Attending overnight camp is an important rite of passage, offering invaluable opportunities for personal growth, connection, and lots of fun! Campers learn to navigate social situations, develop friendships, and work collaboratively with peers in a supportive environment. We know that it’s natural to feel a little nervous about being away from home for the first time, and our team works hard to ensure that first time campers have an amazing experience as they transition to overnight camp.
Here are just some of the ways we support first time campers and families as the consider, select, and prepare for camp:
Supporting First Time Families
Schedule A Director Call
Reaching out to our Director Team is a great way to become acquainted with camp. We speak with families year-round. You can set up a phone call, video call, or home visit. We prioritize getting to know prospective families, learning about your child(ren), and making sure that Camp Emerson seems like a great match for your family.
Meet A Camp Family
After you’ve learned a little bit about camp, we can put you in touch with a current Emerson family. Our families love connecting with prospective parents and would be delighted to talk with you about their camp experience. This helps facilitate camp friendships before the summer begins and ensures you’ll know another camper before you even arrive!
Attend A Camper Event
We schedule events for current and prospective families throughout the year. Attending an event near you is a great way to meet other campers and families in person and connect with our year-round staff.
New Family Orientation
We host a New Family Orientation in May before the summer begins (for adults). We provide insight on how to prepare for camp, packing, what to expect when you arrive, how to discuss camp with your kids as the summer approaches, and a whole lot more. This orientation helps parents and caregivers best support their children as they transition to camp for the first time.
Pre-Camp Open House
We host a pre-camp open house in June for new and prospective families. This is an exciting way to meet our staff, new campers, other families, and see camp! We’ll gather together, tour camp, and participate in some fun activities. Campers and families are sure to leave feeling excited about the summer!
Tour Camp During The Summer
Visiting Emerson is the best way to get to know a camp! Walking through the camp allows families to see how activities are run, get a sense of the overall atmosphere, and gives prospective campers a chance to envision themselves in the camp setting. We love hosting prospective families at camp through the summer!
We’re In Touch With You
Our core leadership team is directly in touch with families while your child is at Emerson. It is easy to connect with our director team while camp is in session. Families are encouraged to frequently send letters to camp. We also print out emails sent to campers that are delivered with the daily mail. Every day we upload photos for families to view and also send out regular updates about camp events, so you can be prepared to converse with your child about the camp experience when they return home. Our staff is simply the best. They are kind, fun people, talented teachers and dedicated to creating a thriving experience for every camper.