3 Ways to Prepare Kids for School After Summer

Once the warm sun begins to dwindle down and freshly sharpened pencils are on the rise, summer vacation soon turns into the beginning of a new school year. Although it may be difficult to transition from camp activities to sitting in class, it can be done. Without further ado, here are some simple ways to turn summer mode into school mode at home:

Way #1: Make a Schedule

At Camp Tioga, our campers are always kept on a tidy schedule, bringing them from one fun activity to the next. Since a day in the classroom is built around a schedule, too, it’s important to implement a daily schedule at home for the next few weeks. To start: setup times for your child to wake up, to when they will read a book, to when they complete their chores. It’s the most essential way to help get that school schedule spirit going!

Way #2: Inspire Choice Making

One of the best ways to prepare kids for school is to let them make their own choices. Here at Camp Tioga, we let our campers make the choices that suit their interests, such as which activities they’d like to participate in. Before your child heads off to school, give them the option to choose simple things such as what they’d like to eat for lunch. Your child’s confidence will soar when they’re encouraged to make their own decisions.

Way #3: Keep the Books Open

Take advantage of the gorgeous weather with some outdoor reading! Just like the free time we factor into our campers schedules, you can do the same with your child’s schedule — but include reading a book into the equation. While reading is quite fun, it will also prepare your child for the assignments they’ll have at school, and may even spark a new hobby — if reading isn’t their hobby already!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

4 Things to Do in the Final Weeks of Summer With Your Kids

With the fine-tuned orchestrations of cicadas in the distance, the final weeks of summer are upon us. Although we sincerely wish that summer camp would continue throughout the year, it’s now time for school to take over and prepare our campers for next summer’s session. Even though the sun’s powerful rays may be winding down, there are still plenty of activities to do before class in session.

Host a Water Balloon Competition

One of our campers’ favorite activities at Tioga are the many water balloon competitions we hold! Before the brisk fall air arrives, have a family water balloon competition in your backyard! It’s a great way to keep cool in the summer sun and a fun way to run around and laugh. It will be one of the most memorable summer moments for sure!

Play Sports at the Park

Besides the wide variety of aquatic activities we offer at Tioga, our campers also love playing sports! For a fun-filled day with the family, visit your local park and play a game of soccer, baseball or basketball! You can even go a step further and create custom team jerseys before you head out the door.

Go On a Nature Walk

An incredible feature at Camp Tioga besides the many activities we offer are the views! One of our most popular features are the group nature walks we provide to our campers. Take your family on a nature walk at your local preserve and take in the incredible views! On your nature walk, bring a camera with you and take photos of all the wonderful wildlife you encounter!

Enjoy An Evening of Stargazing

There’s nothing better than a view of the stars above — especially at Camp Tioga! Instead of watching television one night, take your family outside and look up at the sky for some stargazing! You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what celestial shapes you’ll spot!

At Camp Tioga, we work with our campers to improve and develop new skills, as well as help build their confidence and self-esteem. We are confident that Camp Tioga is the right fit for any child. If you would like to become apart of our family, call 516-938-0894 or visit our website to enroll today!

5 Celebrities Who Were Camp Counselors

Lights, cameras, camp — some of the biggest names in Hollywood got their start at summer camps! From singers to actors, there over a hundred a-list stars who were camp counselors worldwide. Although no globally-known celebrities reside at Camp Tioga currently, we do have stars in the making: our campers! Without further ado, here are five celebrities who were once camp counselors:

Zac Brown

The “Chicken Fried” singer was such a huge fan of his experiences as a camp counselor, that he founded Camp Southern Ground in Fayetteville, GA. Before this country singer’s claim to fame, Brown was a summer camp counselor at both Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, GA (where his new camp is now), and at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA.

Lady Gaga

Way back when, when Gaga was known as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, she too was a camp counselor. Instead of donning gowns made of meat and writing power ballads, Gaga spent her summer at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock in Mt. Washington, Massachusetts. Although it isn’t specified what Gaga taught, we presume it was something of a creative nature!

