What Would Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill Say Is the Most Important Part of Camp?

When Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill thinks about the benefits of summer camp, one word comes to mind: friendship. While the go-carts, kayaks, and other activities are fun, the most important part of any camper's adventures at Camp Birch Hill will be the friends he makes. Too often, children are shy and spend most of their time at home playing video games and watching television. Summer camp removes these barriers to social engagement and allows campers to make friends for life. 

The numbers speak for themselves. The American Camp Association took a poll and discovered that 96% of campers said that camp helped them make new friends. This gave them a greater sense of self and helped propel them out of their shells. Nearly 70% of the parents polled said that their children still remain in contact with the people they met in camp. These numbers speak to the structure of summer camp.

Our campers eat together, play together, and learn together. Our counselors and campers become one community who can look to one another for guidance, help, or just someone to take up the last spot in a game of kickball. During your time at camp, you will meet people who you wouldn't have otherwise and get to know them better. By the end of camp, you will have many new friends, some even for life. Rich Morell loves many things about Camp Birch Hill, but the friendships that are fostered here exceed everything else.

Rich Morell: Summer Camp is a Cost-Effective Summer Activity

Rich Morell reassures parents that summer camp is a cost-effective activity while kids are home from school, contrary to most peoples' beliefs. And, a recent blog post on the personal finance portion of FoxBusiness.com confirms Morell's claim. According to the post, the average cost of popular summer activities per child is around the same amount as summer camp. In fact, many parents are spending nearly as much to take their kids to Six Flags as they do for summer camp.

While theme parks, sports, and pool/club memberships are certainly fun, are they necessary? Think about it: at summer camp, your child will have activities every day of the week that include sports, swimming, arts & crafts, and other physical and educational games. For the same cost as a day trip to a theme park, you could enroll your kid in summer camp where you are getting more for your money. Remember, this is the cost per child, so the price of parents accompanying them makes this number grow exponentially.

Owner and operator of Camp Birch Hill, Rich Morell, suggests that parents make a budget for kids' summer activities and stick to it as closely as possible. Whether children's days are spent at theme parks, expensive swim clubs, or at summer camp, parents should at least have a plan for how they'll spend their money until kids return to school in the fall. This way, no matter how you keep your kids busy during the summer, you can do so in the most cost-effective way possible. 

Summer Camp Safety Tips from Rich Morell at Camp Birch Hill

When it comes to sending kids to daycare, school, or summer camp, there's one common thing that goes through any parent's mind: will my child be safe? According to owner and director Rich Morell, Camp Birch Hill has experienced camp counselors, safety trainings for the staff, and health guidelines that keep kids safe and parents worry-free. Here are some of the questions he recommends that parents ask when it comes to researching the best summer camp for their kid(s):

What is the counselor to child ratio?

The more counselors there are, the more closely watched the kids will be. Many parents look at the teacher to child ratio when choosing schools, and the same theory applies to summer camp: the more individualized attention the child receives, the safer they'll be and the more they'll learn and thrive in a school or camp setting.

Does the staff receive safety training?

For maximum peace of mind, parents should find out if the counselors and other staff members at the camp receive safety training and if so, what kind. Most camps will require all staff members to pass a first aid/CPR course, but it doesn't hurt to double check. What is the medical protocol? Do all staff members know their role if a child needs medical attention?

According to Rich Morell at Camp Birch Hill, his staff receives rigorous safety training. On the website, you can see they even require pre-trip safety instructions for their whitewater rafting activities led by certified river experts. This is the type of information every parent should have before choosing a summer camp for their kid(s). 

What to Pack: Your Summer Camp Checklist by Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill

Some parents need help when it comes to packing and planning for summer camp for their kids. One of the ways to take the guesswork out of the process is to plan ahead when it comes to packing, transportation, and other details. Here is a checklist by Rich Morell, owner and director of Camp Birch Hill, for a streamlined planning process and maximum peace of mind:

First, check with the camp for their specific packing suggestions. Every organization is different, some allowing campers to bring far more comforts from home than others. Many camps have restrictions on food, so it's important to know what kids can and can't bring, including care packages. To start you off, here's a general list of must-have items:

Clothes

ü  1 shirt for each day + 2 extras

ü  1 pair of shorts or jeans for each day + 2 extras

ü  1 pair of socks for each day + 2 extras

ü  1 pair of underwear for each day + 2 extras

ü  2 bathing suits (& cover-ups)

ü  1 jacket

ü  2 sets of pajamas

ü  1 pair of flip flops for pool and/or shower

ü  1 pair of sneakers

Other Items

ü  Sunscreen

ü  Bug spray

ü  Bed linens - if necessary

ü  Pillow

ü  Toiletries

ü  Towels

ü  A good book

These are some of the must-have items for any overnight camping experience, and Rich Morell should know. For over 20 years, he has owned and operated Camp Birch Hill in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where campers can choose their own activities during their stay for the best possible camping trip. 

The Many Activities Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill Offers to Campers

Although we have said goodbye to another group of ecstatic campers, it's never too early to look to next year. The summer of 2013 should be another fun one at Camp Birch Hill, and here are some things your young campers can look forward to if you choose our camp. Rich Morell of Camp Birch Hill is always looking to improve on the summer camp experience, so you can always expect something new when you come to Camp Birch Hill.

The hallmark of any summer at Camp Birch Hill is our elective program. Too many camps enforce a strict schedule of activities that some campers might not be too enthusiastic about. There could be a variety of reasons why this is the case, including budget, lack of resources, location, etc. That is not the case here in New Durham. Rich Morell has created an elective program that incorporates many different activities, including sports, water sports, adventure activities, and creative arts. Whatever our campers' interests, we should be able to accommodate.

Besides our elective program, our campers can look forward to wonderful accommodations at one of our cabins, which include a bed, cubby, and locker for each camper. In addition, we don't like to brag, but our campers have said that our food is pretty darn good. However, most of the time, our campers will be actively participating in activities and events, making memories for a lifetime. See you next year!