how to plan your child’s perfect summer experience guide.pdfhere are a few tips to keep you ahead...

HOW TO PLAN YOUR CHILD’S PERFECT SUMMER EXPERIENCE 1

HOW TO PLAN YOUR CHILD’S PERFECT SUMMER EXPERIENCE

An Essential Month-by-Month Guide

A Publication of


Intro ........................................................................ 3During the Fall ........................................................4January ...................................................................6February ................................................................. 7March ......................................................................8April ........................................................................9May ........................................................................ 10June........................................................................ 11Ready. Set. Summer. ............................................12

Inside

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Summer It sounds idyllic, simple and easy. Just show up on the fi rst day of camp and have a great time.

Wrong! Summer planning has become a pretty big deal. First, there are over 12,000 camps and summer programs in the USA alone…12,000. Yikes! Then, there are the applications, deadlines, doctor visits and booking travel. We feel your pain and understand if you are totally overwhelmed!

Enter your summer superhero! Your month-by-month planning guide is here to help. While you do have a few things to do, we broke it down with a simple checklist you can review each month to make this process easy and FUN! Right…this is supposed to be fun! Summer should be something you and your kids look forward to, not a task so daunting that you don’t even know where to begin.

So, fear not. We have your back! And, your child’s ideal summer experience is on its way.


Sweater weather is in full swing! Soon, we should expect (oh no, please don’t say that word) SNOW! If you dread the colder months, you might think of any way to escape it. So, let’s fast-forward to the idea of summer!

Summer really starts now! This is the time of year when summer programs open registration and are looking to fill as many spots as possible and open their programs to new and existing students! Believe it or not, this is also the best time of the year for you to register. You get the best deals, and you have the best chance of securing a space in larger, more sought after programs.

Here are 4 ways to start exploring summer programs in fall:1. Figure out what type of summer camp you are looking for. Good questions to think about are:

•Whatclassesareyourchildrentakinginschoolthisyear? •Subsequently,whatclassesaretheytakingnextyear? •Whatmustyouaccomplishinordertopreparethemacademicallyfortheyeartocome? •Whatextracurricularactivities(sports,clubs,etc.)dotheypartakein? •Whataretheypassionateabout? •Whatnewthingswouldtheyliketoexplore? •Whatdotheywanttodowhentheygrowup?

As you begin the search for a summer program, it is important to discuss your kids’ goals. If you find a summer program that will aid your children in achieving these goals, it will provide them with the most productive summer imaginable.

Fall

WHAT TYPE OF SUMMER PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

TAKE OUR QUIZ

http://info.jkcp.com/summer-camp-quiz


2. Do your research about what is available — The best tool here is Google. We also recommend talking with other parents. There are many choices within each category of camps. Learning the ins and outs of the programs you are interested in pursuing will make your decision easier later on.

3. Pick up the phone—Aphonecallisagreatwaytogetallyourquestionsanswered and make you feel comfortable about your choice.

4. Ask about a deal — This time of year, there are early bird specials at many camps. While you are on the phone, ask about any discounts they may offer for early registration, bringing siblings, referring friends or holiday specials. This could save you hundreds!


2. Do your research about what is available — The best tool here is Google. We also recommend talking with other parents. There are many choices within each category of camps. Learning the ins and outs of the programs you are interested in pursuing will make your decision easier later on.

—Aphonecallisagreatwaytogetallyourquestionsanswered and make you feel comfortable about your choice.

— This time of year, there are early bird specials at many camps. While you are on the phone, ask about any discounts they may offer for early registration, bringing siblings, referring friends or holiday specials. This

START EVALUATING YOUR OPTIONS WITH OUR

COMPARISON GUIDE

http://info.jkcp.com/comparison-guide


Happy New Year! Assuming you have narrowed down where your children will spend their summer, it’s time to make the call. These days, that “call” tends to be filling out an online registration form. Before doing so, make sure to consider the following things:

•Deadlines — Be aware of application deadlines. Pre-college and competitive programs are very strict about their deadlines and you don’twanttomissthem.SomehappenasearlyasFebruary1!(Now,aren’tyougladyoustartedplanningearly?)Otherprogramsofferrolling admissions, which means the sooner your child applies, the better their chances of being accepted. If they know they want to attend a certain program, don’t wait! Also, if the application is due at midnight, don’t start it at 11:55pm. Some applications are very lengthyandrequireitemssuchastestscoresandteacherrecommendations.Trustus,youcan’tgetyourhandsonthoseinfiveminutesor in the middle of the night!

•Additional fees — Like most purchases made in life, the sticker price doesn’t usually include everything. The most common additional charge would be an application fee, weekend trips and course material fees.

•What happens next — Typically, the registration form is the first of many forms included in the process of getting your child ready for camp. Most of the time you will receive an email after you submit your registration which outlines what the next steps are and how to accessanyassociatedaccounts.Intheeventthatthisisn’tthecase,asimplephonecallshouldanswerthisveryimportantquestion.Make a note of the different forms that need to be completed and their respective due dates. Knowing this, you can schedule doctor visits and get documents completed on time.