Penny Marshall

The famed actress spent most of her youth attending summer camps, before appearing on the television sitcom Laverne & Shirley in 1976! Before regularly appearing as Laverne DeFazio, Marshall was a camp counselor at the Catskills’ Camp Diana-Dalmaqua. Imagine seeing your camp counselor on television, after spending numerous summers under their care?

Drew Carey

Before he appeared on his self-titled show in the nineties, and now as the host of The Price Is Right, Carey spent his summers working at a camp. Carey was known to have been a summer camp counselor at YMCA Camp Y-Noah in Akron, Ohio.

Jennifer Nettles

Besides being a singer, songwriter, TV host, and actress, Nettles was a camp counselor! For three summers, the Sugarland singer was known to Georgia locals as a summer camp counselor extraordinaire at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. We could only imagine how awesome camp songs must have sounded, with Nettles singing them!

Want your child to have summer camp memories for a lifetime? Schedule a tour at Camp Tioga today, and see the magic for yourself! Call us at 516-938-0894 or visit our website for more information — we look forward to seeing you soon!

Why Tioga Campers Become Leaders

In an age of social media and miles of impressionable celebrities, it’s very easy to march to the beat of someone else’s drum. While being inspired by another individual isn’t a negative factor, it’s always best to embrace your individuality and stand out amongst the rest. Although this may seem like a difficult task to teach your child, leadership is taught with ease at Camp Tioga. Without further ado, here are some of the reasons why Tioga campers become leaders:

Group Activities

Although this may seem self-explanatory, all of our activities at Camp Tioga are group activities. Whether your child participates in our circus skills club or the high ropes course, they’re always working with other campers to accomplish a common goal: to have fun. When participating in activities, sometimes campers will have to take direction not only from their counselors, but themselves, and lead their teams to victory. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Make Choices

While our campers are closely monitored at all times for safety precautions by our staff, there are times when campers must make their own choices, such as choosing what they’d like to eat for dinner at our dining hall. This simple step alone teaches children that they can make their own choices, and are the leaders to their own happiness.

Encouragement

Whether they’re competing in one of our water balloon competitions or playing a game of volleyball, campers are always being cheered on by counselors, staff and fellow campers! Despite the outcome of the game, they will always feel like a winner with the constant encouragement delivered daily!

Want your child to continue building leadership qualities, while creating summer camp memories for a lifetime? Schedule a tour at Camp Tioga today, and see the magic for yourself! Call us at 516-938-0894 or visit our website for more information — we look forward to seeing you soon!

Camp Helps Children Grow

While most might think of summer camp as pure leisure for children, it’s actually preparing them for adulthood. In fact, by attending summer camp, many kids will have opportunities to be independent (with close supervision nearby), and will acquire newfound skills that they can apply to their everyday lives. To dive further into this topic, what actually makes children grow at camp?

Making Friends

Sure, this sounds quite simple — because it is at Camp Tioga! When your child completes their daily activities at camp, they’re not only interacting with camp counselors, but they’re also interacting with other campers who are in the same age bracket. By interacting with each other, it builds character and helps most children break away from their shyness.

Sticking to a Schedule

Besides being the most important skill to obtain, it’s the most pertinent to understand. When your child attends school or begins working at an office in the future, it’s highly important that they stick to a daily schedule. It will not only keep them on track, in terms of time, but it will also increase their organizational skills as a whole.

Understand Teamwork

Whether they’re competing in a game of trivia or playing a game of waterpolo, your children will learn the value of teamwork. Just think of today’s greatest innovations, such as the leading top-performance vehicles. One individual may have created the concept, but it was a team that put the product together and made it a reality.

Want your child to have summer camp memories for a lifetime? Schedule a tour at Camp Tioga today, and see the magic for yourself! Call us at 516-938-0894 or visit our website for more information — we look forward to seeing you soon!

