By a camp counselor
As summer approaches, thousands of children eagerly pack their bags for an unforgettable experience at many overnight camps. Camp can provide a nurturing environment for children to have fun, grow in Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit, learn, and forge lifelong memories.
However, a concerning trend has emerged in recent years wherein parents excessively contact their children’s counselors through WhatsApp, text messages, and phone calls, often bombarding them with every little request.
And it’s only causing heartache.
By inundating counselors with constant communication and borderline harassment, parents inadvertently disrupt the delicate balance that allows their children to thrive in the camp setting.
The barrage of messages and calls can have unintended consequences for the counselors and the children they care for.
Firstly, excessive communication can lead to an increased workload and stress for counselors, diverting their attention from their primary responsibilities. This can ultimately hinder their ability to provide all campers the best possible care and support.
Moreover, incessant parental intervention can undermine the child’s sense of independence and personal growth. Camps offer a unique opportunity for children to develop self-reliance, decision-making skills, and problem-solving abilities. By frequently contacting counselors for minor issues, parents inadvertently rob their children of valuable learning experiences and the chance to overcome challenges independently.
It is important for parents to recognize that counselors are not only responsible for their child but also for the well-being of an entire group of campers.
Counselors play a pivotal role in summer camps, serving as mentors, caregivers, and role models for the campers. They are responsible for providing a safe and structured environment where children can develop social skills, gain independence, and engage in a range of activities.
I have myself seen many instances where a parent contacted a counselor about a trivial matter, incessantly texting and WhatsApping, day in day out – causing the counselor to feel very overwhelmed. The counselor usually thinks, “If I don’t respond, I won’t get a tip / I’ll be badmouthed / other parents of children in my bunk will hear that I’m ignoring a parent,” etc.
There’s no reason for a parent to reach out to a counselor. Parents with genuine concerns or urgent matters should communicate with the appropriate camp authorities, such as the Directors, Head Staff, or EMTs. Camp directorship should make sure that it is easy to reach out to the administration, so parents with valid questions or requests can communicate properly with the correct people who are well-equipped to handle significant issues promptly and efficiently, ensuring that everything is addressed appropriately.
In fostering a healthy camp experience, a partnership between parents and counselors is crucial. Trusting the capable staff who have been carefully selected to care for their children enables parents to relax, knowing that their child is in capable and responsible hands.
As we begin this summer, let us remember the importance of respecting counselors’ roles in summer camp. By allowing counselors to fulfill their responsibilities unhindered, we can create an environment where children flourish, gaining lifelong memories, Chassidishe hachlatos and growth, and invaluable life skills.
Camp staff should respect the parent – who is actually the bottom line person – responsible for the child and usually knows what is best and has the most experience with that child. It sounds like you are protecting the counselor. It’s a learning experience to deal with parents – which must be done at any chinuch setting.
To the author, I feel your pain. It’s annoying to have parents constantly on your back. Besides for being a nonstop headache, “helicopter” parents cause you to doubt yourself because they implicitly question your ability to counselor. However, parents tend to care about their children more than camp counselors—especially when the counselors are 18-year-old bachurim who’ll go crying to their own parents a week after camp when they receive their first $5 knas for sleeping through chassidus. And moreover, parents are paying top dollar to send their children to camp. It’s their fiscal responsibility to ensure that they get their… Read more »
Umm, why exactly do you need daily reports from your sons counselors, learning teachers and lifeguards?
All of those staff you mentioned get paid next to nothing, so if you’re getting daily reports, or even weekly or whatnot, make sure tip very nicely. It’s really not a tip, just paying for the services they’re providing you
Why don’t you hire your own counselor, making your own camp at home, keeping a 24/7 eye and communication open just in case someone/something is not exactly 100% were it should be according to your standards. It’s really your only option Not many people are as gifted as you seam to reflect or have the time to process so many multiple tasks and still have some time to rest/sleep or just recharge in order to function in a normal and responsible way. Good luck on your perfect control world journey . Please make sure the medications didn’t already expired and… Read more »
WELL SAID! I would also add that when a counselor sees a parent being involved, regardless if its camp or school only good can come out of it in my opinion. Yes, not being excessive or disrespectful is a given.
