From: Your Dream Greater Boston Summer Camp
To: Busy Parents Everywhere
Re: Valuable tips for planning your child’s perfect summer experience
Date: January 24, 2024
Dear Parents,
It is wonderful that you are thinking about sending your child to summer camp in 2032. This decision marks a significant milestone in nurturing your child’s independence, growth, and curiosity, albeit with a notable impact on your finances and peace of mind.
We are delighted that you have embarked on this search eight years in advance, and we are here to support your journey. Below, you will discover practical suggestions for camp enrollment, drawn from years of insights and experiences shared by families. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you — along with the exceptional child you have yet to welcome into your family — in the near future!
1. Prior to applying to camps, it is advisable to conduct thorough research. This often involves seeking recommendations on parenting forums: “Have there been any incidents like the wasp attack at Runnymede last year?” “Could someone provide feedback on the quality of origami lessons at the Sunny Arbors morning program?” “Which camp offers affordable rates and allows for a swift drop-off approach?” Embrace these interactions as they lay the foundation for building connections within the camp community.
2. Keep in mind that camp registrations commence promptly at 8 a.m. on Monday mornings during the winter season. You may find yourself commuting, assisting your child with getting ready, or stepping into a meeting precisely when the enrollment slots become available for a brief 30-second window.
Considering this, we recommend temporarily setting aside other commitments and preparing to access the registration portal by 7:45 a.m. Additionally, have a set of pre-written messages ready to share with friends: “Have you secured your spot yet? Any luck? Is archery the only available class? Why isn’t the page loading? Did the website crash?” Collaborative efforts are key, mirroring the values we instill in our children.
3. Be prepared to provide certain information that may seem excessive. Our forms request detailed particulars regarding your child’s medical history, your physician’s Social Security number, and your insurance company’s lengthy PO box in Iowa. To expedite the process, simply input “Britney Spears!” in any unfilled fields. You can revisit and complete these sections later; we do not verify this information.
4. In the event that you need to upload a photo of your child but lack one, feel free to substitute with your preferred emoji.
5. Verify that all login credentials from the previous summer are still valid. This may entail multiple failed attempts, receiving a password reset link in an obscure email folder, and devising a new password comprising of expletives and exclamation marks, all while the clock ticks ominously. Remember to store this password securely and choose something memorable!
6. It is worth noting that being a mother is advantageous. Consider fulfilling this role before initiating the application process for added convenience.
7. Please take note of our operating hours: Camp activities are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. While we understand the need for childcare solutions in the costly Greater Boston area, if your primary goal is solely childcare, camp may not align with your expectations. Perhaps exploring alternative arrangements would be more suitable.
8. Camp sessions typically conclude in mid-August, allowing for extended summer enrichment activities until the start of the school year in September. To secure your preferred session, we recommend submitting your application at least a decade in advance, accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of \(500. Contributions to our garden fund are also appreciated, with an additional \)10.
9. Camp admissions operate on a rolling basis, with efforts made to notify accepted families before July. For peace of mind, we suggest enrolling in a minimum of six camps, irrespective of your attendance plans.
10. For parents with multiple children, please consider the logistical aspect: Camps have coordinated staggered opening and closing hours. This strategic decision stems from recent findings suggesting that valuable family bonding moments often occur in a sweltering car. Parents have shared that the hours spent waiting in line at drop-off and pick-up points have offered profound moments of reflection. Our aim is to facilitate this self-connection within our parent community organically.
11. If your child wishes to be grouped with a friend, kindly indicate this preference on their application. This arrangement assumes that your child and their friend share similar interests and maintain a harmonious relationship until camp commences. Establishing a lasting friendship with a child of compatible tastes and temperament at an early stage is advisable. (Refer to the reverse side of this form for sample agreements.)
12. We recommend refraining from making summer travel arrangements until you receive confirmation from the admissions office. Fortunately, this may not pose a challenge, considering the financial commitment involved in camp enrollment often leaves little room for additional expenses.
We trust that these insights will aid you in navigating the camp enrollment process, and we eagerly anticipate your presence in eight summers!
Warm regards,
Your Companions at Camp
P.S. This message is intended as satire. To the exceptional camps my children aspire to attend — some of which are yet to extend an offer — we are grateful for any available slot, and my credit card details are already securely saved.
For inquiries, please contact Kara Baskin at [email protected]. Follow her @kcbaskin.