Summer Camp: Preparation Helps
 Ensure Positive Experience

by Denise Yearian

Last summer my kids did something they had never done before. They went to camp … sleep-away camp. You know, the kind with cabins, canteens and lots of bugs and dirt.

I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive about shipping all three of them off at once. I mean, what if they get homesick? What if I get "kid sick?" Nonetheless, they were begging — no, pleading — to go, so we packed their bags and off they went … for seven whole days. Did they get homesick? No. In fact, they were having so much fun they didn't want to come home.

"Summer camp, especially sleep-away camp, is often a wonderful, growth-filled, learning experience," says Doron Krakow, national director of Young Judaea Camp.

Parents, however, often underestimate the benefits of camp and of what it will do for their child. "Some parents may think their money is better spent elsewhere than on camp fees, particularly if they themselves were not at camp as a youngster," Krakow says.

A camp experience will provide your child with invaluable life lessons, such as how to be responsible, solve problems and get along with others.

Find a camp

How do you find the right camp? First, talk it over with your child. What are his interests? Finding a camp with activities your child will enjoy is important. At the same time, encourage him to try new things.

"Just because (your child) is a soccer junkie doesn’t mean he might not like, or be good at, arts and crafts," Krakow says. "Camp is a great place to try something different, because everyone is having new experiences."

Once your child has decided upon the type of camp he wants, explore the options. Find out about the various programs each one offers and ask plenty of questions. According to Krakow, most parents find out whether there’s quality instruction and enough time for their child to participate in the said activity and stop there. But, he says, parents should take a look at the big picture.

Probe to learn about other segments of the program. What concepts or philosophy does the camp espouse? What type of child does it attract? What will my child do through the course of a typical day? If the camp has a brochure, read it carefully. This way you can match your agenda with that of the camp’s and provide the experience you want for your child.

Camp readiness

Not sure if your child is developmentally ready for camp? Have a trial run. Send him to visit a relative for the weekend. How did he do away from home? Did he sleep well? Was he able to care for himself (brush his teeth, take a bath, change his clothes)? Did he adjust to new or different foods? These and other questions will help you decide if your child is ready for camp.

Even if your child did well on a trial run, spend a few minutes talking with the camp director. Tell him about your child: how he interacts with other children, his level of participation in school, etc.

Above all, don’t let your apprehensions keep you from sending your child to camp. "If you keep him home because of your anxiety about separation, you’re short-changing him," Krakow says. "If your youngster is asking to go away to camp, chances are he is ready."

First day

On the first day of camp, help your child get settled, then leave. "Don’t stick around too long," Krakow says. "If you drive your child to camp, he may cling to you on the way up. Remember, this is something new, and it’s natural, even for a veteran camper, to be a little hesitant." Once there, however, many kids will shift from clingy to embarrassed in front of their friends, and parents are often slow to pick up on this.

Letter writing

Before you send your child to camp, mail him a letter. This way, he’ll have something to open when the mail arrives on the first day. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A note saying you’re thinking of him and hoping he’s having a good time will do. If you do not have time to write every day, try to write as often as you can.

When my kids went to camp, I sent them notes every other day and included jokes and riddles. Their father, who is a great cartoonist, drew pictures with captions for them.

Although I was faithful at letter writing, my kids weren’t. All week long I waited for something — anything — but received nothing.

"If your child is a poor correspondent, don’t take it personally," Krakow says. "Camp is a full-time job for kids. Some may be inclined to share it all with their parents, while others will get so caught up in the moment that promises to write are forgotten."

A good rule of thumb: No news is good news. In other words, if you don’t hear from your child, it probably means he’s having a great time and enjoying his newfound freedom.

Care packages

Whether your child goes to camp for a week or all summer, send a care package. Chances are, the other kids will get one and you don’t want your child to feel left out. The package doesn’t have to be extravagant, just something to let him know you’re thinking of him. Items could include a yo-yo, his favorite magazine, and a pack of gum, candy or some other goodie. Just be sure that if you’re sending food items, you know what the rules are about food in cabins. Camps often don’t allow food in the cabins because they can attract bugs, raccoons and other outdoor creatures.

Clothing

When preparing to send your child to camp, avoid purchasing new clothes unless he really needs them. They are likely to get soiled, stained or mildewed before they get home — if they get home. Economically speaking, you’re better off rounding up old clothes and shoes (towels and wash clothes, too) and saving the new items for after camp.

Stress-free schedule

Several weeks before your child attends camp, keep his schedule open and stress-free. This will allow him plenty of time to relax and prepare for the big event. If, for example, your family comes back from a vacation on a Friday and you scoot your child off to camp on a Sunday, he may experience some anxiety and tension. A better idea is to plan major summer events with a break in between.

Last day

On the last day of camp, arrive on time and come prepared with a few extra plastic bags. You may need them, especially if your child has wet clothes or muddy shoes that need to be transported.

On the ride home, listen to your child. More than likely, he’ll be eager to share his experiences with you: who he met, what he did and the funny things that happened. If you look real close, you may find he’s grown a little; not just in height, but in depth of character. Camp has a way of helping kids grow by boosting their self-esteem, increasing their sense of responsibility and helping them mature in their relationships with others.

Who knows? Your child may even greet you with the same words mine did, "Hey, Mom! Camp was so much fun. Can I go again next year?"