Agree
I definitely agree to this to an extent, and appreciate the perspective from a counselor point of view. however I do believe that it’s only natural for a parent to be concerned about there child, especially if the child is young, or first time going off to camp. It can be very difficult for the parents. I do belibe that speaking to parents once a week May not be enough (for the younger kids specifically) I do believe that as a mother’s we should have the opportunity to know how our kid is doing day in day out…. Maybe there… Read more »
Mothers should 100% be thinking about their children and if they need to communicate with their child they should. However, this should not be through the counselors. The counselors should not be in contact with the parents for many reasons. The parents can contact the camp office, director etc.
The points in the article and this comment from a counselor are VALID. When my children were in camp we didn’t have WhatsApp. However, if we had, I probably would have been one of the ones whatssaping counselors too much because it didn’t work al pi Teva to get in touch with the camp administrative staff or directors with real questions I mean and then the overthinking/worrying kicks in. Maybe this would help: Nowadays the parents can have a chat that someone from camp staff can be on and that can be helpful. Sometimes a lot of parents have similar… Read more »
Counselors, put away your phones
If the parents are texting us then we can’t put our phones away
So you want to have your phones but not us parents texting you?
Why not? Just put it away and don’t answer
Get complaints later and less (very deserved..) tips?
There is no law that you need to be a available to others. Ever. Your responsibility is to the kids. Be there for them. Fully.
Couldn’t have been better stated. One more point if you harass the counselor/learning teacher they will start to have a negative feeling toward the parents. There is zero advantage to harassment. If you need something using the regular channels is always best
How can a counselor even be expected to do their with possession of a smart phone?
How can a teenager give even a basic level of supervision of the children with all the many distractions these devices offer?
I know this isn’t about the issue of parents contacting the counselors, but I’m trying to imagine how this works
By a counselor of many summers before there was Wi-Fi in Camp
Hashem made the solution before the problem. Idk what it is exactly but don’t worry about it too much
Although the points brought up in the article are certainly valid, many camps today still operate as if it’s still the 90’s. Campers get dropped off at the beginning of the week to only hear about the child on erev Shabbos. Consider a new parent, the worry and longing can be tremendous. In 2023, parents expect more. Counselors would not need be contacted via unofficial channels, if camp were to send a simple message on the second day of camp, acknowledging that they have the camper, that they are alive and well and happy. A picture wouldn’t hurt. How about… Read more »
Yes! Totally agree! Well said
LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
btw the way to all parents we are all actually hired by the kgb to brainwash ur kids….
MWAHAHAHA!!!!
TELL ME, WHAT MOVIES ARE U WATCHING? חי בחסרט mother
IS THAT NORMAL, DO U THINK WE ARE TRYING TO HIDE UR KIDS WITHOLD INFORMATION????????
we are running a camp we have more important stuff to deal with, so why dont u just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet at home
can’t agree more and I’m a parent !
We would be very worried if you were not
100% agree
It’s ridiculous how ust minutes after I get my bunks names, I have parents texting me like I have all the patience in the world. We signed up to counselor 13 campers, not 13 campers AND 13 parents. Also kids hear that their parents texted us and we didn’t respond, and the whole bunk is going nuts…. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us do our jobs, and if there is something you need to know, we WILL let you know. Thank you and have a Gutte Voch!
When the day comes and you have children of your own, you’ll see that it doesn’t work that way, the kids are young and the parents are concerned. You won’t understand it until you are in their place
If you don’t want this counselor to be your child’s counselor, don’t send your kids to camp
Why does a counselor carry around his phone? Put it away so your focus on the kids. As an added benefit you won’t see the messages from the parents.
