Getting ready for summer camp
Sending your child away to camp for the first time is a major milestone for most families, one that’s marked by excitement, anticipation – and perhaps even some anxiety. Though camp is certainly about making friends and having fun, it’s also about being on your own and being a part of a community.
One of the most important things you as a parent can do to help prepare your child for both these aspects of camp is to talk with your child about it before he goes. In fact it may be better to have several shorter talks spread out over time rather than one long conversation, as children often absorb more when there’s less to think about at one time. Focus on topics that will help prepare your child emotionally for their big adventure…
Friends
Camp isn’t anything if it isn’t about making new friends! If your child is shy about meeting new kids, then remind him that he can learn to get to know others by being a good listener. Reassure him too that not everyone in his cabin, bunk or group has to be his friend and he doesn’t have to be everyone else’s friend. As long as he treats others with respect and they do the same with him, then having one or two friends at camp is fine. If he has more, then that’s great!
Activities
Get your child feeling positive about camp by talking about all the exciting things he’ll get to do there – many of which he might not have ever done before. If your child tends to get homesick if he spends any time away from you or is worrying about being homesick, keep reminding him about the fun aspect!
Co-operating
Like every other camper your child will be part of a cabin, bunk or group. Make sure he knows he’s expected to co-operate with others and help out. That’s part of what makes camp so special – kids helping each other out. Most kids will help him if he’s friendly and helps them.
Taking time to adjust
One thing about camp is that almost everything is new – the kids, the activities, the routines, the bed your child will sleep in, the bathroom. It takes a few days to get adjusted, so encourage him to be patient with himself. Emphasize that most of the time he’ll be having so much fun he won’t mind all the changes, but tell him that if he does he’ll get so used to things that by the time he comes home he’ll miss all those things!
Asking for help
Everyone has good days and bad days so remind your child that his counselor is there to help him – and if his counselor doesn’t know what might be troubling him, she can’t help him. Tell him to be honest and ask for what he needs. If his counselor doesn’t seem to be concerned or doesn’t help him, then he needs to go to the unit director or head counselor. Find out who these ‘back-up persons’ are and how your child will recognize them if they need to.
Being positive
It’s a great thing to remind your first-time camper about his strong points. Focus not just on what he does well, but his positive qualities as well, such as what makes him a good friend or the type of person other kids would want to know. Helping children identify their strengths can help them when they’re having a setback – one of those inevitable growing pains all children have from time to time.
Talking with your child about these kinds of issues is a great way to show support as your child gets ready to take this important step on the road to being more resilient and self-reliant. For you as a parent, it can give you more peace of mind as you allow your child to participate safely in a broader world.
Originally printed in CAMP Magazine, reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association; ©2006 American Camping Association, Inc.