How Important Are Online Reviews When Choosing An Overnight Summer Camp?
The phenomenon of online reviews has been a nothing short of a revolution in the way business is conducted in just about every possible arena. From rating smartphones and other gadgets to restaurants and doctors; those willing to take the time to post their thoughts on products and services have empowered their fellow consumers to make better decisions and helped hold businesses accountable. Overnight summer camps are not immune to this consumer scrutiny.
In reviewing summer camp programs, not only do the parents discuss in detail their child's experience, but the children themselves also rate their experience, though sometimes based on somewhat different criteria. Adolescent girls, in particular, are quite verbal about what they liked and didn't like about the time spent at camp, so parents with girls in this age group are able to gain a lot of insight into 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 environment, 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 teen, a younger child might prefer a different environment with more activities more suited to their social and physical skill sets.
While parents will always have a list of "musts" (such as safety records, qualifications and experience of counselors and staff, and of course, cost), by carefully reading the reviews of former campers, they can find out whether the girls liked the camp in general, if the learning environment was stimulating and encouraging, and whether those who attended felt the summer camp program was worthwhile and memorable as a whole. It is important to note that when the public is able to post reviews, it is a rare business indeed that does not receive some negative comments. So consumers should focus on where the majority of ratings fall, rather than on a single comment.
Once a camp is selected, preparing for the trip to the summer camp can be a family affair, and there are details to take care of long before it comes time to pack up and go. In general, girls will happily take the time to research a camp, and to ensure 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 give a family a good basis on which to make an important decision. Attendees 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 perfect locale for their child.
In reviewing summer camp programs, not only do the parents discuss in detail their child's experience, but the children themselves also rate their experience, though sometimes based on somewhat different criteria. Adolescent girls, in particular, are quite verbal about what they liked and didn't like about the time spent at camp, so parents with girls in this age group are able to gain a lot of insight into 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 environment, 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 teen, a younger child might prefer a different environment with more activities more suited to their social and physical skill sets.
While parents will always have a list of "musts" (such as safety records, qualifications and experience of counselors and staff, and of course, cost), by carefully reading the reviews of former campers, they can find out whether the girls liked the camp in general, if the learning environment was stimulating and encouraging, and whether those who attended felt the summer camp program was worthwhile and memorable as a whole. It is important to note that when the public is able to post reviews, it is a rare business indeed that does not receive some negative comments. So consumers should focus on where the majority of ratings fall, rather than on a single comment.
Once a camp is selected, preparing for the trip to the summer camp can be a family affair, and there are details to take care of long before it comes time to pack up and go. In general, girls will happily take the time to research a camp, and to ensure 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 give a family a good basis on which to make an important decision. Attendees 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 perfect locale for their child.