Instead of attending or counseling at a camp this summer, sophomore Julia Reichelstein will stay busy by opening her own innovative summer camp for kids.

Reichelstein decided to start her own camp when she considered getting a summer job. She first thought about working in retail this summer, but then found a good reason to start her own camp instead. “I love kids and I have been baby-sitting a lot,” Reichelstein said. “That way I already have some clients.”

The camp will mostly take place in Reichelstein’s backyard and occasionally in her house, but she is also planning on taking children to parks around the Stanford campus where they can explore their community. Kids ages four to eight years old are eligible for the camp. Camp activities will involve running around and cooking. “I just want them to have a good time,” Reichelstein said. “I think not many camps offer cooking, that should be fun.”

Once the kids get tired from playing, they can try to make their first cookies. There might also be an outdoor sleepover on the last night of the camp. “But having kids so young at the camp, most would be way too scared to spend the night not only away from a parent but outside in a tent,” Reichelstein said.

Some organizational details about the camp still depend on the final number of applicants, which will determine the group sizes and number of sessions. Reichelstein has a lot of work on her shoulders while preparing for the camp such as handing out flyers, talking to interested clients, hosting the camp fair and planning the activities. At the moment the price is set to be approximately $225 per session, with each session lasting a week.

Reichelstein’s goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere where every attendant has lots of fun. “Ideally the camp would be a small, fun, family-style camp for kids to get to know each other, and have a great time playing outside and around their community,” Reichelstein said. She is looking forward to spending time with the kids and making the most of her working experience during the summer.