Just tell the parents that you don’t have your phone with you during the summer and you’ll be free. Lol.
Why does a parent carry around his/her phone? Put it away so your focus is on the kids. As an added benefit you won’t see messages from your in-laws
….However, from experience it’s not easy to get thru when important issues come up, and there needs to be a way parents can reach the counselor directly.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to designate a specific time in the day when messages will be answered.
Thank you for bringing this up….
As usual- working things out in a positive way and communicating is the best way …..
This is so true and I hope all the parents that read this understand that it’s literally the point of camp: To be away from home, gain independence and leave the mothers.
Your children Are being properly taken care of.
Especially being the rebbes camp where The Rebbe said that it’s to be away from the mothers who sometimes (even todays generation) can have a influence on the children lacking of Chayus and chasidishkeit/Yiddishkeit which they may not achieve in school…
Something to think about ….
As a counselor I see this very much. For example I had a kid who was doing fine, then his parent had “just one message for him”. What happened after was a camper having constant contact with his parents. Which only made him more homesick.
So I’d line to really thank that parent for making the summer harder for everyone
Counsellors should be UNAVAILABLE for any communications from ANYONE other than
1) the camp director;
2) head counsellor;
3) section head
during the time he is on duty – I. E. until his campers are asleep.
Are you doing the Same thing when you’re at home with your children?!
This also goes for the girls’ camps
Very well written! I myself am a counselor in a sleep away camp and can attest to this article. Thank you to the author!
I fully agree with all of the above
Words of wisdom spoken by a nice youngster. Plenary of years of life experience to know what is best is for each child… I have a bridge to sell you too.
I would venture to say that if you think your child won’t work with the regular approach, it may be best not to send him to camp.
Camps are not specialized and tailored educational facilities.
You don’t like or agree with what he said you have to put him down? Have a little humility and also see if you can lift yourself up
And by the way, counselors are people as well. With brains. They deal with your kids, his/her family, and many others, so maybe they do understand something that you could learn from them
But some camps they’re literally nobody to talk to. Maybe they need to hire a camp mom!!!!
I love it when counselors fresh out of diapers give parenting advice. Children are very nervous going to camp, life is more fragile nowadays. The parents know what is best for their kids. Parents need to be in the loop and help direct how to have their kids adjust properly. The days of “let the kid rough it out” are over. Camps should be required now to have the counselors call the parents before camp starts so that they can share what is important to know about their child. Additionally the children should know who their bunkmates are before getting… Read more »
Keep your kid at home then, why are you sending him to camp?
Camp isn’t a babysitting service
I started camp at 10, cried for exactly 2 nights from homesickness, and then didn’t think about my parents until visiting day, other than our once weekly phone time, at a pay phone, with six other girls lined up behind me and three quarters in my hand. Same for the rest of my bunk. If your delicate flower is too nervous to spend a month away without calling mommy and totty every night, consider not sending them until they’re ready.
Sincerely,
Camper turned frustrated staffer
Based on your great input/responce a) Price of camp just increased b) A second (communication/report) counselor will be hired providing immediate info/videos response so parents could feel safe/sound c) Life video/audio cameras will be installed at every possible angle (just in case your child NEEDS your immediate attention d) Every counselor will be wearing a chest active (police) camera e) Parents will be able to come/appear at camp in designated area at all (24H) times f) Children will have a Special phone in their bunk supplied by the camp just in case the child miss his/her parents “very much” ,… Read more »
While yes, the counselors are young, some respect would be in order, especially as they are going to be taking care of your kid for the whole month or two. “Just out of diapers”??? Come on, be respectful.
So why on earth are you entrusting your kids in their care? Either you trust them, or you don’t.
If you don’t, being in touch via whatsapp is not gonna cut it anyway. If you do enough to put your kid in their care, let them do their job.
