Getting Ready For Summer Camp
While email and high-tech camping gear have changed a few aspects of the camp experience, preparing kids for camp and summer programs still requires some basic provisions.
“Camps are an important way to keep your kids physically active and fit. They help improve athletic skills and often stimulate interest in new activities,” says Ari Brown, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, who explains that the first step in preparing your child for camp is to get a checkup. “Take those camp physical forms seriously. Your child needs a physical examination before participating, particularly if it is a sports camp,” Brown says. “New experiences and environments can be overwhelming. Kids will be best prepared for camp if they are involved in choosing one. If they help do the research and make the decision, they will ultimately be happier with their choice.”
Parents can help prepare their child only if they are prepared themselves. “Check to see if the camp has implemented enough safety guidelines, especially if water activities are involved,” says Brown, who encourages parents to check camp accreditation. “Make sure the camp is prepared to handle medical emergencies. Ask if there is a nurse or doctor on site at all times, and where campers are sent for medical care if something more serious happens.” Brown recommends talking to camp administrators about any concerns you may have. Being confident about the camp your child attends will ease the anxiety and help prepare you both for a confident goodbye. Take time to prepare your child for camp in these ways, too:
Build endurance. “Parents can start by getting their kids in shape physically,” Brown says. Hiking, swimming and team games can be exhausting to a child who is used to sitting at a school desk or in front of the television for several hours a day.
Encourage kids to play outside. Take regular walks, bike rides and hikes several weeks before camp starts to get your child ready for its physical demands. Get them acclimated to the hot weather and bugs before sending them away for a week in the woods.
Talk about expectations. Conversations about camp routines, events and even feelings are essential before camp begins. “Be enthusiastic about what to expect at camp but also be realistic. Tell them that they might prefer to be at home some days, but that it will be a fun time overall,” Brown says. Discuss different situations with your child, such as rain, boredom, homesickness and hunger. Prepare by packing extra snacks, fun pads, family photos and stamped postcards as a backup for these worst-case scenarios.
Find a buddy. “Especially for the first time at overnight camp, kids do better when they know at least one cabin-mate,” Brown says. Attending camp with a buddy helps ease the stress of the experience. If your child does not have a friend attending, ask the camp for names of other registered campers in your child’s session who live nearby. Arranging a lunch meeting or phone call before camp can help both parties break the ice. As a last resort, have your child connect with one of the camp counselors by email or phone before the session starts.
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Sharon Miller Cindrich is a freelance writer.
