How Important are Online Reviews When Choosing an Overnight Summer Camp?

Fernwood Cove

The phenomenon of online reviews has been nothing short of a revolution in terms of how business is conducted in just about every possible arena. From ranking smart phones and other gadgets to dining establishments and doctors; those willing to invest time to post their thoughts on products and services have empowered their fellow consumers to make better decisions and helped hold companies accountable. Overnight summer camps are not protected from this consumer scrutiny.

In reviewing summer camp programs, not only do the parents discuss at length their child’s experience, but the kids themselves also rate their experience, though sometimes based on somewhat different criteria. Teenage girls, in particular, are quite verbal about what they liked and didn’t like about the time spent at camp, so families with girls in this age group will be able to gain a lot of guidance for whether or not each camp is worthy of consideration.

When girls leave comments and reviews, they are, of course, generally more focused on the social atmosphere, that being the most important to them. Parents should, however, be cognizant that while a camp may provide a stimulating and great experience for a teenager, a younger child might prefer another environment with more things to do more appropriate for their social and physical skill sets.

While parents will always have a number of “musts” (such as safety records, qualifications and experience of counselors and staff, and of course, expense), by attentively reading the reviews of previous campers, they can find out whether the girls liked the camp in general, if the learning atmosphere was stimulating and motivating, and whether those who attended felt the summer camp program was worthwhile and memorable as a whole. It is advisable to be aware that when the public is able to publish reviews, it is a rare business indeed that does not receive some negative feedback. So consumers should concentrate on where the majority of ratings fall, rather than a single comment.

Once a camp is selected, preparing for the trip to the summer camp can be a family event, and there are details to take care of well before it is time to pack up and go. Generally speaking, girls will gladly take the time to investigate a camp, and to make certain they are properly prepared before they go. Any camp worth its salt will send along a list of things that your child will need for a happy stay, and girls are more likely than boys to go over that list with a fine toothed comb and make sure they pack every item on it before it is time to leave.

The ability to pull up reviews does provide a family a good basis on which to make an important decision. Participants of summer camps often make memories that last forever, and taking the time to read online reviews from parents and the participants alike can help parents choose the best locale for their child.

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If you are a parent, looking for one of the top overnight summer camps in the U.S, author Stephen Daniels recommends Fernwood Cove. Located in Harrison, Maine, this ACA-accredited summer camp encourages participation, exploration, personal growth and self-discovery through outdoor activities and community building, and has received very good reviews from parents and campers alike.

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