Actually in fact in CGI Parksville the head counslers called every parent before camp to speak to each mother to hear their concerns. So after that there is no reason for them to call the counslers
Besides seeking out help re parenting/psychology/thereapy as many pointed out,
please please make sure you pay your kids counselors 500 min each. I’m not joking. Do the math for any normal job and that’s way below minimum wage
Boys and girls go to camp as staff to help your kid have the best summer possible they don’t get paid near to what they deserve if you want to lay out more money for a premium service I’m sure you can Pay more
Interesting article, oh please!
most of the counsellors are young and immature
I wouldn’t think of them of being responsible and able to properly take care of children.
The author is speaking as if they are a older mature adult with years of experience and a degree,
If you don’t trust camps/counselors, keep him home and hire a babysitter
These counselors will be raising their own children a mere few years after caring for yours. Of course they can’t be compared to a seasoned mom, but they can definitely be responsible and capable of taking care of children. I’ve already been a counselor for three years, and I can’t speak for others, but I actually care. Each child is very precious to me and I give them all I’ve got. I might be a few decades younger than you, and I don’t know what you were like at my age, but please don’t judge. And most importantly, patience and… Read more »
As a parent to multiple kids in camp and that were in camp I understand the devotion the the counselors have towards to the kids and I am very grateful for all there hard work and as a parent I can understand the want to contact the counselors at all time but I know my limits.
Therefore I would really like to give it up to the counselors who really put their whole heart into their job keep it up
Imagine if a pilot would take calls from passengers, Have a nice, good & healthy summer and please give your kids the necessary space & time to grow
If ( you really have) any (real) concerns call camp management
Now imagine a pilot who is taking calls from everyone EXCEPT the passengers….
Perhaps it’s better off that’s the pilot at least be talking to and about the passengers themselves
So let the pilot run the show.
If the plane is flying nicely and everyones had a great time, simply appreciate it and say thank you. Especially because he or she is hardly getting paid
I couldn’t agree more
While parents should not be constantly calling or texting counselors, they should have a contact with camp and know what is going on. They should be getting a weekly report on how their children are doing. Unfortunately I have seen misbehavior of counselors towards their campers. Counselors are very young and watching young children, so if there was proper training and guidance parents wouldn’t be as concerned.
While the counselors are on the phone a whole day ?? Facebook TikTok twitter etc etc
Don’t send your kid to camp, our job is to entertain them the WHOLE day, instead of at home when they’re out in school till 4 o’clock and then spend the next 7 hours on their smart device! Please, some appreciation is accepted!
But not Facebook. This is a different generation ppl.
When these parents were campers, there was no way for parents to bombard staff. No cell phone, no whatsapp, no texting. Parents, calm down and chill out.
Sincerely,
A fellow parent
And when these parents were counselors, they didn’t have cell phones with them distracting them 24/6
i sincerely respect u for that
This has been a big problem for many years now in camps! As a former counselor in camp, this presented a yearly problem for me and countless others I was with. Thank you for writing this important article
Also, parents are totally fine with going to a restaurant and tipping 18% and for some reason comes to the person who’s getting paid Pennie’s to take care of their children for the summer and $100 bucks does the job!
After paying more than 2k a month for each kid. 100$ tip is amazing!
Complain to your camp for a raise!
Which camp is has parents tipping $100? I want to go there
I’d be happy with a 20$ the camp should pay more
Obviously not a counselor lol
Why are counselors on their phones? Why are their phones in camp?
Seems like this article could have been solved at the camp directors desk.
Is your phone off during work?!
Yes
I counsel people and my phone is off
Check out the difference of pay. You get paid in a few sessions what counselors get paid for two months of hard work
As a second year counselor, I can affirm that this is 100 per cent true. Let us do our job.
Don’t bring your cell phone to camp
Maybe you shouldn’t brink it to work or whenever your children are home to give them the proper care..
