One Happy Camper
Help your child have a fabulous summer camp experience with these tips.
First Time Camper? No Worries
Head off homesickness by focusing on all the positives at camp. Assure kids it’s normal to miss home, but they’ll be so busy they’ll forget to do it.
“Missing home is completely normal,” says Lori Waldman, the co-Owner/Director at Camp Blue Ridge. “In fact, it’s a good thing — it shows they have a loving home to miss! Parents should remind kids sleepaway camp is life-changing, because they learn to spread their wings a little and realize they can separate for a bit, take care of themselves, learn how to problem solve, and find their voice when they need something.”
Set for Success
Make sure your child can do things on her own, such as taking care of personal hygiene and getting dressed without help. Get your child used to not being in her own bed with sleepovers.
“To prepare your child for summer camp, practice at home,” says Alyson Gondek, Camp Owner of Camp Woodmont. “You can set up a pretend tent on the back porch or in the living room and have a campout. It helps your child gain confidence and a bit of practice. See if they can sleep through the night, and make sure they have what they need — flashlight, book, pillows, sleeping bag, stuffy.”
Handle Your Emotions
You might be more nervous than your child about this new experience, but don’t share those concerns with him.
“Our children intuitively pick up on our anxiety and uncertainty about situations,” says C. Russell Davis, the Executive Director at Glisson Camp & Retreat Center. “If we’re feeling nervous or concerned about sending our kids to camp, they’re more likely to have anxiety about the camp experience as well. Learn as much as you can about the summer camp you’re considering. You’ll find you’ve lowered your anxiety level and your camper’s at the same time, and you’ll both enjoy their time at camp much more.”
A Typical Day at Camp
“Have a clear understanding of what activities are happening at the camp, and communicate that to your child,” says Logan Rosenberg, the Youth Programs Director at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. “A camper shouldn’t find out the camp session is all about backpacking on the first day.”
Every day is full of surprises and discoveries, but most camps follow a general schedule, so campers and parents know what the day will look like.
- Typically, kids have breakfast around 7 a.m., lunch around noon and supper around 6 p.m.
- During the day, kids at an outdoor camp can choose from a variety of activities — swimming, hiking, canoeing, zip lining, sports and more — or pursue interests such as archery, musical instruments, drawing/art and drama.
- Some camps have a brief afternoon rest time or free time.
- After supper, many camps have singing, storytelling or sharing around a campfire; campers and counselors might perform a skit or entertain with music.
Technically Speaking
Camps have a love-hate relationship with technology. To help campers get in touch with nature, most ban or limit electronics. Not being able to contact your child may be a change for you.
“As parents, we want to be present for our kids — either physically or virtually — all the time, but especially as they go through new challenges. But one new experience we can’t be present for is our kids being fully away from us for the first time,” Davis says. “It’s an important part of growing up, and camp is a supportive environment in which campers can begin to find their independence and understand who they are outside of their family system. Let them go knowing that you are giving them a gift of independence that will help them grow into healthy adults.”
Camps use technology to help parents stay in touch. Many post photos and updates daily for parents to see, and parents can communicate by phone or email with the camp if necessary.
Pack the Right Gear
Camp websites offer a packing list for parents and kids, with the essentials they’ll need.
“Don’t pack nice and new clothes or shoes,” Rosenberg says. “Things get messy at camp. Wearable sun protection, like long sleeve swim shirts and hats, is better than things that kids have to apply.”
It’s easy for kids to lose a sock or a T-shirt at camp, but an iron-on label with your child’s name or a quick session with a Sharpie, makes misplacing clothing much harder.
Who Needs Cash?
If your child forgets something — a flashlight, a toothbrush — or wants a snack, camps usually have a commissary with those necessities. Parents put a small amount of spending money in the commissary account, and it’s a learning experience for the kids to budget for their needs.
Five Important Questions
- Is the camp accredited, and how are the staff screened and chosen?
- What is the staff-to-camper ratio? (Ideally, 1:6 for ages 7-8, 1:8 for ages 9-14, 1:10 for ages 15-18.)
- How are discipline problems handled?
- What percentage of campers are return campers?
- How is homesickness handled, and how do parents stay in touch with their kids?
Letters from Home
Mail call is important, especially for first-time campers. Parents can send letters, and most camps allow care packages. When sending a package, be sure you know what you’re allowed to send. If food is allowed, include enough for your child’s cabinmates. If not, send a game that several kids can play and fun trinkets your child can share.
“If you get a letter at summer camp, we make a huge deal of it,” Gondek says. “It gets kids excited. It’s a lost art, so we encourage parents to mail something to their kids. If something happens, we’re going to call you — no news is good news.”