•Supplemental information — We will discuss this in more detail in the early spring, but know that more is coming. When you receive the email asking you to fill out a series of additional forms and read various documents, we recommend you pay close attention to them. Those documents include items such as medical forms, student profiles and travel info. The information on these forms help camps take the best possible care of your child.

•Money, money, money—Whenyouregister,youwillgenerallyberequiredtopayanapplicationfeeandadeposit.Whiletherestis important, this is the part that usually guarantees your child a spot in the program. The follow up material should also include a payment schedule so that you know when the remaining balances are due.


It’s officially that part of winter that no one except hardcore skiers really love. What could be better to think about during this cold month than getting ready for camp: summer, sun, warmth and fun!

Once you are registered for your summer program, you will start getting lots of additional information in March and April, but for now, here are a few tips to keep you ahead of the game and guide you into spring:

•Last minute promotions — While you may have missed the best pricing of the year in the fall, many camps still offer deals for referring friends, bringing a sibling or specials on certain classes or weeks.

•Make appointments now—Mostsummerprogramsrequireavisittothedoctorforeachstudent.Whenspringrollsaround,asweallknow, we are usually busier and it can be difficult to get an appointment on demand. We recommend using February as a chance to get ahead of the herd and make your appointments while the spring schedule is still open.

•Shop for camp — Like buying a winter coat in August, we recommend buying items you will need for summer now. With online shopping, it’s easy to find amazing deals on summer clothing, shoes, sunglasses etc. in the middle of winter. Many camps offer packing lists that are very helpful.

•Research flights — If you are traveling via plane, start looking for competitive fares. We especially recommend this if you are traveling internationally. After March, fares will start to increase across the board for travel in June, July and August.

•Remember application deadlines — If you are applying for a summer program that has a competitive admission process, chances are that the deadline for submitting your application occurs in February or early March. Make sure that all components of your application are on track to be turned in on time.

Grab a cup of cocoa as you prepare for summer. It will come…we promise!


The sun is starting to shine a little longer each day! That can only mean one thing… summer is just around the corner! At this time of year, programs are filling up and deadlines are passing like the winter weather. Here’s what to do in March:

•Book travel — In March, we are entering the “sweet spot” of booking domestic airfare for summer dates. According to a report issued by Expedia, domestic ticket prices are lowest between 50–100 days before your trip. As for the day of the week, Tuesday is the day, showing an average of $28 in savings. Book your flights, and let your summer program know your detailed flight information. They likely have a specific form for your travel arrangements. Keep in mind that if your child’s travel information changes, your summer program needs the updated information to ensure a proper arrival and departure.

• Decisions, decisions — If your child applied for a selective summer program, it is common to get the admissions decision in March or April. If accepted, you may need to take additional action. So, don’t forget to follow the instructions and actually accept the invitation to attend. You don’t want your child’s spot to be given to someone else because you didn’t respond. If your child is not accepted to a program, give the organization a call to determine if they offer alternative opportunities. There are many amazing programs still out there, and a representative associated with the programs will likely be able to help you.

•Social media — The best thing about participating in a summer program today is that the experience begins immediately, even if summerismonthsaway!Youandyourkidscanconnectwithotherparticipantsonsocialmedia.Askquestions,joinspecificparentgroups and meet people also joining the program.

These are the simple tasks that can turn March from a waiting month to a month of getting ahead!

March


Spring is in the air, and summer is coming soon.

Here is what you should be thinking about in April:

•Firm up your summer plans — By this point, you should know what your kids’ primary experiences will be this summer. If not, we recommend firming up those plans as programs start to sell out in April.

•Fill in gap weeks — We just said “primary experience” but that might only mean 3-4 weeks. What are your kids doing the rest of the summer?Manycampshaveweeklyoptionsthataregreattofillinthebeginningandendofsummer.Localdaycampscanbeagreatoption if you want your kids at home for part of the summer but want to keep them busy.

•Select your electives—Manyprogramsofferclassandelectivechoices.Mostrequireasignupbeforeyouarrive.Ifthatisthecase,nowis a great time to make those choices. If you aren’t sure about what or how to select these, call your camp or summer program to find out more about those specific choices.

• Finalizing all your travel — We’ve talked about plane travel. Book that if you haven’t already! But, it’s also time to sort out train or car transportation as well as ALL the travel details. —Whichparent(s)aregoingwith,ifany? —Ifarrivingbyplane,doesyourprogramprovidetransportationfromtheairport?

Didyoubookthat? —Haveyourflightdetailschanged?Ifso,updateyourcampwiththenewtraveldetails. —Isthereashuttlefromyourtown? —Whattimeareyougettingthere? —Willtheparentsneedahotelnearthecamp?

As you can see, this gets a little complicated and there are a lot of details involved, so it’s important to plan ahead. It’s also a time when kids are a little nervous, so accounting for some extra time to say goodbye and get last minute supplies is a good idea.

