Being a Camp Counselor Can Boost Your Resume

When you sign up to become a camp counselor, you’re signing on for a lifetime of endless possibilities — one of them being a full-time position in your desired career field. That’s right — in addition to having fun playing soccer, and crafting, it’s actually giving your resume a boost! So why is this position desired by many potential employers? Let us explain:

Boost 1: Leadership Skills

Whether you’re taking attendance, or on a field-trip, you’re required to supervise your campers at all times. When potential employers see that you’ve been a camp counselor, they’ll see you’re organized, and well versed as a leader. This is the key to any successful workplace experience, whether you’re working alone, or managing a team project.

Boost 2: Time Management

Although summer camp is a fun environment, counselors must adhere to a daily schedule. This means arriving on time for their Group Leader Meeting, bringing the campers to lunch, and more. A multitude of work environments set a daily work schedule that employees must abide by. Potential employers will seek those who have a clear sense of time management, and know how to use it wisely.

Boost 3: Communication Skills

When working as a camp counselor, open communication is key. Whether you’re bringing the campers on a hike, or taking them to the flying-trapeze - the camp counselor must make this clear to the rest of the staff. Potential employers seek those who can manage clear channels of communication. In short: communication is the key to success.

Working at Camp Tioga is a great experience, and looks great on a resume! If you are interested in applying for a job at Camp Tioga for next summer, visit our website to learn more. Our staff is composed of carefully selected sports instructors, coaches, health care professionals, graduates and students from the leading colleges and universities from 18 different countries and all over the United States. We look forward to hearing from you!

5 Ways Sleepaway Camp Prepares Kids For College

Need a way to prep your kids for college? If they go to sleepaway camp, they’re already one step ahead of the game. Here are five ways sleepaway camp prepares kids for college.

1. They get used to an early wake up call.

Every day at camp is jack packed with fun activities, and there’s no time for tired, yawning faces. So, campers are used to waking up at a decent hour.

2. They learn how to manage their time and responsibilities.

Sleepaway camp installs morals and values in kids at an early age, so they have a better idea of making smarter decisions in college.

3. They’re not afraid of being away from home.

A majority of college kids have never been away from their families, let alone their homes, for an extended period of time. So while kids are just getting accumulated, former campers already know how to handle this situation -- which makes their adjustment in higher education that much easier.

4. They become apart of a community.

Just like camp, college is a place where so many people feel at home and connected to. Both are a place to build friendships, learn new skills, and contribute to a larger community, which will affect their lives greatly!

5. They end up making friends — and networking at the same time.

Networking in college means befriending professors, students, and any other person on campus that can help you out. But, for new timers, networking can be a bit intimidating -- but not for past campers! Sleepaway camp provides you with your very own networking circle.

For a parent, tossing around the idea of sending your child to sleepaway camp can be daunting, but we are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. This is due to our superior staff, picturesque grounds, and the 80 activities we offer. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

How To Get Your Kids Ready For Camp

The countdown for Tioga’17 is on! In just a few short weeks we’ll all be together again, but not so fast! Being away for weeks on end takes a lot of planning and prepping. So before you start heading out the door, make sure they have everything they need for the summer of their life!

Follow a packing list. There are a few must-have items when it comes to packing for sleepaway camp (soap, shampoo, laundry detergent). However, you should also prepare them for the unexpected (raincoat, sweatshirts, bug spray). And for those returning to sleepaway camp, check your belongings from previous years and reassess your list from there.

Label, label, label. And we mean everything — shirts, socks, shoes, bed sheets, you name it. Use a permanent or fabric marker and give yourself a few days before camp to organize and mark all of their belongings.

Prepare for homesickness. Reassure them that although they’re spending time away from mom and dad, you’re still only a call or email away, if need be. You can also calm their nerves by discussing what to include in their care packages.

Schedule a camp trunk pick-up. Most camps use baggage carriers, so remember to schedule your pick up ahead of time.

After checking everything off your to-do list, it’s time to get excited! Your child is only a few weeks away from having a life-altering, confidence-building, fun summer at  Camp Tioga. For more questions visit us here, or contact us at (516)938-0894.

Help Your Kids Stay Healthy At Camp

Summer camp is a time for your kids to grow friendships, build confidence, and make lifelong memories. It’s not the place for sick days, sunburns, or a bad case of the blues. They may be far away from home, but there are a few ways you can make sure your child stays healthy and happy all summer long, even when you’re not around.

Be honest with the camp staff. The more detailed you are about your child and their needs, the better the camp staff will be able to cater to them. Even minor allergies and behavioral conditions should be communicated.

Pack properly. Your kids will have a much better time at camp if they’re thoroughly prepared for rain or shine. Pack clothing with thin material and light colors, a rain jacket, sandals, and don’t forget about their sneakers! Studies show that strained or sprained ankles are the most common camp injuries, which could easily be avoided by wearing a good shoe or sneaker.

