There may be several months between the time that you select your and Overnight Summer Camp and send in your deposit and opening day. However, helping your child prepare for camp involves more than just packing their trunk. You want to make sure that your child is ready emotionally for this new adventure.
Preparing your child is a delicate balance. While you want to talk about this exciting new experience, you also don't want to overdo it. With too much discussion, your child may seem to loose a sense of reality, and her expectations and fantasies may never be met, leading to disappointment. It's also possible that she could focus on her fears so much that they become overwhelming, leading her to focus only on how homesick she may be. Therefore, if there are several months before the beginning of camp, you may want to drop the subject until at least March or April. You will probably begin to receive pre-season information from the camp, and you can share these with your child in your discussions.
Talking about Summer Camp: Children have incredible radar, and can easily feel your concerns and fears. Carefully select the words you use when talking about camp. Be sure to visit your local library to pick up books and movies about summer camp. Sure, many of these have exaggerated storylines they can produce good conversation. Watch or read them together.
Be sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your child sends. Drop the book or movie if you child seem put off. Make sure that you never use camp as a threat or in a angry tone. Joke about how long till they leave can make a lasting impression Words can linger longer than you think! Help your child believe that overnight summer camp is a fun experience and that is why you have chosen it.
Some Dos: * Do try to have your child meet the camp director before camp begins.
* Only talk in a positive way, they need to know you trust camp to be a safe, exciting place.
* Do try and arrange a play date with a fellow camper before camp. If this is not possible, try and establish a link through mail, e-mail, or phone.
* Do continue to have short separations, such as sleepovers with family and friends for good practice.
* Do allow your child to verbalize her concerns, even if they sound silly. You may learn about worries that you can easily resolve.
* Talk to an fellow camper about the program. He or she can tell you what you will really need to know and what kids really wear, and do at camp.
Some Don'ts: * Don't introduce anything else new in your child's life. Try to keep everything as normal as possible, especially in the time close to the opening day.
*Squeeze in a family vacation just before camp starts is never a good idea. Plan to be at home for a few days before your lid leaves to go to camp. This provide the comfort of a usual routine.
*Don't let your child suspect you have concerns about their adjustment to being away from home.
These are just a few ideas that can help you as you send your child to Summer Camp for the first time. To learn more be sure to visit Summer Camp Advice
Preparing your child is a delicate balance. While you want to talk about this exciting new experience, you also don't want to overdo it. With too much discussion, your child may seem to loose a sense of reality, and her expectations and fantasies may never be met, leading to disappointment. It's also possible that she could focus on her fears so much that they become overwhelming, leading her to focus only on how homesick she may be. Therefore, if there are several months before the beginning of camp, you may want to drop the subject until at least March or April. You will probably begin to receive pre-season information from the camp, and you can share these with your child in your discussions.
Talking about Summer Camp: Children have incredible radar, and can easily feel your concerns and fears. Carefully select the words you use when talking about camp. Be sure to visit your local library to pick up books and movies about summer camp. Sure, many of these have exaggerated storylines they can produce good conversation. Watch or read them together.
Be sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your child sends. Drop the book or movie if you child seem put off. Make sure that you never use camp as a threat or in a angry tone. Joke about how long till they leave can make a lasting impression Words can linger longer than you think! Help your child believe that overnight summer camp is a fun experience and that is why you have chosen it.
Some Dos: * Do try to have your child meet the camp director before camp begins.
* Only talk in a positive way, they need to know you trust camp to be a safe, exciting place.
* Do try and arrange a play date with a fellow camper before camp. If this is not possible, try and establish a link through mail, e-mail, or phone.
* Do continue to have short separations, such as sleepovers with family and friends for good practice.
* Do allow your child to verbalize her concerns, even if they sound silly. You may learn about worries that you can easily resolve.
* Talk to an fellow camper about the program. He or she can tell you what you will really need to know and what kids really wear, and do at camp.
Some Don'ts: * Don't introduce anything else new in your child's life. Try to keep everything as normal as possible, especially in the time close to the opening day.
*Squeeze in a family vacation just before camp starts is never a good idea. Plan to be at home for a few days before your lid leaves to go to camp. This provide the comfort of a usual routine.
*Don't let your child suspect you have concerns about their adjustment to being away from home.
These are just a few ideas that can help you as you send your child to Summer Camp for the first time. To learn more be sure to visit Summer Camp Advice
About the Author:
About the author: Jeff Lorenz is the director of Swift Nature Camp a non-competitive, Summer Camps In Wisconsin that offers a traditional summer camp for Boy and Girls ages 6-15. Campers enjoy camp activities as they learn at this Science Summer Camp.
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