I'm very upset ......camp issue- let me know what you think!

rivk241 ↓

Wed, Apr 01 2009, 7:09 pm

so heres my story . My 3 rd grader was in a backyard camp here in Monsey last summer and loved it. best of all it is very inexpensive. she surely wanted to go back this summer....they sent out the application around chanuka time. 1 week later I sent in my deposit. 4 days later I get the deposit back in the mail saying they are booked already?? I was like its chanuka for heavans sake who is thinking about camp yet!!!! I call the camp and she tells me she understands she is working on a way to accept more girls. So about every 4 weeks I've been calling like a silly nudge and "begging" just take my daught at least take the girls that were there last year and not any new girls. at a few times she said that if someone backs out I will get the spot. so low and behold a freind of my daughter just backed out . so I leave her a message" so and so just backed out so please let me know If she was supposed to come for the whole or half a summer. she calls me back" I;m sorry there is no way we can accpet anyone at this time!??? I called her and said - you tell me something and you cant stick to your word- chutzpah!! so I'm really pissed right now.. I just learnt one thing not to beg for anything in life you dont get anywhere . and you know what I'm gonna badmouth them the way you get a good name is by treating people right and this wasnt handled very right. just wondering what you all think about this- sorry its soooo long Mad

leomom

Wed, Apr 01 2009, 7:56 pm

You seem really angry and a bit vengeful...

I understand your disappointment and have been in similar situations myself. But really, the healthiest thing to do would be to try to be dan l'kaf zechus and think of some rational explanations for why the person running the camp may have had to (seemingly) go back on her word.

Maybe she is helping someone who really needs the help by accepting someone else's child. Maybe you weren't the only person who wanted the place if someone cancelled. I'm sure there are a lot of other possible reasons. Chances are she is not a horrible person.

Meanwhile, tell her that if another opening does somehow come up, you're interested, but you will also explore other camps for your daughter. And then go find some other nice backyard camps that your daughter might like.

Fox

Wed, Apr 01 2009, 8:23 pm

Backyard camps are a trade-off. On one hand, they offer the advantage of being significantly cheaper than professionally-run day camps; on the other hand, they often suffer from an excess of "heimishness" that can be incredibly frustrating and maddening.

It sounds like last summer represented the first hand and this summer represents the second hand!

My DD runs a very successful backyard camp, and we work very hard to make it highly professional and help her learn management, marketing, and customer relations skills through her work -- not just make a few extra dollars. And guess what her biggest problem is? She finds it difficult to hire counselors because the word has gotten around that she expects everyone to be involved with the kids constantly -- not just sit and chat with their friends while keeping a general eye on the campers! Oh, and we received one complaint last summer from a parent who said, "None of the other backyard camps take field trips or do lots of activities like your camp. Why not just let the kids play in the backyard and lower the price?" No pleasing everyone!

I think yy is right; don't get too fixated on one camp. Even if your DD loved it, there are always plenty of other camps that she may enjoy just as much or more.

↑ rivk241

Thu, Apr 02 2009, 6:04 pm

I do see other backyard day camps in the community connections however none of my daughters freinds are going there so she doesnt want to be the only one and honestly I dont have the money now to send her to a real profeesional regular day camp - so I dont know what to do? she is in yeshiva of spring valley 3rd grade if anyone knows of a day camp that she would like please let me know- thanks email me at rivk24@hotmail.com