four step plan: prepare your child for overnight summer camp

PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP

FOUR-STEP PLAN:

So this is the year your child will take the big step and

head off to summer sleepaway camp for the first time.

There’s a lot you can do to make the experience

easier for him.

No matter how excited he is at the prospect of endless days

and nights of:

Swimming

Sailing

Games

Campfires

After-dark giggling

It’s still a huge step from the comforting familiarity of home to

the great unknown of sleepaway camp.

Depending on your child’s personality, and whether or not anyone

they know will be going to camp with them …

… there may be some trepidation mixed in with the excitement of

living away from home for a whole summer.

GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVED

Your child will feel a lot more invested in the

summer camping experience if they are included

in the decision-making process and preparations.

Before you sign on the dotted line visit some camps

together. Talk about the ones each of you liked and

why…and the one ones you didn’t like and why.

If possible, try to visit when camp is in session. This allows

you to observe how the campers and staff interact.

It also gives your child a chance to chat with other

campers and find out if they’re enjoying their summer

and if they seem happy, involved and well-supervised.

It also gives your camper an opportunity to get a feel

for the surroundings and to help determine whether or

not there is a sense of “fitting in”.

PACK IT UP

A big part of building up to the excitement

of camp is getting everything ready; it’s like

packing for an exciting vacation.

Most camps provide a list of what to bring

and what not to bring.

So, using this as a guide, the two of you

can sit down together, come up with a

shopping list and then go on an afternoon

shopping spree.

Don't go crazy, though. If your youngster insists

on one trendy item, indulge the whim, but most

camp clothing should be inexpensive, durable

and comfortable.

CAMP TALES

If you were a summer camper yourself, tell some tales of your own

adventures at camp and let your child know if you were a little

nervous that very first summer.

Even though they’re eager to head off into the wilderness, there

still might be just a little apprehension.

Knowing that you overcame your own fear of

the unknown and had an awesome time can

help ease pre-camp jitters.

Books about camp can also be helpful.

Talk over any specific worries your future

camper may have and some strategies for

dealing with anything …

… from fear of the deep end of the pool to

concerns about making new friends and

fitting in.

Read stories about camp aloud to your child or

let them choose their own reading material …

… from a list of good kiddie lit about

summer camp adventures.

STAYING IN TOUCH

It’s a good idea to discuss ahead of time how you’ll stay in touch while your child’s at sleepaway camp.

Depending on the rules and facilities at camp, you may be able to use email or you may need to rely on good old-fashioned snail mail.

Sending your new camper off with some stationery and pre-addressed, stamped envelopes will make it easier to send home those treasured letters from camp.

Also, you may want to slip a letter from home right into his trunk as a surprise during unpacking.

And remember…once your child is in the swing of summer camp fun... you’ll most likely miss him or her more than they’ll be missing you.

If you're considering sending your child to an

overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to

learn about Camp Walt Whitman.

Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire,

Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing

environment in a beautiful mountain setting.

Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate

areas for boys and girls.

The kids have a blast, and make friendships that

can last a lifetime.

http://www.campwalt.com

Camp Walt Whitman

1000 Cape Moonshine Rd

Piermont, NH 03779

603-764-5521

cww@campwalt.com