mommy Dearest,

read more. Concerned By Cry Baby, Every child deals with separation differently and while this child seemed to have a hard time, it sounds like the camp staff had a kind and comforting approach to dealing with his upset. That would certainly make me feel good about leaving my preschooler in their care. As mothers, we never know when the day will come when our own child is the one sobbing or throwing a fit so I'd simply have some compassion for the tot and accept the director's answer. How would you feel if parents called in complaints on your kiddo? -Mommy Dearest Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Tasty Care Packages For Hungry Campers

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Treats are sweet! Camp food is often mocked so surprising your camper with some treats throughout his stay will be a welcome break from the cafeteria line. Think about your youngster's favorite snacks and bundle them up in some creative packaging before sending them off. This week's release of the new Harry Potter movie has inspired a line of themed candies to accompany the flick while giant cookie cakes, tins of pretzels, and silly wax lips will be hit with your camper's cabin mates. Just be sure to check with your camp before sending anything – many camps have strict package policies regarding edible gifts.

Source: Raquette Lake Camps

Retro Care Packages For the Happy Camper

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:30:00 PDT

Flashback to Summers past. Many parents fund their kid's camp experience because they have their own fond memories of sitting around the fire. Give your child a taste of what cabin life was like for you as a camper with some retro-inspired toys that will keep them busy during their down time. Silly Putty and Rubik's Cubes keep hands and minds moving while a Magic Eight Ball allows them to dole out advice to their bunkmates.

Source: Camp Saginaw

MAGIC 8 BALL ($10)	TRIX LIP BALM ($3)
Silly String Spray Streamer Assortment ($3)	Micro Pocket Spray Fan Mister ($3)
Silly Putty ($4)	Rubik's Cube ($7)

Care Packages For the Earth-Conscience Camper

LilSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:05 PDT

If you want your kid to be a happy camper, send him or her a care package! Children enjoy the sports, budding friendships, and freedom that Summer camp has to offer, but most don't mind having a little something from home mailed to them every so often either. Postcards and letters are great for keeping kids informed of family news, but most mothers like to send something that makes more of a statement. If your youngster is attending a wilderness adventure or is an environmentalist, consider eco-friendly treats. Earth-conscious cards, temporary henna tattoos, and sports equipment made from recycled materials are green items sure to entertain you kiddos and their cabin mates.

Earth Friendly Fair Trade Soccer Ball ($35)	Henna Tattoos (Temporary Tattoos) ($2)
Family Pak BugBand Wristbands ($15)	52 Ways to Make a Difference ($4)
E-Racer Suzuka Bamboo Car ($18)	No Battery Eco-Rocket ($29)

Wee Are the World: Hole in the Wall Gang Camps

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:00:01 PDT

Lots of parents take shuttling their youngsters off to camp for granted. But for other moms and pops, the prospect of their seriously ill tots enjoying one of life's simple pleasures is a dream.

Twenty years ago the late actor Paul Newman opened the first Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut to give children with a variety of illnesses the opportunity to experience athletics, arts and crafts and theater while camping under the watchful eye of specially trained counselors and themed medical centers. At the camp, lil ones are not treated any differently than healthy kids. Through the sale of Newman's Own food products and donations, the camp has now expanded to 11 locations in four countries.

Hole in the Wall Gang Camps serve more than 1,000 kiddos living with cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, HIV and other serious medical conditions free of charge each Summer. Through the foundation, they have expanded their reach to Asia and Africa, partnering with local organizations to help children living with HIV/AIDS in those countries build confidence and enjoy a break from the hardship in their lives.

Tag It and Keep Track of Your Kiddo's Things

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:00:07 PDT

Whether you tag your lil one's items by choice or to meet day and overnight camp requirements, most mamas don't have the time to stitch the tickets through all of their children's goods. From traditional sewn-in labels to ink stamps and permanent markers, we've rounded up several shortcuts for completing the chore.

A self-inking stamper like the Deluxe Marking Kit ($35) gets tots in on the action. With permanent ink and interchangeable stamps, the kit can be used for several camp seasons.
Iron-on labels make adhering a cinch. Available in a variety of designs, classic name labels ($6 for 60) are mommy's lil helper.
For those who label at the last minute, the Sharpie Laundry Pen ($1) is the permanent scribbler of choice available in a variety of widths.
Mums looking for a sticky fix will get stuck on Stikins Clothing Labels ($25 for 60), which can handle a toss in the washer and dryer.
Those handy with a label maker can type the camper's name into the gadget and spit out Fabric Iron-On Tape labels ($24).