Camp Shane is better than you think
Written: Mar 04 '03
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Pros: the weight does come off for every kid
Cons: spoiled kids and the health facilities
The Bottom Line: don't judge a book by it's cover, we can gareentee weight loss,realize, it's not a luxury camp, and the food will be different
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| shaner02's Full Review: Camp Shane |
I worked there in the summer of 2002, and would like to address the gross misrepresentations stated from some other reviewers.
Kids do only get five minutes to make a phone call home. Camp is supposed to be about them, kids do get five minutes with both parents if they are seperated or divorced, but the phone calls are just used to touch base to make sure the kids are safe and having fun. The kids are required to write letters home everyweek, and trust me, a letter from home is a whole lot better than a phone call.
The food, is not as bad as the people say.. They got to realize it is a fat camp, the food will be different. NO sugar, portioned meals, healthy food. Yes the staff makes every effort to make it appealing, but if your child is used to eating junk food 24/7, it will be a rude awakening. It is also true that we only serve water. It is hot and the kids are running around doing different activities all day, so water is served to keep them hydrated. Don't send you kid to camp without a couple water bottles.
third, the living facilities, are not the ritz carlton. These kids come in here and are expected to pull there own weight with chores. Our maintance staff are not there to clean the bathrooms, we do it. It's a typical sleep away camp. bunk beds, have to wear shower shoes in the shower, The cabins are a little outdated, but the camp can't afford to redo all the bunks at once. Yes, you might have a cold shower, you might have a lumpy mattress, but its a bed in a room.
fourth, Some activities are not always running. The dunebuggy's court was flooded, and they were working on it all summer. OUr counselors can only do so much, especially the sports specialists. The general purpose isn't so they master a certain sport, it is to get them active and involved. WE try to make it fun, and interesting.
fifth, Campers better come with a good attitude, since it is a weight loss camp, it will be different from other camps. Your goal while you are there is to lose weight, get active and be healthier. Our goal for campers is that they lose weight and have some fun and make friends. Every camper there is overweight, so they are not alone in this process. Predominatly the staff is there as well to lose weight. It's a lot easier when you see your counselor has the same struggles as you do, but can achieve them in a fun atmosphere.
finally, the health issue. They are only open certain hours in the morning and evening, unless it is an emeregency. There was a phenomenon at camp this past summer. The kids often haven't been so active in a long time, to either rest, or take a break, or to go back to a somewhat normalcy, they will "fake an injury". the camp owns stock in ice packs and aspiren. 85% of the health trips were so kids could get out of doing activities. Its a strain on our staff, because we have to escort them to the health center, and that leaves our other counselors to handle the rest of the bunch. the only reason to go to the health center during the middle of the day is if your child is bleeding, throwing up, or not breathing. There are emergency phones all over camp incase we need help, and predominatly all of our staff knows basic medical care.
so here are a few suggestions to make camps successiful
1. kids will be homesick, so send the stuffed animal, pictures of friends and home with them. Give them a phone card, and plenty of letters and stamps.
2. Resist the urge to give in, i have heard so many stories from campers to try to go home, 95% were blunt lies. We try to make the atmosphere fun and enjoyable, and it takes time to adjust to new situations.
3. Realize letters about how bad the food is and how little it is are not true. The kids are given three well balanced portioned meals a day plus two snacks. We try to make it the same food kids can eat at home, but since it is a weight loss camp the food will be different.
4 Three waterbottles are a must, along with lots of sunscreen. and a hat. Send mulitlples of all three, cause kids will forget them on the field or lose one. There are waterfountains all over camp to fill up.
5. Don't ever say anything negative toward your kids process, whether it was you deciding to send them here or on their own accord, stay positive. I heard a parent say don't come home until you lose a hundred pounds. We spent the next three weeks, along with guidance counselors trying to overcome the detriment that parent caused.
6. Finally, show up on parents weekend if at all possible, it's the one time the kids get to go off camp unsupervised by counselors. It is their choice of what to eat off camp. It was so hard for the kids who didn't have parents come to hear all the stories of what they did off camp. the kids whose parents can't make it, do go off to a movie or a waterpark to get off camp.
also, on opening day... not all counselors can be in the bunk, some are off to the airport to pick other campers up, the rest are directing traffic, hauling luggage. It would be a lot harder if the luggage had to be carried by the parents, our staff brings the luggage up to teh bunks, to make it easier on the campers and parents. So please don't be turned off, if you don't see all the counselors at teh bunk waiting for your child. The rest of us are working hard to make the first day great....
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 1,000
Type of Camp: Other
Best Suited For: 13 to 17 years
Camper to Counselor Ratio: Fine mix of campers and counselors
Financial Aid Available: No
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Epinions.com ID:
shaner02
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Reviews written: 1
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