Hints to Get Ready For Summer Camp
- By Jeff Lorenz
- Published 02/9/2010
- Parenting
- Unrated
So you have selected the Best Overnight Summer Camp for your child. You did all the research and had your child help in the selection. Yet, preparing for camp involves more than just packing their clothes in a suitcase. You want to be sure that your kid is emotionally prepared for this Summer Camp Adventure.
Getting your child ready for camp requires a delicate balance. Talking about this exciting new experience is great but, you also don't want to overdo it. Over discussing Summer Camp can cause, children to loose a sense of reality, lead to expectations and fantasies that can't be met, thus, leading to disappointment. It's also possible that these discussions continually highlight fears which, lead only to an increase of homesickness. Several months before the beginning of camp you may want to start your discussions but not much before April. As receive pre-camp information it's wise to share these with your child.
Camp Conversations: Choose your words wisely when you are talking about overnight summer camp. Children are very perceptive, and they feel your concerns and fears. You don't even have to make a negative comment and they know. Visit your library, rent a movie or pick up books about camp. Watch or read them together. Remember, most of the story lines are exaggerated, but they can be a good segway on how to handle situations at camp.
However, make sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your child sends. If they seem put off by the books or videos, then drop the subject. Most im
portantly, make sure that you never use camp as a threat or in anger. It's important that you never seem like you're counting the days until your child leaves for camp. The words can linger longer than you think, and it will confuse your child about what camp is supposed to be. Your child should believe that 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.
* continue to have sleepovers with family and friends.
* 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 a former camper about summer camp. They can tell you what camp is really like from a kids point of view.
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 his adjustment.
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 www.SummerCampAdvice.com
Getting your child ready for camp requires a delicate balance. Talking about this exciting new experience is great but, you also don't want to overdo it. Over discussing Summer Camp can cause, children to loose a sense of reality, lead to expectations and fantasies that can't be met, thus, leading to disappointment. It's also possible that these discussions continually highlight fears which, lead only to an increase of homesickness. Several months before the beginning of camp you may want to start your discussions but not much before April. As receive pre-camp information it's wise to share these with your child.
Camp Conversations: Choose your words wisely when you are talking about overnight summer camp. Children are very perceptive, and they feel your concerns and fears. You don't even have to make a negative comment and they know. Visit your library, rent a movie or pick up books about camp. Watch or read them together. Remember, most of the story lines are exaggerated, but they can be a good segway on how to handle situations at camp.
However, make sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your child sends. If they seem put off by the books or videos, then drop the subject. Most im
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.
* continue to have sleepovers with family and friends.
* 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 a former camper about summer camp. They can tell you what camp is really like from a kids point of view.
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 his adjustment.
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 www.SummerCampAdvice.com
Jeff Lorenz
Swift Nature Camp is a non-competitive, Summer Camp in Wisconsin that offers a traditional Coed Summer Camp for Boy and Girls ages 6-15. Campers enjoy camp activities as they learn at this Science Summer Camp. www.swiftnaturecamp.com
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