Sending your kids to camp for the first time? Here are some tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible!
- Choose camps based on your child’s interests.
You know what your children like, so sign them up for something they will enjoy, but don’t be afraid to throw something new into the mix. Even though it’s summer vacation, there is still plenty of learning to be had. - Get in the know.
Check out the organization’s website to get information about the programming and policies. Even if it’s just a general outline, this will give you and your child an idea of what his or her day will look like. If you’re unsure about any of the activities, check out the registration options. Many camps have half day options so you can choose which activities you want to focus on. - Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the camp to get answers. - Complete your registration as soon as you can.
Sometimes camps have limited capacity and the earlier you get in your registration, the more likely you are to secure a spot. It’s 2018, so most camp registrations are online and easy as pie to complete.
Now that you’re a camp expert and you have completed your registrations, what’s next?
- Get your camper excited about the first day of camp.
The goal of camp is to have fun! So make sure that you come to camp ready for fun new experiences. Talk about it at the dinner table and discuss what your child is excited (and maybe nervous) about. If your child is nervous (and you might be too!), give the camp a call or send an e-mail. Camp staff are always happy to help! - Know what you need to bring to camp and prepare the weekend before.
Most camps list what you need to bring on their website. For the most part (and depending on the activity), day camps tend to spend a lot of time outdoors, so be sure to dress your child according to the weather (don’t forget the sunscreen!). Be sure to pack plenty of healthy nut free snacks and water in your camper’s lunch. Most camps don’t have refrigeration, so if there’s anything in your camper’s lunch that needs to stay cool, ice packs tend to come in quite handy. - Introduce yourself to the camp staff on the first day of camp.
If you have any concerns about your child that you think the staff should know, be sure to share it with them at this time. The first day of camp is like the first day of school. Everyone is meeting each other for the first time, and it might take a little bit longer to start up the activities on the first day so be patient as everyone gets to know each other. - Make summer camp part of the routine.
We don’t need to quote a bunch of studies to prove that having a routine is beneficial to just about everyone on this planet. Falling out of routine is easy to do over the summer vacation (that’s what vacation is for after all!), but being out of routine for the summer can make it tough to adjust back into the school routine in the Fall. Just like during the school year, set your alarm for the same time every day so you can arrive to camp at or around the same time. - If you have any questions about camp, talk to the camp staff.
The onsite supervisor is the one in charge of the camp and should be able to address any questions about camp that you might have. If not, contact the head office. - Have fun…It’s summer camp!
We think this one is self-explanatory!