• Arrival information and forms —Youshouldalreadyhavealloftheformsyourcamprequires.FILL THEM OUT! From transportation to health forms, permission slips to activity waivers and beyond, you should be receiving an A-Z list of the “need-to-know” items and forms. Help the camp give your child the best possible experience by supplying this information to them.

So for now, focus on tying up loose ends and making sure all of the important paperwork is out of the way. Just take one thing at a time. You got this!

April

KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE LOGISTICS WITH OUR

SUMMER FAMILY PLANNING GUIDE

http://info.jkcp.com/family-summer-planner


One month until programs open their doors!Areyouready?• Register — No need to go back and check if this is actually the January page that you are reading. You read it right! Either you just got

your hands on this amazing guide right now or you have just been super busy. But, yes, in May, some parents haven’t planned every moment of their children’s summer. We don’t judge…we are here to help! If you are one of those parents, know that you are not alone. Youshould,however,gatherupallofthenecessaryinformationandregisterforyourchild’sprogramasquicklyaspossible.Atthispointspace is limited. You get the picture - act now!

• Plans to extend — If you plan on extending your child’s stay “if they like it”, think about doing it now. While some programs offer students a chance to extend their stay while they are present, this tactic may limit your child’s choice of classes. While camp might still have room for Johnny to extend, his favorite class, App Development, might not have room for him anymore. You can avoid this disappointing situation by registering for extra weeks before the summer starts. If you are worried about needing to cancel, many programs offer cancellation insurance.

• Send in your forms — Yes, we’ve mentioned this before. But, May is likely the deadline to get these forms done and returned to the camp. The May deadline will give the camp or summer program enough time to ensure that everything is properly prepared for your child’s arrival. Don’t forget to pay any balances also. Camps may give up your spot if you have not yet paid in full.

• Familiarize yourself with communication — Camps use many means of communication depending on what gives you the easiest access to their on-the-ground staff: phone, email, live chat, an app, social media and Skype. Take the time to read through the literature they send to get familiar with the best ways to reach your child’s program or director this summer. It will also help you stay calm should youneedtoreachthecamporyourchildquicklymid-summer.

Summer is almost here!

May


Summer is here and you are busy packing your child’s bags for camp! Whether your child is heading for the mountains or attending a pre-college summer program on a university campus, the idea here is the same: pack appropriately and be prepared!

Here is what you should be thinking about in June:

• Read the info the camp sent — Make sure you have received the program’s arrival information and, even though this shouldn’t have to be said, READ IT! The program that your child registered for has spent time putting the most important information together for you and your child to use when traveling to and attending their summer program.

• Forms, forms, forms—Weknowwesoundlikeabrokenrecord,butfilloutanyoutstandingformsthatyourprogramrequestedofyou.Checkyouremailsfromthemincasetheyhaveanyfollowupquestionsfromanyformsyoualreadysubmitted.Youwouldhatetotravelall the way to the gates of your summer program only to be sent home because you haven’t had your doctor sign your health form.

• Store key contacts — Make sure you have the contact info and emergency numbers for the program and director. Store it in your phone so that you have it on hand whenever you need it. In fact, if the camp allows phones, have the kids store it in their phone also.

• Make a communication plan with your child — Though communicating with your kids while they are away is important, it is also important to give them space to make relationships with their peers and solve problems on their own. It is helpful to plan for how often youwillspeakwiththem.Willanoccasionaltextkeepyoubothhappyordoyouwantalongerphonecall?Thereisnorightorwrongway to do this, but it’s important to manage the expectation.

• Discuss expectations — Talk to your kids about what everyone’s expectations are. Things we recommend discussing: — Their goals as well as your goals for them while at the program. —Theclassestheyareexpectedtotake.Aretheyallowedtochangeclasseswithoutyourpermission? —Howmuchmoneyaretheyallowedtospend? —Whataretheyallowedtospendmoneyon? —Willtheyhavecashoradebitcard? —Willtheydotheirownlaundryorusealaundryservice? —Willtheytaketheirownmedicationorwillthenursehelpthem? — The importance of eating some fruits and veggies and getting enough sleep.

• Connect on social media — Most programs have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media accounts. Many even have a specific group for parents of their students. Join these and get involved. This is the best way to see pictures, read about what is going on and stay up to date with what is happening on site.

June

OUR HANDY GO-TO GUIDETHE DOs AND DON’Ts OF

SUMMER CAMP PARENTING

http://info.jkcp.com/dos-donts-guide


About Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs: We wrote this eBook because we actually know what we are talking about! We’ve been helping families create amazing summer experiences for over 35 years. We run sports, academic, art, pre-college, cooking and business programs at the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Haverford College. www.jkcp.com

If you need any help at all, give us a call at 610.265.9401. We have a team of summer program experts who can help you with each step of your planning.

Ready. Set. Summer.Congrats! You did it. You planned all your childrens’ summer experiences!

how to plan your child’s perfect summer experience guide.pdfhere are a few tips to keep you ahead...

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