By anonymous
As we prepare for the upcoming camp registration, I want to encourage you to think about some important aspects of the camp experience that may not always be visible from the outside.
Camp can be an incredible opportunity for children to grow and develop, but there’s often a lot happening behind the scenes that parents may not be aware of—especially when there are no visiting days.
For instance, when my daughter’s camp departs from Crown Heights, they use shiny new charter buses, showcasing a polished and impressive image for parents. However, when the camp transportation shifts to a school bus for regular trips during the summer—where parents can’t see the logistics—I can’t help but wonder what other corners might be cut when our oversight is lacking.
Last summer, I had to change my children’s transportation from the airport bus to the Crown Heights bus, which I assumed would be a straightforward process. To my surprise, the camp informed me that there would be a $100 fee for each child to make the switch.
The reason? They had already assigned specific seating arrangements. However, upon arriving at the airport to pick up my kids, I witnessed a different reality: While leaving from the city, the children travel on charter buses, however here, the camp had sent a school bus for the trip from the airport. And, there simply weren’t enough seats on the bus, with some children sitting in the aisle and on the stairs for the three-hour ride.
My concern extends beyond just this incident. What other practices might be happening that go unnoticed when parents are not present?
I believe there is a pressing need for greater transparency in our camp operations. It’s vital that we, as parents, advocate for our children’s safety and well-being.
First of all: aren’t you glad that the bus has air conditioning comfy seating buses for a three hour ride to camp?? Do you really think Camp should spend that kind of money for a 20 minute drive to the bowling alley or ice-skating rink?? Camp tries to provide the practical expenses so that YOU Don’t have to be paying an arm and leg. Many camps, give scholarship and try to keep their prices down for this exact reason. Second: if you’re worried that you can’t see what’s going on for the full 30 days, then perhaps the camp is… Read more »
Almost all camps are for profit and private organizations, so there’s no room for pity for the camp’s income and expense sheets. But if a client/parent wants more transparency it’s on them to ask any question they have about what’s provided. If they don’t like the answer or they don’t get the answer, then it’s on them to decide whether they want that level service or not. Your expectations don’t dictate what the camp must provide for your money. The realities and you decide whether you want the service.
What is wrong with a camp using school buses for their trips? Do you know what a charter bus cost? If they have enough seats for the kids to sit what is the issue. There are many bones to pick regarding camps, but school buses? That’s laughable.
If your concern is safety which I assume it is, address safety in general, not the fact that a school bus is used rather than a charter bus.
If a school bus is good for school trips, why isn’t it good for camp trips?
We pay a fortune and we’re very grateful while also putting our trust in the camp but we should have a say in the decisions they make for our children and there needs to be transparency and communication between parents and the camp. We’re putting our child in the camps care but we are not giving them up to the camp , we’re still their parents.
Can you please give idea of what things you want camps to have more transparency. Do you rent them to let all parents know if they were short a seat? Or what kind of bus they’re using?
You have zero say in what the camp decides to do. You only have a say in whether to send your child to a camp, based on what the camp decides to provide
I love this oped because the author doesn’t proport to have any specific ideas of what happens in camps, just baseless suspicious.
Some of the BEST memories from back are made on a yellow school bus.
Do you really expect camps to hire charter buses for camp trips?!
Do you really expect camps to use charter buses for each trip and camp still costing you approximately $100/day?
And in all honesty- yes it’s scary to send a kid away to camp and seemingly entrust their wellbeing in the camp admin & staff. But BH we have an Aibeshter who watches over our kids wherever they are, at any given moment, and we have to let go of our anxieties a little and trust that we are doing the right thing. Because in one month of camp there is more power than entire 10 months of school..
Where are you going to put luggage on a school bus? On the roof? The camp makes sensible choices and gets charter busses when they’re needed and school busses when that works.
My thoughts exactly
I love reading COLlive op eds
Do you not put your children on school buses every day? Don’t they use them for class trips? Yet somehow using the exact same buses during the summer is beyond the pale? When campers have a long ride ahead to camp, after in many cases traveling by plane or an additional long car ride with their parents, it’s great that the camps are able to provide such comfortable accommodations to begin the summer. But, just as the bunk isn’t a five star hotel, a school bus is perfectly acceptable as a way to get to and from camp outings. As… Read more »
We all know she’s right.
Did you just assume the writer’s gender?
The main point seems to have gotten lost by the authors criticism of using school buses for camp trips. The author even writes that her issue with camp extends far beyond the usage of school buses. The general point was the camp making compromising decisions behind or against the parents back. The camps need accountability. Even though the parents are placing their kids under the camps care,they are still parents at the end of the day and cannot be treated with this attitude from the camp that they as parents cannot sleep at night simply because they cannot question ,object… Read more »
if you are sending your kid to camp there is a certain amount of TRUST you NEED TO have in. the camp YOU chose to put your kid into (their hands ) so if they choose a school bus for short ride vs a charter bus for those long trips at the end of camp , thats what they decided to do that is most efficient and sometime the only company they can get that day at last minute at times , they try to make the best decisions perhaps putting more money into the programming and or food for… Read more »
dont send your kids to camp
While camp isn’t for everyone, it is definitely a crucial part of a child’s education!