The author exhibits tremendous confidence and experience. Yet at the same his complaints betray the exact opposite: lack of confidence, and even less experience. Taking to the airwaves to announce to the parent body — the majority of whom are far more experienced and mature — how wrong they are, expresses arrogance and a total lack of self awareness. May I suggest you either quit, or confer with your mashpiah or parents, and remind yourself why you took this job in the first place. Any issues you have with particular parents should be addressed directly with them, and I’m sure… Read more »
You should quit, but thank you for your hard work 😉
The only arrogance I see is someone who thinks they inherently know more for no other reason than their age. And tells the younger one to quit, just because he’s younger.
The author has a point regardless of his age
This article is from every counselor. So what happens is:
1. They quit
2. No camp to send your kids to
3. Your kids are at home
4. You’re crying in bed wishing you never wrote that one comment
As a parent, I agree 100%
Big thank you to be the first to publicly write about a issue gone unaddressed for too long
Suppose a counselor gets overwhelmed by a parent contacting him. How can he properly handle a bunk of campers? (I am sure there are more overwhelming aspects to being a counselor) Is the counselor really paying attention to “the child’s sense of independence and personal growth, self-reliance, decision-making skills, and problem-solving abilities”?(Wow! The camps have gotten really professional!) Also, if the camp is genuinely structured, how does the child learn to be independent? (They can always turn to their counselors, who are mentors, caregivers, and role models. I thought those positions took away independence, “Parents.”) Have a happy summer filled… Read more »
Don’t send your kids.
Or open your camp with all of the above garbage
Yes parents! Trust your nine year old with a 19 year old counselor who has never had children himself and never had experience taking care of the physical, emotional, academic and spiritual well being of a single kid – never mind 15 campers.
Just trust your most precious children with this counselor without question or concern!
And certainly, don’t believe any of the stories of bullying, kids falling between the cracks, or counselor inexperience or misbehavior! None of this could ever happen to your kid!
By the way, we are packed, so no discounts and no questions.
You do realize you send your kids to camp willingly.?
Have respect for the 24/7 work these guys do!
And if you don’t like it don’t send your kids!
Let them stay home on their phones and suck up all the garbage of the internet.
If only parents realized how much garbage and inappropriate content their children watch every day.
Come on parents. Wake up !
Coming from a parent I see clearly the improvement in my kids when they have a chance to grow independently in a good atmosphere like gan yisroel
1. There may be some helicopter parents who drive counselors crazy with texting, but I don’t think all parents are like that.
2. Why do you have to respond to each text? You can put phone on silent mode etc so you don’t see the texts during work time.
3. Parents have a point when they say they deserve to have communication about their children on a weekly basis.
4. Parents communicating with campers via the counselor’s phone is not good. Should be done via camp administration/head counselors.
This is coming from a camp that has a full time staff member for communication but the parents anyway go and contact the counselors and “buy out” (whether they even tip well) their whole summer harassing the counselors or showing up to camp when they have a rule against that! Parents: if you can’t follow the rules you expect your kids too? Camp has policies camp has the way it runs and respect that! Contact the camp the way the camp has set up to do it and leave the poor 18 year old who has enough to deal with… Read more »
…. a clause in the written paraphernalia of the camp, to set a protocol for this situation. Perhaps set a specific limit to calls and specific explanations as to what type of call will be responded to.
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When I sent my older kids to Camp the staff’s flip phones didn’t work on campgrounds due to lack of service. Now, the counselors (bochurim in zal!!!) bring smart phones and tables they use over camp’s wifi.
Please draw your own conclusions…..
I guess an important component of an enjoyable summer for a staff member is being on WhatsApp 24/6
Call parents from office phone, why give out your phone number?
A lot of times the parents will do research to find what their number is- the parent has a nephew who’s a staff in camp, who says who their child’s counselor are, etc etc
As a teacher, I could also struggle with the same issues. Not sure what the answer is…
Our responsibility in school is to be a safe and present presence for the children.
