By the end of the break, your child will be a stronger individual – with increased team building skills, lifelong friends and unforgettable memories. Choosing the perfect summer camp can be tough. The most important decision to make in choosing the best summer camps are – sleep away vs. day camps. Day camps often take kids from around 9 to 5pm (the typical workday for the average adult) and involve outings such as trips to pools, museums and the movies.

Sleep away camps are a bit different. They mostly take place outside on campgrounds set up for the occasion and heavily rely on carefully planned out outdoor activities. They usually last for around a week or two, but some can go almost all summer depending on the program you choose. An important thing to do before making the choice is to sit your child down and have a serious discussion about what both of you want out of the summer camp experience. What is your child looking to gain? What do you want them to gain? If you’ve previously attended a summer camp maybe look into its recent programs, and try to give your child the same life-changing experience you had as a youngster.

If it is a sleepaway camp, make sure your child feels comfortable with being away from home for an extended period of time and assure them that you are merely a phone call away if there is ever any trouble. Also determine what kind of size you are looking for in a camp – do you want your child to bond with a small group of individuals or thrust them into a larger environment?

Be sure to research the costs of the camps you are considering, because prices vary considerably. Day camps are usually only a few hundred dollars, especially if you choose to place your children in programs held by the local Y or other nonprofit organizations. Sleepaway camps can be a bit more expensive. One week usually costs around $500 and for a full summer season the cost can be anywhere between $3500 and $11000 depending on the quality of the camp and the activities it provides. Most camps usually put a heavy emphasis on outdoor sporting activities as a way of increasing team building skills and getting people to feel comfortable around another. These include standard sports such as basketball and baseball, but outdoor camps usually employ activities such as zip lines and relay races to enforce the idea of trusting your other campmates.

Many camps offer performing arts programs where campers engage in rigorous preparation for a performance at the end of the summer, usually crafting the sets and putting together the production all by themselves. Academic camps can help your child get ahead in the competitive academic world and prepare them for the challenges that the next school year might present.

These are just a few of the things you should consider when selecting a summer camp for your child. Regardless, it is sure to be a great experience they won’t soon forget. The memories they make at camp will live in their hearts forever, and they will have you to thank. Select the perfect camp today!

Families of all kinds, love to spend time camping in the summer. With all the beauty this world has to offer, there’s always a place to camp out under the stars and create magical family memories.

A big part of the camping experience is cooking in the great outdoors. Campfire cooking can take on many forms and a trip to your local sporting good store will help you get started.

But what will you cook?

How about Buckwheat Pecan Pancakes for breakfast and Camp Au Gratin Potatoes for lunch. These are just two of the many recipes you’ll find in the 101 Camping & Outdoor Recipes ebook.

Take a look -

Buckwheat Pecan Pancakes For Camping
(mix in a ziplocak bag)
2 c Buckwheat flour
1/2 t Salt
2/3 c Wheat flour
2 t Baking powder
2/3 c dry milk,Instant
3 T egg (optional), Dried
(in a small tight container)
2 T Oil
2 T Molasses
(add when mixing)
2 1/2 c Water
1/2 c Pecan halves
(for topping when done)
1/4 c Butter (optional)
1 c Maple syrup

This is a camping recipe. Assume moderate heat on a campfire or pack stove. When ready to cook, mix all ingredients except the butter and syrup and let set a couple minutes. If stiff, add a little more water. If you heat the pan well first, no oil is necessary; however you will need a good, flat metal spatula. If you have time, place 3 or 4 pecan halves on each cake instead of mixing them in. Serve hot with butter, syrup or jam. Can be saved for later in the day.

Only $3.00 for ebook

Ready for lunch?

Camp Au Gratin Potatoes
1 can of corned beef, 2 cans of tuna or similar meat
2 boxes au gratin potatoes
6 c water
1/2 c dry milk powder
1/4 c margarine or oil
1 medium pot for heating water
1 large pot for potatoes
1 stirring spoon

Put the corned beef or tuna on the bottom of the pan. Open the potato packages and layer the potatoes on top of the meat. Sprinkle
the cheese powder over the potatoes. Put the oil or margarine on the potatoes. Heat the water to near boiling and add the dry milk. Pour the hot liquid over the dry potatoes and put the pot on a moderate fire to simmer gently for 40 minutes. This arrangement should result in a slightly liquid mixture. Turn the pot from time to time if it is being kept at the edge of the fire to assure it heat all the way around. The oil or margarine is to keep the liquid from foaming. A smaller quantity or none can be used, but more care to keep the liquid from boiling over must be made. Good served with something that will sop up the extra juices.

You’ll get these tasty recipes, plus many more!
#27 – Campers Cookies
#78 – Mountain Man Breakfast
#82 – One Pan Breakfast
# 83 – Onion Swiss Steak

Only $3.00 for ebook