Transcript of our interview with Amy, Pleasant Bay Adventure Camp: Parent Interview with Amy Dulmage

What is unique about TAC Sports?

Our camp is unique because we focus on the full development pathway for kids. We're focusing on self-development and exposing the children to a lot of different skills, a lot of different options and activities that they can get really in-depth, increase their self-confidence, their self-image, and then take that learning across three, four, five, six years across the full developmental pathway.

What type of child is successful at TAC Sports?

It’s really a camp for everyone. And we pride ourselves on having everybody, especially ages three and a half, four, six, all the way up to ages 12 and 13. And then we have our Leadership in Training for children up to the age of 16. So really, everyone from every different background, skill level, and experience can go to TAC—we cater to everyone.

Is the schedule structured or is it more open?

Our traditional multisport and multi-activity camps, adventure camp and our two-year-old activity are all structured in the sense that we have the whole day planned out, so we have the number of hours of training and we have what we want to execute in terms of our game plans for the day. But we also have our fun time scheduled out, our group time scheduled out where the kids can really get to know each other and develop those friendships over camp. And so we do have a great schedule, but we do allow for creativity within that schedule as well.

How do your staff deal with behavioural issues?

For behavioural issues, we like to look at it from a broad and modern perspective. We really look at the child themselves, how they're feeling, their confidence levels, and we really like to apply to their self image and their reasons for misbehaving rather than just the traditional method where we punish and take them aside and chastise them. We really don't emphasize that. We emphasize connecting with the children and understanding them because we're part of their development. We really want them to succeed.

So we look at different ways that we can address a scenario from a whole different range of perspectives, from a point of understanding and from a point of leadership and for setting positive expectations for them.

What do campers value most about their experience at TAC Sports?

I think campers value that sense of belonging in that we're here for them and that they're respected. They're respected as if they're full adults from the get-go. They're treated with a lot of positivity. It's a great safe environment for them to come and build skills, and they really thrive in that environment and they make great friends. We've had some campers making friends for life in every single week of our camps and programs.

So it's really just a fun, confidence-building environment. And I think that's what kids truly love about our camp.

What message do you have for new campers?

I would say get ready to learn and just have a ton of fun. We have our adventure camp for our ages four to six, and then once you hit ages seven to twelve, you can choose any activity you want. We have technologies, we have swimming: so we have the full range for you. So just get ready to learn, get ready to have fun, and make new friends for life.