EDITOR’SNOTE
EDITOR'SNOTE
nancy macdonald I hate camp!
It's said the first step to solving a problem is admitting it. Well there, I admitted it.
I hate camp (and secretly although, not anymore, I loathe putting out the annual camp guide at this magazine.)
I never wanted to go to a camp when I was a child.
And I doubt, I'll ever send my daughter to camp. (Okay, she's very independent and strong-willed just like her mom, so she may have a different opinion, when camp comes a calling.)
One year, my mom thought it might be nice for this city kid to attend a summer camp.
I loved Girl Scouts. So, Camp Rice Moody (located in Reading, what seemed like the country to me) became the obvious choice.
I hated it! I went one day and never looked back.
And I don't regret it.
As I got older, and other kids went off to summer camps, I opted to walk a few blocks to the local park and enjoyed summer in the city.
Some days, I would hop on the bus and the "T" and explore the neighborhoods of Boston, especially "Downtown Crossing" with friends (Oh, how I miss Filene's and Jordan Marsh). And, other days, me and the "girls" would hang out at Revere Beach and just "people watch."
I don't feel like I missed out on the camp experience.
Today, there are 100s of camps available to children in the Bay State. Camp Moody is still around, but in the past couple of decades a new crop of specialty camps have appeared. If you name an interest, there is a camp.
Want to study chess? There's a camp. Aspire to be in a rock band? There's a camp for that too. Want to dance the summer away? There are plenty of performing arts, theatre, and music camps, too.
Inside this issue's 10th annual camp guide, writer Sarah MacDonald tackles athletic camps and their rise in popularity. Read her report on page 60.
As more families have two working parents, preschool and kindergarten camps have sprouted. Writer Lindsay Crone looks at the trend on page 64 and interviews experts on how to decide if your child is ready for the camp experience.
The world is not as safe as it used to be and as I mentioned, more families have two working parents, so many families opt to enroll their children in camp all summer long, so they know they are safe, yet entertained.
But, how much camp is too much camp? Writer Marguerite Paolino uncovers how to avoid "Camp Burnout. Read her article on page 72.
And don't forget to take a moment and browse through the dozens of advertisers inside the 10th Annual Camp Guide. Perhaps, there is a camp perfect for each child in your family.
Besides the camp guide, this issue also contain a children's furniture and home dcor section, a fashion spread on raingear to brighten any grey day, and an article on learning the Montessori way.
We also have a special report on the best family-friendly communities in Massachusetts. Worcester resident and parent Andrew Schiller, the founder of Location, Inc., creator of the search engine NeighborhoodScout, and who has done research work for the Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and CBS Market Watch offered to research the top family-friendly communities in Eastern and Central Massachusetts for Bay State Parent.
His research identified 10 communities in Eastern and Central Massachusetts that are ideal for families and 10 communities that are a great "value" for families. Ironically, some towns appeared on both lists. You may even be surprised at which communities made the list and which did not. Writer Carrie Wattu profiled the top towns in each of the four categories. Read Dr. Schiller's research on page 34 and Wattu's community profiles beginning on page 35. Let me know if you agree with the research.
Finally, this is award season for us here at Bay State Parent. And while I am always excited to earn a few awards, I'm just as elated to hear from you, our readers.
In my opinion, the entire page filled with letters to the editor on page 8 is just as important as the story (below) on Bay State Parent winning more New England Press Association awards than any other monthly publication.
Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy lives to write or e-mail your thoughts about the magazine. In fact, I had more letters than space available this month. (Those letters will run in a future issue.)
I take into consideration the positive and the negative comments received, as I plan upcoming issues. So, keep the feedback coming!
Susan Scully Petroni editor@baystateparent.com
