Trip fair gives students a look at over 30 summer programs available to them.
By: Dennis O’Neill
Dorothy Mullen of Princeton recalls the first summer her youngest son Max, a 17-year-old Princeton High School junior fell in love with water at Bay Head on the Jersey Shore.
Since then, Max’s swimming ability has caught up to his adventurous spirit. Last January, when he and his mother began searching for summer programs, Max had only one criterion water, and lots of it.
However, for someone who confesses that she is "allergic" to computers, doing research on the Internet was not a choice for Ms. Mullen. Fortunately, she found Helaine Isaacs of Montgomery.
Helaine Isaacs is an overnight camp consultant for Tips on Trips and Camps, a free consulting service that helps families make informed decisions about summer camps and specialty programs for kids 8 to 18.
"We provide more than just giving people brochures," Ms. Isaacs said. "It’s about trying to help parents identify a program, or a camp, that’s the right fit for their child."
After meeting Max and speaking with his mother, Ms. Isaacs helped to narrow his choices down to Longacre Expeditions in the Virgin Islands. He spent 20 days island-hopping by kayak, learning to snorkel and scuba dive, and camping on beautiful beaches where he discovered a love for fresh coconut milk.
"All I told Helaine is that Max is this old, this is what he is looking for, and this is what interests him," Ms. Mullen said. "She did all the research and had the appropriate programs mail us their brochures."
Matching people to the right place is not new to Ms. Isaacs. Before joining Tips on Trips and Camps three years ago, she worked as a professional recruiting consultant in corporate human resources for many years.
"I looked into many things before I found this company," Ms. Isaacs said. "I liked the women who worked there, and I thought they had a great deal of integrity."
Besides saving families time in research, Tips on Trips and Camps carefully screens all programs and camps it recommends. Ms. Isaacs added the company continually updates its evaluations.
In January 2003 Ms. Isaacs sponsored a mid-week evening fair that targeted high school students looking for enriching summer experiences. The free event, hosted by the Princeton High School PTO, was open to all Princeton area residents. More than 130 families attended the event, prompting Ms. Isaacs and the PTO to team up again this year.
On Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m., the second annual Summer Trip and Program Fair for Princeton Area High School Students will be held in the Princeton High School cafeteria. Representatives from more than 30 summer programs will be available to meet students and parents to discuss various camping and program options.
"There are possibilities that appeal to all kinds of teenagers. Some prefer a more cerebral experience, others are excited by physical challenge, some want to sleep in a hotel or dormitory throughout their travels and others backpack throughout remote regions," Ms. Isaacs said. "The programs are all valuable and are carefully screened before the fair."
Marielle Roth, a 15-year-old PHS sophomore, attended last year’s fair and was impressed with the variety of choices. Uninterested in any outdoor adventures, she was looking for a program with a music component. She found it in Explorations, a three-and-a-half week academic enrichment program at Yale University.
Although admittedly nervous about attending a large school program, Marielle quickly met new friends and enjoyed the close-knit community of other Explorations attendees and counselors who wore orange tags to identify themselves as part of the program. She joined an a cappella singing group, took classes in art, math and logic, and heard guest speakers who evoked standing ovations. She also attended three Broadway plays "The Lion King," "Movin’ Out" and "Stomp." However, her favorite part of the experience was meeting new friends.
"I liked meeting people from different places," Marielle said. "I still talk to some friends online, and I’m writing to a friend in Greece."
Her mother, Ronni Ticker, said that Ms. Isaacs did an excellent job in helping Marielle narrow down her choices and the fair was an invaluable resource.
"What I liked about the fair is that I didn’t have to ask Marielle ‘Do you like this or that?’" Ms. Ticker said. "I told her she could walk around and find what she wanted. It took the pressure off the situation." Ms. Isaacs said parents could use the fair in various ways. Some do research before and use the fair to narrow down their choices, while others wander around to see the variety of their choices.
Ms. Isaacs said a successful fair means that families were well served and got the information they needed to make informed decisions.
"I really love what I do," Ms. Isaacs said. "My satisfaction comes at the end of the summer when a parent calls me to say that their teenager had a wonderful experience."
For more information about the second annual Summer Trip and Program Fair, or for a free consultation on summer opportunities, contact Helaine Isaacs at Tips on Trips and Camps, (609) 497-3434, or online at [email protected].