Talk about Plans
Communicate openly and thoroughly about the entire summer camp experience with your child. Kids often have important questions about being away from their home and parents. Sit together and open the door for a candid conversation. If a youngster shows insecurities, listen carefully and provide reassurance to help resolve these anxious feelings.
Adjust Expectations
When embarking on a new experience, both you and your child may have unrealistic expectations. Review websites and read through all paperwork to learn about the facility. Some camps may even offer open houses to allow visitors a chance to tour a facility. Outline as much of the experience as you can for your youngster in preparation for the excursion. For example, find out detailed information about the layout of the grounds, sleeping quarters, bathrooms, meals, other campers, activities, bedtimes, animals and bugs in the area, and the level of "roughing it" that your child will experience. To prepare your youngster for sleeping and cohabitating with other kids, talk about the importance of staying organized, keeping personal items together, cleaning up, and staying quiet indoors.
Pack Together
Once you have a packing list, work together by shopping for supplies. Involving your youngster in the preparation helps your child feel like an important part of the team. It also makes sure that your child knows what items you packed, which can help after arriving at summer camp. It's fine to pack a special or sentimental item if desired.
Teach Basic Self-Sufficiency
When away from your care, your youngster will need to be able to perform self-care skills such as showering and managing clothing. Dirty clothing will need to be separate from clean clothes, and the toothbrush will need to be kept clean, for example. Prepare for this level of independence by teaching these skills and encouraging practice before it's time to leave for summer camp.
Plan for Communication
These facilities generally have a plan in place to enable parents and campers to communicate while apart. Explore the guidelines for this communication, and share these details with your youngster. You might plan on having periodic phone calls or text messages. Other options include letters or emails if allowed. Some facilities only make family communication available in emergencies. Whatever the policies, learn them and share them with your child to avoid disappointment.
Kids may often feel more comfortable about the entire process because of careful preparation before the event. By answering questions and eliminating the unknowns, kids can feel more confident and positive about their planned adventure. Even if something unexpected or negative happens, you can talk about it and plan for the next time with a positive approach.
When considering a summer camp, Hillsborough, NJ residents visit HRC Fitness. Learn more at http://www.hrcfitness.com/KidsTeens/summer-camp.
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