5 Summer Camp Memories Every Child Should Have

When people reminisce about summer, a common theme appears for most: fond memories of their summer camp experiences as a child. Summer camp is not only a place to have fun, it’s also a place to grow and learn. At Camp Tioga, we pride ourselves in having fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Here are five summer camp memories every child should have, and will if they attend Camp Tioga:

Participating in Activities

Your child is sure to have an incredible summer while kayaking, horseback riding, quad riding, and more, while at Camp Tioga. Most camps only offer the traditional elements such as sports — but Camp Tioga prides itself in creating memorable experiences for campers of all ages.

Creating Keepsakes

From a beaded bracelet to a picture frame, camp mementos are the most treasured form of memories. When your child participates in an arts and crafts class, they’ll be creating tangible items that they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Cherishing Camp Traditions

One of the most important features at Tioga, besides always having fun, are our special Tioga traditions. From Camp Tioga songs to Mr. & Mrs. Tioga, we always roll out quality excitement during our summers.

Quality Star Gazing

We know that most neighborhoods foster light pollution, and make it difficult to see the stars above. That’s why at Camp Tioga, we take full advantage of our wooded property and showcase what Mother Nature has to offer!

Friendships for a Lifetime

The most important summer camp memory of all: the friendships your child will make. At Tioga, we pride ourselves in encouraging our campers to befriend one another, with a variety of group activities. This will not only boost your child’s teamwork skills, but will also boost their confidence, too.

Want your child to have summer camp memories for a lifetime? Schedule a tour at Camp Tioga today, and see the magic for yourself! Call us at 516-938-0894 or visit our website for more information — we look forward to seeing you soon!

5 Reasons to Tour Tioga

Ever hear of a summer spot with stunning nature views, incredible activities, and friendships that last a lifetime? No, it’s not a fictitious place — it’s Camp Tioga! Unlike traditional summer camp experiences, we stand out amongst the rest. Located in the incredible endless mountain region of Pennsylvania, our state-of the-art campus is built on 110 scenic acres, with panoramic views reaching over 40 miles. If you’re not sold on the idea alone, let us dazzle your interest with five reasons why you should schedule a Tioga Tour:

Reason 1: Adventurous Activities

When was the last time you heard of a summer camp with a flying trapeze, or ATVs with a long and winding track? At Camp Tioga, we pride ourselves in the latest and greatest activities! Besides these adventurous avenues, we also have an an incredible arts & crafts center, media production studio, and more!

Reason 2: Safety First

Sending your child to a sleepaway camp is a big commitment as a parent. At Camp Tioga we understand this, and make our safety our priority — in addition to fun. We have a highly trained, caring medical staff,4 licensed RN’s, and an onsite Camp Doctor on duty at all times. Additionally, we have a 3:1 camper to counselor ratio — this means all campers live in bunks with their counselor, who provide constant supervision.. Finally, with an exceptional team of Directors, they maintain that safety-to-fun ratio.

Reason 3: Kid Friendly Menu

Have a picky eater? Fear not — we have the greatest menu options in summer camp history! From breakfast, to lunch, and dinner (with snacks in between), the possibilities are endless — and will satisfy any appetite! To top it all off,Camp Tioga is a completely nut-free facility and personally caters to any dietary restrictions your child may have!

Reason 4: CIT Program

Tioga prides itself in leadership — that’s why we offer our exclusive Counselor-In-Training Program. This phenomenal program offers former campers a true insight into the levels of responsibility and dedication each of our counselors have!

Reason 5: Memories for a Lifetime

At Camp Tioga, we do our absolute best to provide your child with the summer of a lifetime! From the stunning nature views on our grounds, to the fun and exciting daily activities — our summer camp experience is unmatched! Wish you could see Camp Tioga for yourself? Schedule a tour today, and see the magic for yourself! Call us at 516-938-0894 or visit our website for more information — we look forward to seeing you soon!