Jamie Simon Consulting

This article touched me...as a camp professional and as a parent.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-shamberg/open-letter-to-my-daughte_b_3600125.html

Open Letter to My Daughter, the Camper Tomorrow you leave for overnight camp, the first time you will be away from home for more than a night and/or not under the supervision of a loving Jewish grandparent. I wanted to give you some fatherly advice as you head out for what I'm sure will be the most fun you've ever had.

Summer camp...a gift for kids and their parents!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/living/camp-kids-technology-break/index.html

Sleepaway camp gives kids a tech break, and might even save your marriage Camp gives kids a needed tech break.

First day of camp? Stay safe and have fun!

Check out my interview with MSN News about how cultural changes have affected summer camp programs.

http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/why-russian-math-classes-are-the-new-summer-camps

Why Russian math classes are the new summer camps With colleges and even some high schools harder to get into these days, summer has become a time for kids to try to make themselves stand out.

Hope to see many of you at the ACA Virginias 2013 Day Camp Conference tomorrow at Congressional Camp. I will be offering a fun, interactive session on "Pocket Games" as well as a roundtable discussion about communicating effectively with parents. Spend your Saturday with camp people and get ready for the summer!

Is your summer staff handbook dull and uninspiring? Is that the message you want to send to your staff - our camp is boring? Give it new life with camper photos, parent testimonials, and inspirational phrases that will ignite passion and enthusiasm in every staff member.

Need a new perspective on your summer program? Need an outside pair of eyes to see things in new ways? I am currently booking observations for Summer 2013 - contact me for dates and rates!

Great idea for your 2013 staff training: Break staff into groups and assign each an issue (bullying, homesickness, etc) or important policy/procedure (dismissal, lunch, swim). Ask each group to create a Public Service Announcement video that demonstrates their topic, showing right and wrong ways to handle their situations. Then play the PSAs for the whole staff and engage in discussion while having a few laughs!

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to start thinking about your staff training. You only have one chance to "set the tone" of camp with your staff...make training fun, meaningful, and indicative of the summer ahead. Need some new ideas? Give me a call!

The ACA Tri-State Conference was a HUGE success! Thank you to all those who attended my sessions and thank you to all those who made the conference such a smooth and enjoyable experience. I will definitely be back again next year!

I was recently interviewed on current camp trends and what is "in" for kids during the summer. Check out the final product in this 2013 Camp Trends article in Washington Parent Magazine.

http://www.washingtonparent.com/articles/1303/camp-trends-2013.php

Washington Parent Washington Parent magazine has information for moms, dads and kids in DC, MD and Northern VA. Read for parenting news, things to do with kids, private schools, education, sleepaway and day camp, pregnancy, special needs, activities, events, day trips, doctors, parties, teens.

Prepping for the ACA Tri-State Conference in Atlantic City March 12-15. I am offering four sessions on everything from marketing to interviewing. Will I see you there?