Camp Half Moon
Camp Half Moon is celebrating 91 amazing summers in the Berkshires. Experience the adventure and excitement this summer with over 45 elective activities. Beautiful lakeside campus, heated pool, skate park, zip-line. Enroll Today.
For more information, call (888) 528-0940 or visit www.camphalfmoon.com, email: info@camphalfmoon.com. Follow us on facebook.

Camp Laurelwood
Camp Laurelwood, Connecticut’s only Jewish co-ed overnight camp provides safe, high quality camping to youth 7-15 years of age. Camp boasts two pools, boating lake, archery, ropes course, all land sports, drama, arts and crafts and a Kosher Kitchen. First time camper incentives available.
Camp Laurelwood is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Visit our Open Houses, Sunday, March 17, April 7, May 5, and June 2, all from 1-3 p.m.
For information contact info@laurelwood.org or (203) 421-3736.
Camp Lee Mar: A Special Camp for Special Kids
Camp Lee Mar celebrates its 61st season this summer. Camp Lee Mar is a private residential special
needs camp for children and teenagers with mild to moderate developmental challenges. Campers enjoy traditional camp activities plus academics, speech and language therapy, daily living skills, and much more.
For more information: (215) 658-1708; gtour400@aol.com; www.leemar.com.

Computer Mania at National Computer Camps!

At NCC Kids Camp at Keyboards
Where can a youngster learn 2D and 3D video game design, create a phone App, learn web design, learn to program, create a video production, take apart a computer, and make new friends? The answer is at the National Computer Camp (NCC) at Fairfield University in Fairfield. Overnight and day programs as well as an optional sports program are also available. Campers may attend one or multi-week sessions with a continuous curriculum that is age appropriate and suitable for beginners to advanced. The camp is ideal for both experienced and first time campers. The coed campers, ages 8-18 enjoy small group instruction; each camper has his/her own computer.
Now in its 36th year, NCC is America’s original computer camp; in 1977 Dr. Zabinski, a professor at Fairfield University, established the very first of these educational summer camps coining the phrase “Computer Camp”.
NCC is where campers arrive with a dream and leave with a future.
For further information and a brochure visit the camp at www.NCCamp.com; e-mail: info@NCCamp.com or call 203-710-5771.

The Cohen Camps: Pembroke, Tel Noar, and Tevya
Three FUN Jewish overnight camps; one just right for your child! Pembroke for girls near Cape Cod. Tevya and Tel Noar (nut-free): co-ed and spirited in New Hampshire.
Trans-denominational; kosher.
For more information visit www.CohenCamps.org

The Road to Success: CollegePrepExpress
CollegePrepExpress offers a turn-key solution to college admissions. From grades to standardized tests to application essays and interview prep, CPE helps students on every step of the journey. With private tutoring and small classes (in West Hartford and online), stress reduction, “Prep Talks,” and blog posts, we’re serious about getting students into first choice colleges!
Michael J. Youmans, Ph.D.; CollegePrepExpress, LLC: The Fastest Route to Admissions www.CollegePrepExpress.com
www.facebook.com/CollegePrepExpress
www.twitter.com/CPE_DrYo
www.linkedin.com/in/michaelyoumans
Mike@CollegePrepExpress.com
myoumans@post.harvard.edu
Phone: (860) 519-1000

Holiday Hill hosts open house
Holiday Hill Day Camp for boys and girls ages 4-13 will begin its 62nd year of operation this summer. The camp’s philosophy emphasizes the optimum development of each child in a safe outdoor environment. The camp is located on more than 150 beautiful acres of fields and forest off Route 42 on the Cheshire/Prospect town line. It offers convenient bus transportation and nutritious child friendly meals.
An open house is planned for Sunday, May 5, 1-5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 387-2267 or visit www.hholidayholidaycamp.com

Summer Place offers many programs
The Summer Place at the University of Hartford offers five unique summer camp programs that share a commitment to excellence in curriculum, staff and facilities and a belief that learning and fun go hand-in-hand. The programs are Summer Place (grades 1-9): Summer Place Leaders in Training (grades 10-11): Kinderplace (children entering kindergarten: Li’l Place (pre-schoolers).
For more information, call (860) 768-4432 or visit www.summerplaceprograms.com

A working professional’s advice on Jewish summer camp
By Leo Margul/JNS.org

Camp was an amazing experience, and I remember it fondly. Looking back, there are a lot of things I would have done differently had I had the same skills I now use in my professional life. Jewish summer camp, just like any camp, was all about the connections, the friendships and romances that would last for years to come. How do I make new connections as an adult? Simple: networking. So listen children, apply my networking knowledge to your time at camp, and you’ll leave with some lifelong friends and some solid references for your resume.

Keeping you in mind
How do you cement any newfound connections you make? Like any adult, you hand out your business card. You should pre-print these before you go to camp. Make sure they highlight your skills in a brief and appealing way, something like “Leo Margul—Good at archery, O.K. at Frisbee, below average but passionate at soccer.” Then your contact info: “Cabin 4—left at the door, top bunk, large framed photo of parents.” They won’t forget you now.

Conversation starters
You show up at camp, you’re in a new environment, you know no one. What would an adult do in this situation? You guessed it: network. Go up to another kid and just mention something going on around you like “heard it’s supposed to rain tomorrow.” Adults call that “small talk,” and that’s how we do most of our communicating. Next, give an opinion that no one could disagree with, like “they have food here, and I like food.” You’re in.

Be clear
Just like in business, when seeking advice or a referral, it’s important to communicate your intentions clearly. So after your initial introduction, say, “I would like us to be friends and play together, what is your schedule like during swim time?” End your interaction at a natural break in the conversation, and then shake hands while maintaining eye contact. If they say you’re “being weird,” that means you’ve made a lasting impression.

Stay in touch
It’s important to maintain contact within your new network. Interrupt your friends while they’re playing, and ask if they’re free to grab coffee to talk about your initial friendship offer. Remember to write a thank you note, to let them know that their time is appreciated. Then check in from time to time, and congratulate them on any positive news you’ve heard. “That was a cool beaded bracelet you made today, Benjamin.”

Bonus: romantic relationships
Meeting and interacting with romantic interests can start at camp. It’s important to approach these situations with a plan as well. Luckily, what works to get someone’s interest as an adult can work just as well for your camp romance.
—There is nothing more appealing than being mysterious. While everyone is playing sports, where are you? Sitting in the woods alone. “He’s so cool, he must live by his own rules,” the ladies will say, as they swoon. Also, make sure to answer every question with “maybe” and then a wink, so no one will ever know what you’re thinking and they’ll be drawn to you. That last part actually works in real life.
—Tweens love feeling like adults. Show them you’re mature by talking about grown-up matters, like the finer points of a fixed rate mortgage.

Approaching every situation like a professional is a skill that only comes after years of practice, and applying it to your childhood will at least make you friends, and at worst leave you with 497 business cards.