Here at Echo Hill, we know that choosing a summer camp that fits the needs of your child can be a daunting task. Should it be close to home or across the country? Should you try and choose a camp where you already know some of the campers? Or should you choose a camp that is completely new, even if that makes your camper a littler nervous? What activities and program structure works for your child? These are just a few of the questions that run through parents heads prior to settling on a summer camp. So how did we choose Echo Hill? How does anyone land upon that one summer camp that they hope will be apart of their lives for years to come? Take a look below at the 4 ways Echo Hillers and many other camp-bound families made their decisions for the first summer of overnight camp.
| 1. Proximity to home The thought of spending all or a portion of the summer away from home startles some kids, while others embrace the idea of driving long distances—or even flying (both domestically and internationally)—to get to their summer paradise. From Saudi Arabia, the UK, and France to a 20 minute drive from Camp Road, Echo Hill has hosted campers from all over. There are many reasons why they chose that distance, but either way this creates a diverse camp culture that is attractive to parents from all over the world. |  |
2. Who you know ahead of time?
Many campers go to summer camps with friends from school as this might help facilitate the process of meeting new people. However, others are fond of the idea of not knowing anyone ahead of time. This helps reduce all expectations of how to act and allows campers to start their summer camp experience with a blank slate. There is no right or wrong answer. We have had campers from both of these perspectives and the only consistent outcome that we notice is that new friends are made either way. This is a personal choice and most summer camps should support both ideas, as we do. If you are nervous about sending a camper somewhere alone, then mention this to the summer camp. They should be more than happy to help your child make new friends. After all, that should be a priority for every summer camp!
Many campers go to summer camps with friends from school as this might help facilitate the process of meeting new people. However, others are fond of the idea of not knowing anyone ahead of time. This helps reduce all expectations of how to act and allows campers to start their summer camp experience with a blank slate. There is no right or wrong answer. We have had campers from both of these perspectives and the only consistent outcome that we notice is that new friends are made either way. This is a personal choice and most summer camps should support both ideas, as we do. If you are nervous about sending a camper somewhere alone, then mention this to the summer camp. They should be more than happy to help your child make new friends. After all, that should be a priority for every summer camp!
 | 3. Alumni Parents Many summer camps, including Echo Hill, have been in business long enough to see multiple generations of campers pass through the campus. Some parents even met at summer camp! So it goes without saying that when searching for a summer camp, prior allegiances from an adult’s childhood could play a role in narrowing down the options. If not that, then at least look at summer camps with a strong alumni network, because someday your children’s children could be there! |
4. What might your child do with their summer?
You should also keep in mind the general theme of the summer camps you are looking at, how they are run, and what your child can gain from them. Some camps specialize in one area, like competitive sports camps or drama camps, while others are well rounded. Many folks chose Echo Hill due to its well rounded yet flexible program where campers can go with a focus in mind, but are not limited to that focus if a new activity sparks interest while attending.
You should also keep in mind the general theme of the summer camps you are looking at, how they are run, and what your child can gain from them. Some camps specialize in one area, like competitive sports camps or drama camps, while others are well rounded. Many folks chose Echo Hill due to its well rounded yet flexible program where campers can go with a focus in mind, but are not limited to that focus if a new activity sparks interest while attending.
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