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6 Hudson Valley Parent n February 2019 W hen I was growing up, summers were filled with games of tag and dodgeball, field trips to water parks and arcades and rainy afternoons braiding friendship bracelets. Every June, when the last school bell rang, I would get excited for a sunny summer full of fun with my friends at a local Orange County camp. When I was about eight years old, my mom traded in the regular camp plans for something extra special. That year, my Harry Potter-obsessed brother and I attended a magical camp at Mad Science. We mixed potions, made slime and were wizards for a week. As a kid, I was so happy that I was getting to pretend I was at Hogwarts. My mother was even happier that I was using my imagination and learning all at once. A few years later, my new obsession was fly fishing. During the summer, I would spend almost every weekend at my grandparents' lakeside home in Sullivan County. My brothers and I would stand out on the dock for hours with a fishing pole in the hopes of catching just one fish. We would run down to the shore, tackle boxes in hand, dressed in water shoes and colorful life jackets, and hop into the row boat for an afternoon of fishing, floating and fun. Then, my grandmother bought us our first fly tying kit and I was hooked! My mother found a sleepaway camp in the Catskills that catered to my new hobby and I spent an unforgettable few days tying extravagant flies, learning how to cast and standing in the river in rubber waders. As a tween, I was so happy that I was getting to spend time doing something I loved. My mother was even happier that I was gaining independence at my first real experience away from home and making new friends. When I was younger, I had no idea that my exciting summer plans were made months in advance. It wasn't until I started working at Hudson Valley Parent that I realized my plans for fun in the sun were made while there was still snow on the ground. Parents all over the Hudson Valley are making camp plans for their child starting now. That's why Hudson Valley Parent has once again provided you with our annual camp guide. This year, it's packed with over 200 camps spanning all across the Hudson Valley. No matter your child's age or interests, there is a camp that will be the perfect fit. Looking for a day camp that will be perfect for your little one? We have listings for places that will be just right for your creative camper, your athletic child or even your kid that loves to learn. If your growing child is looking for more independence this summer, there are overnight options that could give them an unforgettable experience. Whatever your plans for summer may be, Hudson Valley Parent is here to help. Check out CampGuide.HVParent.com for even more information and reviews from parents just like you. Summer daydreams CASSIDY BRIGHTON Editor's Journal Publisher TERRIE GOLDSTEIN tgoldstein@excitingread.com Editor CASSIDY BRIGHTON cbrighton@excitingread.com Dir. of Consumer Development PAMELA PERRY pperry@excitingread.com Dir. of Business Development KATHLEEN MERZ kmerz@excitingread.com Executive Assistant LESLIE CORTES lcortes@excitingread.com Media Advisor MARY ZAK mzak@excitingread.com Cover Photography MICHAEL BLOOM MichaelBloomPhoto.com Layout & Design ENGLE PRINTING also publishers of MY TripPlanner.com family MY TripPlanner.com family Hudson Valley Parent is published monthly by: The Professional Image Marketing & Public Relations Inc. 174 South Street • Newburgh, NY 12550 Phone: 845-562-3606 • Fax: 845-562-3681 hvparent.com This publication is copyrighted by the publisher. Reproduction without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Hudson Valley Parent welcomes submissions, although we cannot accept responsibility for work submitted nor guarantee publication.