Be sure to take your time picking a Overnight Summer Camp. But start early! Prepare for camp involves more than just packing their trunk. You want to make sure that your child has all their emotional ducks in a row for this (maybe) first time away from home.
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 yur disscussions 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 storylines 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 importantly, 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 * Meet the camp director before camp begins.
* Arrange a play date with another camper before camp.
* continue to have sleepovers with family and friends.
* Do continue to have short separations, such as sleepovers with family and friends for good practice.
* Encourage verbalizing concerns, regardless of how silly. Many can be easily resolved.
* Do talk to an experienced camper about the program. He or she can tell you what you will really need to pack, what you can leave at home, and what kids really wear, and do at camp.
Some Don'ts: * Minimize change as camp comes close. Keep things as normal as possible, especially in the time close to the first day.
*Family vacation just prior to camp are not a great idea. Be home for a few days prior to camp. This provide the comfort of a normal routine.
*Never let your child think you are worried about their adjustment to the camp environment.
These are just a few ideas on sending your child to Summer Camp. Learn more and visit Summer Camp Advice
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 yur disscussions 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 storylines 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 importantly, 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 * Meet the camp director before camp begins.
* Arrange a play date with another camper before camp.
* continue to have sleepovers with family and friends.
* Do continue to have short separations, such as sleepovers with family and friends for good practice.
* Encourage verbalizing concerns, regardless of how silly. Many can be easily resolved.
* Do talk to an experienced camper about the program. He or she can tell you what you will really need to pack, what you can leave at home, and what kids really wear, and do at camp.
Some Don'ts: * Minimize change as camp comes close. Keep things as normal as possible, especially in the time close to the first day.
*Family vacation just prior to camp are not a great idea. Be home for a few days prior to camp. This provide the comfort of a normal routine.
*Never let your child think you are worried about their adjustment to the camp environment.
These are just a few ideas on sending your child to Summer Camp. Learn more and visit Summer Camp Advice
About the Author:
Swift Nature Camp a non-competitive, Minnesota Summer Camps that offers a traditional summer camp for Boy and Girls ages 6-15. Campers enjoy camp activities as they learn at this Animal Summer Camp.
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