Teach them about their health. The most common illnesses at camps are the common cold, a sore throat, and the flu. Help your children with their hygiene routine, and they will have less of a chance of getting sick. For instance, they should be washing their hands frequently, coughing into their elbows, and avoiding sharing any food, drinks, or utensils with others.

Relax. It’s common for you to be nervous, but you shouldn’t run every possible, worst-case-camp-injury scenario through your head. Rest assured that your child is in good hands — you will constantly stay notified and updated on their safety and fun summer camp experiences.

For a parent, tossing around the idea of sending your child to sleepaway camp can be daunting, but we are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. This is due to our superior staff, picturesque grounds, and the 80 activities we offer. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

Pool Games Your Kids Will Love

Swimming is fun all on it’s own, but it’s even more entertaining when you have games to play in the pool. While Marco Polo is a classic, there are plenty of other activities your kids will love as well. Here are five of our favorite pool games for kids.

Mermaid races - You may also know them as dolphin or submarine races, but no matter the name, the point of the game remains the same - whoever can swim  underwater the longest, wins.

Shark in the pool - Players are allowed to hop in and out of the water (but only five seconds at a time). The shark, which can have a mask, snorkel, or even fins, can only tag the other players while they’re in the water.

Popsicle - When someone is tagged, they have to stand straight with their hands above their head, like a popsicle. When a player is underwater, they can’t be tagged, but players can swim past a ‘popsicle’ and unfreeze them.

FISH - This pool game is based on the basketball game, HORSE. For FISH, have players compete for the best dives, splashes, and other pool moves. First one to form the word FISH, loses.

Watermelon relay - Divide into two teams, each with one watermelon. The first team to push the watermelon from one end of the pool to the other, without touching the bottom - wins!

Want your children to have a happy and healthy summer? Let Camp Tioga help!  Set in the beautiful Endless Mountain region of Pennsylvania, we’re here to provide your child with a summer full of activity, fun and friendship. For more information on all that Camp Tioga has to offer, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or give us a call at 516-938-0894.

How To Be A Good Camp Counselor

Nothing beats being a summer camp counselor. You learn how to manage and motivate a team, become one with the great outdoors, and develop lifelong friendships. But, it’s not all fun and games — you have a serious responsibility on your hands. A camp counselor is one of the main components of camp that can either make or break a kid’s experience. Here are four tips to help you become an exemplary camp counselor.

Get to know all of your campers.
Each one of your campers is accustomed to being seen as an individual, not a member of a group, cabin, or bunk. Take the time to get to know some of their interests and talents, and create a “List of Firsts” chart for each child. This chart not only helps you keep track of the new and exciting things your campers are doing, but it also gives them individual recognition in a group setting.

Get into a routine.
Routines provide security for campers because they’re predictable. They’re also good for counselors because they allow you to plan ahead and put consistency and self-discipline into your interactions with your group. Try using the “five-minute warning” routine before the end of every meal, game, and activity. This routine will help children master the difficult task of transitioning from activity to activity.

Keep your directions simple and sweet.
You’ll end up getting little to no results if you give your campers too many things to do at once. For the younger campers that are easily distracted, follow this simple process:
 • Tell the camper to complete one task.
 • Ask the camper to repeat back what you just said.
 • Instruct the camper to tell you when they have finished.
 • Praise them for getting it done.

Get rid of the word ‘no.’
When you tell a camper, “don’t run,” what his brain really hears is “run as fast as you can!” Children today are visual learners, which means they picture in their minds what behavior we’re suggesting when we speak. If you want to be more effective with your campers, try rephrasing your words.

Did you find these tips helpful? We would love to hear your feedback! Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter or visit our website to learn more about Camp Tioga!

Signs You Were A Summer Camp Kid

There’s a reason more than 14 million children and adults attend camp every year - camps are the epitome of summer. Whether you’re going to an adult camp for one weekend or a kids summer camp for eight weeks, you can create the most amazing memories.

Here are a few signs that you used to be a summer camp kid:

1. You had a completely different identity with your camp friends.

2. Attending sleepaway camp also meant dealing with long-distance relationships. Upside? You rarely get homesick.

3. You still find pieces of clothing with your initials marked on the tags.

4. Color wars (which are equivalent to the olympics for camp kids) were the highlight of your summer. You really honed your team-building skills during this time.

5. You actually enjoyed rainy-day activities. Playing card games and watching movies all day with your bunk? Yes, please!

6. You owned a drawer-filled with tie-dyed items. Bonus points to you and your DIY-skills if your shirt was also cropped or fringed.

7. You still wear your camp gear to bed (good thing you bought that oversized sweatshirt).

8. Even if you haven’t seen them in years, you have an irrational love for your camp friends. There’s nothing like bonding over mosquito bites and cabin chores.

Want your children to share the wonderful experience that you had as a summer camp kid? Let Camp Tioga help! Set in the beautiful Endless Mountain region of Pennsylvania, we’re here to provide your child with a summer full of activities, fun, and friendship. For more information on all that Camp Tioga has to offer, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or give us a call at 516-938-0894.