If your child can handle it definitely worth the try
Totally agree with this article. It applies to camp, Yeshiva, seminary. We send our kids off implicitly trusting the staff, the hanhala to be making sure everyone is safe. There should be transparency about their safety rules. Are they allowing young inexperienced drivers to take our kids off site. Are the cars overloaded. Is the staff well trained for an emergency. Look at what happened in the seminary in Israel.
Not sure what you’re saying (or the post writer’s point). Ask to your heart’s content. Be aware of anything you want to know. Decide whether the school or camp is for you and your child. But the organizations doesn’t have to list everything they do. If asked, they’ll answer. If not, you have your answer
We are parents with over 30 years of campers in sleepover camps.
Over and over, we have found dedicated and responsible staff.
Thank you administration for your dedication and judgement.
I really appreciate how you speak or attempt to speak from such great authority as if you know what it takes to run a camp. Get behind the scenes, see the amount of effort and consideration is put in to give your child a safe and s excuse summer without charging you more. You may think your paying a fortune and yes camp is expensive, but you are paying the least they can realistically charge while giving your daughter an amazing time. And a safe summer. When we went to camp, trips??? What trips? We got on the bus on… Read more »
This appears to have been written by a parent who has always been on the receiving end of services, scholarships etc . Try giving. Organize an event, a field trip, something for the community at large. Be on the production side and see how your perspective changes.
Wow! Didn’t think such a topic would go so wide. This is camp it’s an experience, not about comfort. The coach bus is for the long ride and luggage and yes it’s totally normal to have trips with regular buses every single camp does.
Trust me everyone is doing a great job at camp,(unless they have zero experience with kids then that’s a different issue) though your kid is more then well taken care of.
If you’d like to sponsor Coach busses for every transport that happens in camp go ahead.
Let your children be. Enjoy your peaceful summer
Kamala Harris loves school buses
And they’re big. And the children ride on the big, yellow school buses. They don’t call them camp buses, because those are… camp… buses. I grew up working class, so I know. Or something like that.
regardless of how air conditioned the buses are! Camp is a time to relax and recharge, not luxury getaway with luxurious bathrooms and amazing food! You have the wrong idea of camp
i believe the main point the author was trying to make was regarding lack of oversight and safety and not knowing whats going on with your kids, and chose the bus situation as an example…..
This is the kind of op-ed that makes me think camp should go on all year, it is scary to send a kid back home knowing he has a parent like this, what else is this parent hiding. I think we need more transparency…
good one
It was quite a few years ago that my daughter, then age 17, was hired to be a full counselor for pre-school age children at a Chabad day camp in California. She had just gotten her driver license. It turned out that she was the only counselor in camp with a license and so they gave her the job of driving the other counselors to and from the residence to the campsite and for other trips as well. Living in New York, I was not informed. My daughter was thrilled to drive, but one Erev Shabbos they were running late.… Read more »
There are too many accidents nation-wide every year involving both charter and school busses. There are regulations for both which can vary by location. It is up to those renting these vehicles to check the safety records of the operating companies and not just go by cost. PS – BBB is not a reliable resource for checking. As an old time Girl Scout I recommend fewer excursions. There are many craft activities which are more valuable than adventure parks. These provide relaxation rather than overstimulation. Children can learn life skills which can be useful in later life but are not… Read more »
I think in boys camps it won’t be easy to adopt
Thank you for the writer of this article. I sent my kids for the first time last summer to an overnight camp. The pictures they have on their website of the camp were definitely majorly photoshopped. When we came for visiting day what we saw horrified my husband and me. The camp is a DUMP!! Also, we were horrified to learn that the camp gave our young children coffee every morning. Children under the age of 16 (at best) should not be allowed to drink coffee. On the same token the amount of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and salt that they got on a daily basis is mystifying and… Read more »
I also heard that they don’t provide our precious children with caviar and steak? Is that true?! If it is, how dare they mistreat our children, no doubt they will be held to account in olam hoemes
I think COL is a great platform, allowing different posters and opinions and then resulting comments and opinions… like a soap box in the middle of the park or market. Stand up. Say your piece. Others say their response. Everyone feels like they matter. And let’s not forget about all the underlying aspects of technology that comprise the platform on which COL exists – the computers, smartphones, screens, processors, internet backbone, electricity… the list and its sublists are almost endless. Wow. Aren’t we lucky to have it all?
This article should not have been published.
Think about the message to your children.
Would you like your kids to complain about the car you drive?
Do not wonder if your kids complain about you as a parent. You just taught them how.
Thank you camps for taking care of our holy children to the best of your ability 24 hours a day.
I’m sorry! If you don’t trust the camp to make the right decisions you absolutely should not be sending your child into their care. Camps need to make decisions, financial and otherwise while keeping the whole camp in mind.
Seriously, keep your child home under your care
Gut voch
My 3 year old grandson dreams about going on a yellow school bus.
If something is bothering you, please be more specific about the issue.
I recommend any one that have questions about how to run
Camp yeshivah school confrance or any other institution
To join one of them as part of the staff and team ….. And than talk.
Coming up with complains with out knowing anything about it very not nice not responsible
I am so lucky my parents sent me to pardas chana since I was in first grade. I went every summer for 2 months and had the best time in my life and learned more in camp than in school. The rebbe gave brochos for going to camp. The rebbe started camp and wanted us to go to camp and be involved in a chassidishe environment for 24/7. Each year the rebbe would speak to the staff in the overnight camps and give brochos and dollars. When camp was over, the rebbe made a rally. All the camps came back… Read more »