Recession and Camp?

If you are wondering whether you should allocate funds for a summer experience for your child,  here are some things to think about.

In a recent blog on parentdish.com  Kathy Unruh, executive director of the Camp Fire USA Orca Council in Tacoma, Washington, says that compared with an expensive family vacation, camp can be a less costly way to provide kids with summer fun while mom and dad get a break.

The price of a three week program at GYV is $2000 and your child will get more than you can imagine for that amount of money – lifelong memories and friends.

American Camp Association’s Guidelines for Parents

From the American Camp Association website

Questions To Ask Camp Directors
When looking through the various summer program brochures, you are bound to have questions pop into your head regarding the facilities, safety, activities, location, and so on.  In writing everything looks picture perfect and all you are reading sounds great.  But are you getting the information you need as a parent?  Take away all of the pretty pictures and unending lists of activites and what is left?  The American Camp Association is a group of camping professionals who have come together to share their knowledge and experience about summer programs to ensure program quality.  The ACA has been in existence for over 100 years and is highly regarded.  On their website the ACA created a list of questions which they recommend parents ask Camp Director’s when looking at a summer program (http://www.campparents.org/safetytips.php). 

GYV staff have added our responses to the questions

What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?

The Global Youth Village promotes respect as a standard for human interaction. Program activities help participants discover a common ground for understanding people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, by encouraging core human values such as peace, justice, tolerance, ethics, service, and equity.  Workshops promote skill building and leadership development. More information on GYV’s philosphy can be found at: Philosophy and Goals.

What is the camp director’s background?

The ACA minimum standards recommend directors possess a bachelor’s degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least 16 weeks of camp administrative experience.

Mary brings 22 years experience to the GYV, playing a key role in fundraising and youth recruitment throughout the year. During the summer months, she trains staff and oversees program quality and content. A native of Philadelphia, Mary received her Bachelors degree in Sociology and French from Trinity College in Washington D.C. She taught for several years at the pre-school and elementary levels, but has dedicated most of her life to training teens and young adults. Mary is fluent in French and “knows a little bit of Indonesian,” as she directs many of our U.S. State department sponsored programs with Indonesia. To watch a video featuring Mary go to Who We Are: Our Team. 

What training do counselors receive?

According to ACA at a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision.

At GYV, the summer starts with a 9-10 day training program for all staff.  Legacy staff share our signature methods for program design and delivery, group building, and lesson planning.  Staff training addresses the following areas: Human Relations, Intercultural Relations, Professional Skill Development and other components such as: facility set-up, curriculum planning, risk management, health care, and orientation specific to individual responsibilities.  To find out more go to: Staff Training.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?

ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs.  To find specific ratios go to their website at: How to Choose a Camp: Safety Tips.

At GYV the counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:3.

What are the ages of the counselors?

ACA standards recommend that 80 percent or more of the counseling/program staff be at least 18 years old. Staff must be at least 16 years old and be at least two years older than the campers with whom they work. 

At GYV, staff range in age from 21-45+  with 90% being above age 22. We attract very high caliber teaching due to our well-know currciulums and the unique opportunity the diverse population provides.  

 What are desired qualities in camp staff?

Every summer, Legacy recruits between 25-30 staff members to deliver our life-changing summer programs. The success of our programs is based on a comprehensive staff selection process.  We attract a diverse group of highly enthusiastic, idealistic, practical and committed adults who want to make a difference in the world.  We look at the combination of skills and how the team is constructed in order to offer a wide array of activities ranging from skill building workshops, to afternoon recreational activities, to cabin life and engaging all campus programs.  Please feel free to review the criteria for the various staff positions.

What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?

 The GYV staff return rate is 30-40%

Information provided in part by the American Camp Association.

Parent Reflects on Son’s Experience in Morocco

I wanted to take the time to thank you for giving my son the experience of his life by awarding him an exchange opportunity in Morocco summer 2008.  First let me compliment you on your ability to see that Max, although young, was fully up to the task! I believe he was an asset to your program and it is really your vision that allowed him to contribute. We noticed how much he matured on his trip from the minute he got off the plane but it was all good-he is still our wonderful son but seems to be much more appreciative of our care now that he has lived without us for several weeks. I encourage all parents of teenagers to send them away for a little while!

I was completely confident in Max’s safety and well-being the entire time he was in Morocco-from the moment his plane was met in Washington D.C. to his host family welcoming him with open arms. He was so well taken care of that, at times, Max ate so much delicious food he said he was literally stuffed! No more food could physically go down! All members of the family took time to work with him on his Arabic language, allowed him to observe the preparation of traditional meals and helped him with his every need. They tended to him without suffocation-he felt confident to do his own exploring around ancient Marrakech as well. It really was a wonderful combination of care and independence, and the perfect match for Max. So, while he did miss us a bit, he never mentioned it because he was so happy with is Moroccan family. Legacy did an excellent job with host family placement. The trips that the group took were definitely the highlight of Max’s journey. Riding camels across the Sahara, watching the ocean while eating breakfast on the roof of the hotel in Essaouira, attending Mosque in Rabat and buying Fez hats in Fes-these are memories he will treasure forever and solidified his love of Morocco, the Moroccan people and the Arabic culture. 

The school in Marrakech was top-notch. Max said upon his return, “Those are people who know how to teach.” Not only did his knowledge of Arabic expand immensely, he connected with his teachers on an emotional level and I believe the connections made will last a lifetime. Although the school days were long and the homework intense, he never felt overwhelmed and was able to meet the challenge.  Finally, the majority of students chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime experience were exceptional. Max has a couple of friends from this trip that I know he will stay in touch with forever. How nice for Max to associate with such a fine group of young people. I believe Legacy picked the cream of the crop for this very special journey and I am honored that my son was found to be worthy of such an honor. I am confident that he will bring back what he learned in Morocco and improve the understanding between our cultures for years to come. Already Max is singularly responsible for signing several of his friends up for Arabic class at Washington High this school year!

I am forever indebted to you for making my son a citizen of the world. There is no doubt in my mind that Max will be embarking on more adventures every summer between now and graduation.  Please accept my thanks and my gratitude.

~Alyssa Turk-McGee

Legacy International in partnership with American Language Center in Marrakesh delivered the Arabic Language Institute in 2007, 2008.  The program is supported by a grant form US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

What parents want to know

Mary Helmig, Program Director, talks about who your child will meet, what makes GYV unique, the recognition and support we receive, and the diverse population. 

Leila Baz, Staff Director, talks about GYV’s commitment to safety, the staff we hire, and how she came to work at the program.

Choosing GYV

To Speak with Other Parents: