Crescent Camps: Parent Interview with Dunia El-Jawhari

Watch our Parent interview with Dunia El-Jawhari to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at Crescent Camps.

Transcript of the interview

What's unique about the program at Crescent Camps that made you want to enroll your children there?

I did a little bit of research, and I liked what I read in the description of Crescent Camps' programs. I like the grounds, and I like the people that we dealt with. They were very responsive, and it's close by. 

The number of kids that they have in each program seemed very reasonable, especially given that [COVID] restrictions had just been lifted. We were eager to try it because we had registered in 2020 before the world shut down and everything was canceled. So then we tried again this past summer, and it was great. 

How was your children's experience with Crescent Camps?

They loved it! They're not overly generous with their compliments of camps generally, but even from the first week, they loved it! And they said, “We're coming back next year!” So, that's how I gauge whether I go back or not, because it's their vacation, too, right? So I need to make sure that camp is something they’re looking forward to and really enjoy. And both of the kids each did three weeks, and both of them said, “Love it, love it! We're going back.” 

Were there any changes or noticeable personal growth you saw in your children after their time at Crescent Camps?

The kids have pretty good confidence and are fairly independent for their age. But they were very engaged. They were happy to go to Crescent Camps every morning, which is wonderful for a parent to see. You drop them off and you know they're happy to be there. 

They really liked the counselors. That's one thing they're going to complain about [if it’s a problem], but they really, really like the counselors this year. 

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of Crescent Camps?

First of all, before I choose the activity every week—if there's a different theme or whatever—make sure that the kids are happy with it or it's something they're interested in. If they don't want to do robotics, I'm not going to put them in that, for example. 

Try to pick a week that will be of interest to your child is the first thing. To the extent that you can, describe what they're going to do. And if the kids feel nervous, I just always say, “Give it a chance. If you don't like it, we'll figure out why. We'll speak with the counselors and try to fix it.” 

Just draw out from them what they like, if they had a good day, and why they want to go back. 

If they're feeling nervous, I'd say, “Call me if you need to.” Then they know that they have that recourse. They don't feel like they're stuck. 

They never felt stuck at Crescent. But if they're spending the day somewhere, nervous they might not like it, I’ll say to them,”Well, tell them that you would like to speak with me,” and we'll go from there. Kind of leave it open ended. You don't want to coddle them too much, but you don't want them to feel like you don't care about their concerns. 

What would you tell any prospective parents about Crescent Camps?

The counselors at Crescent Camps seem to me to be really hands-on. With drop-off, you drive right up, and they're there to greet your kids. They introduce themselves if it's the beginning of the week. And the grounds are fantastic. The hours are reasonable. I think it was from nine to three or 3:30. Very, very easy to get to, lots of parking. 

Crescent Camps is responsive. When I had questions about registration or other questions via email, they're very responsive, and friendly. I'm so excited that my kids loved it enough to say, we're going back, we're going back. 

Typically at [age] 12, maybe some kids start to feel like they don't need camp, but my 12 year old was all over it. So I really would highly recommend it to anyone who's considering it. 

Final thoughts on Crescent Camps?

I didn't ask my kids this question directly, but I would say if I asked them to rate Crescent Camp from one to ten, they would give it a 10. Again, I was really happy with it.

For me, my only interaction was with the counselors. And my two ways to gauge the camp were my own interaction with counselors and then my kids' experience. Based on those two things, I would definitely go back this coming summer, and I would definitely recommend it. And I love, too, that it was coed as well, even though Crescent is a boys’ school.