I don’t want to argue with you.
But the idea that the campers are not to be in touch at all with their parents or getting any messages from them is the same as you the counselors coming to Camp without any phones. I think it’s either or.
But here we have counselors with smartphones and all the distractions that come along with them, and the campers can’t be in touch.
It seems funny.
Always wondered why everyone stopped sending letters… seems like a wonderful opportunity to pioneer the letter-writing renaissance
Dear camp counselor,
Seems like you want the best of both worlds; the fun and enjoyment your smart phone offers you, but parents not being allowed to contact you?
I will let others weigh in.
Nothing in the article was about a smart phone. The reason he’s upset is not because the parent is using up his data when they text, it’s that he has the responsibility of 13 boys, while each mother looks at it like her son is the only one, but he has to make sure ALL 13 are eating, and ALL 13 are not getting bullied, and it’s legit a 24 hour job, besides for the fact that kids being kids have no appreciation whatsoever and just complain all day no matter what we do. And on top of that not… Read more »
Pay the counselors more then $200 in canteen for their 24/7 hard work.
Back in the day parents didn’t helicopter and teenage counselors wouldn’t have the arrogance to write something like this.
Lianyas daati, last generation’s helicopter parents produced this crop of know-it-all kids who are now raising this blowback. Oilom hahphuch.
As an “older” parent who has been sending kids to overnight camp for years. I have never once contacted the counselor directly. I didnt even know it was possible. I’m not sure why I was under the impression that the counselors didnt even have access to their phones. I will say that now that there is no longer visiting day in the camp I send my daughter to, I find it very difficult as a parent to have no real contact with my child for almost a month. If there is an issue going on, with no appropriate parental intervention,… Read more »
We hired rabbi yaakov Chaiton from chinuch through connection This year after debating if it’s needed or not for the last 2 years I can only say and advise Every camp and cheder should hire him It’s changed the whole environment and dynamic of camp Not just between staff and campers But also staff among each other and head staf/directors and staff I can say we have a better more solid camp experience bc of this training and the guidance rabbi Chaiton has given us I am sure I’m not the only one experiencing this however I can only speak… Read more »
I can tell you that this year I had a camper who was homesick, and he was allowed to call his parents once, now he needs to call them every morning and night or else they’ll sit at the side crying and refusing to do anything. As well I had another camper who was perfectly fine and happy, then he called his parents ONCE, and now he’s homesick and wants to leave camp. Just let your child be in camp. There are plenty of trained adults that are fit to take care of your kid. As well, many camps with… Read more »
If you think your counselor is too young and immature, send him to day camp. That’s the only real option.
Of course it’s harsh, overburdening and distractive to receive 5-10 whatsapps a day from parents. Of course parents are very concerned, especially when there’s an issue. Don’t people realize that having whatsapps and cell phones in camp, which is a respite (albeit one with responsibilities) for counselors too, is a really bad idea and will ruin the counselor’s rest, peace of mind and frame of mind cause parents to write incessantly distract counselors from their duties Sensitive complaints are hard for adults to take. Are we supposed to expect teens to be able to? And are we supposed to expect… Read more »
This is so off. What’s the big deal to just respond to parents who are concerned about their child.. as they should be. It doesn’t have to take over your day and change your primary priorities- that’s a little dramatic
Bonus # 1 My sons counselor had no time for communicating with parents but his friends told me he would spend many hours on streaming sites at night. (This counselor was an added benefit for the (2400) i paid for the one month. bonus #2 you get as a parent for $4500 (2 months) You dont get to know who is the one making ruchniusdike decisions in the camp. Its a very big big secret. Bonus # 3 you dont get to know how any audio that is played in camp, be it over the PA system or just from… Read more »
I cannot believe just how much of a lack of appreciation you have for the hardworking and selfless counselors.
