Preparing for First Overnight Camp

Sending a child to their first overnight camp is a big step. It is a seperation process—not just something that happens one gorgeous sunny summer day. While much energy will be focused on your camper and this great growth experience, it is important to also remember that you must prepare for the separation as well.

Today Brenda Hyde, Publisher of FAMILY Magazine was on WUSA9 News Now with Peggy Fox discussing ideas on how to prepare for that first overnight camp experience.

Here are some tips on making this a positive experience:

----TIPS FOR CAMPERS

Prepare In Advance – try out sleeping at Grandma’s house
If your child has never slept away from home, try sending him or her to stay with a grandparent or friend for a night or two. Following this “overnight,” reward your child for his efforts and relate the experience to the upcoming summer.

Learn Daily Living Skills in Advance
Daily living skills are an important element of any quality overnight camp program. An 8-year-old child should be able to brush her teeth and hair, and make her own bed - maybe not perfectly, but good enough for camp.

Develop Bedtime Routines
Bedtime routines are important to a good night’s sleep and can be adapted for camp. If your child sings a song at bedtime with a parent or sibling, help them sing it alone or with a stuffed animal. This will help them adjust to a night at camp without you. These routines are important to children as they provide a level of stability that can be comforting when away from home.

----TIPS FOR PARENTS

Prepare for Departure Day
Keep positive and don’t show any of your own anxiety to your child. Be overwhelmingly positive. Remember to tell your child that it was one of the most glorious times of your life and how much fun you had at camp. Provide your child with a sense of encouragement and stability needed – not a horror story of spider, ghosts and crying yourself to sleep!

Don’t Brag About Your Newfound Freedom
For parents with children out of the house, this newfound independence can be intoxicating for some and depressing for others. Don’t paint a picture of heaven with your child at camp or talk about all the exciting plans you have while they are away. If you plan on taking a vacation, be cognizant of the effect on your child.

Write to Your Camper
Be careful what you write. Letters from parents that reinforce how miserable they are without their child can be difficult for a child to deal with. While it is important that they know you love them – hearing how miserable you are (or are not!) without them can be a tough message to receive. And finally, encourage siblings and grandparents to write as well—children love receiving mail at camp!

So – the bottom line is to recognize there is a process to the summer separation. Going off to an overnight camp can be a remarkable growing experience. If you prepare your son or daughter to the best of your abilities, you can relax and take comfort in having made a good decision even better.




TIPS FOR CAMPERS

Prepare In Advance – try out sleeping at Grandma’s house
Learn Daily Living Skills in Advance
Develop Bedtime Routines
TIPS FOR PARENTS

Prepare for Departure Day
Don’t Brag About Your Newfound Freedom
Write to Your Camper