Let me introduce myself

Hi - I'm Shari Levine, your Camp Expert in Westchester County, NY.

My first bunk

Sleepaway camp was always a dream for me: having grown up with divorced parents they cherished their summers with us so being away for 8 weeks, was not an option and there were not as many overnight short summer choices then as there are today.  I was an eager, enthusiastic day camper and teen traveler and I lived vicariously through my friends. I adored hearing all of their stories in our letters throughout the summers and slumber parties upon their returns each year. When my own children were of sleepaway age, I was insistent upon them attending knowing it would be the best experience. And it most certainly was, from the moment they started until their 10+ years were up.  My husband attended overnight camp for a few years and though it was not his favorite he was a true believer for our boys who will always say that their camp experiences were the high points of their formative years.

From camper to camp expert

Having studied education and speech-language pathology in college and then working in human resources post-college, working with children and adults was my forte. I have always loved learning about what makes a person tick including their interests and personalities so guiding families for the last 19 years as a Camp Expert has been a natural transition and has become my passion.

Ultimate camp highlight

The highlights of each summer at my day camp were the overnights; sleeping under the stars on the tennis courts, swimming at dusk and cookouts for dinner and breakfast!

Why I love this job

It is an amazing feeling when a client calls me and tells me that the camp I helped them choose has changed their child’s life.  Whether they have come out of their shell having made fantastic friends, tried activities they would never have had the opportunity to do elsewhere or overcame a fear, it is a deeply heartwarming feeling when a client finds their home away from home.  There are many aspects of overnight camp that create a mystery magic for children but only if they are attending the right program.

Why I feel camp is a valuable experience

For families who are new to the sleepaway concept, I tell them there is something that happens when children are given the opportunity to be away from their parents for a period of time. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is but independence, advocating for themselves, living with others and managing emotions are all contributors.  Some of these things are harder to accomplish at home, but at camp there are built in daily lessons with lots of guidance from surrounding adults who believe in the same goals. My kids both said separately that their friends in college who did not attend overnight programs previously had a harder time adjusting, thus another benefit of getting away for a period of time each summer.  Guiding families to the right program is always my goal because happy children make for happy parents!