Go complain elsewhere, we don’t want people like you together with our kids in camp
As a former staff member of an overnight camp, this is the unfortunate truth. Every word of it. It MUST be addressed, and the quicker the better.
Parksville has a great mashpia and I think other camps have as well. Maybe you could discuss all of your issues with him?
from what i understand, they only have for the first monthy, not second. Unless something changed.
When I was there two years ago they had both months
We are not paying too dollar for counselors to be distracted and being bad role models for our kids.
While you might be paying top dollar the counselors are getting far from top dollar
Don’t belong in camp ( or school or while even many times the parent uses it)
A phone can be away
A phone can be on silent.
A phone does not have to be answered in real time.
Ask of your camps or anywhere that people are in charge of caring for your children that phones be away.
Our children need present people for their physical and emotional well-being
While you’re at it. Put yours away too
I guarantee you this council will never mess with your child. It may be annoying but definitely reach out to your counselor make sure they know there’s a caring parent behind this kid that will go after him if the child is abused.
An ounce of prevention………
When I went to camp, it was only letters correspondence, it gave you a real camp experience, this sounds ridiculous, the staff shouldn’t be taking calls from parents and they should block a harassing parent, everything should go to the office, a harassing parent should be reported to the office.
My son is in CGI Parksville this summer and I heard from the head staff almost immediately that he was homesick-they were speaking with him, working with him and in constant communication with me. Berel Faiden is an incredible asset to CGI Parksville. He responds quickly and is very much on top of what’s going on. There is absolutely no reason to have to speak to the Counselor (yes, I’ll admit I’d love to but I understand why it’s detrimental! ) if there is good Head staff. It distracts them from their bunks and it’s not fair! Get in touch… Read more »
Why not set up a daily standardized report that each parent can check online every day to find out how their child is progressing b’gashmius u’v’ruchnius.? Maybe give it a daily “report card” format e.g. Subject:Davening, Cooperating in keeping their bed/belongings orderly, Cooperating in swimming/ swimming instruction, Cooperating in arts and crafts activities, Writing home, Socializing well with others, Attending/cooperating during shiurim etc. etc. The counsellor can use this pre-printed format to advise parents of their child’s progress or of a particular area that needs further discussion. It can also inform the parent/guardian which party to contact for such discussion.… Read more »
I don’t mean to spoil it but I think it might have a bad result for the kids who have parents helicopter, micromanaging, etc etc) that will scream or berate or even just bring the things up “why aren’t you like this, and why didn’t you do this bla bla” and it could ruin the pure and simple fun and bit of freedom the kids could have without someone watching their every move like throughout the year.
From experience
Camp staff are usually are kids themselves. Even the director is seldom a mehanech. Our camps do not pay attention to individual children’s needs. My kid was taken of the bus in the middle of the highway for misbehavior and picked up 5 min later. often there is no responsible adult to talk to…
If this is a regular occurrence, camps should be shut down.
If I were a parent and my child told me in his weekly phonecall that such an incident had happened, I would pick him up and bring him home and report the incident to CPS. HOw disgusting.
Pardon my ignorance, as I never went to a summer camp and have no plans to send any of my children to a summer camp. But parents who send to camp, here are some questions. Did you go to summer camp? If so, were your parents constantly barraging your counsellors with messages? I guess not, because in those days, there was no what’s app and probably no cell phones. Did you survive? If yes, then why bother your children’s counsellors? They will beH survive. If no, then why on earth are you sending your precious offspring to camp? If you… Read more »
I think collive should have a best comment contest instead of a purim costume contest
There are camp directors that put lev vnefesh into securing a successful summer in all aspects. Instead of driving camp counselors crazy, how about reaching out to the camp administration prior to the beginning of camp to understand how they may deal with issues that arise. I myself sent a daughter to camp and was concerned about how she was doing. Instead of looking for ways to reach the counselors I emailed the director, who promptly took care to reach out to whomever was in charge and I received an answer within a few hours and was told how my… Read more »