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Camp-A-Palooza:
Selecting the Right Camp Can Make Your Child’s Experience a Party
By Kendra Ericson, MPW
It all started with what seems to be every little girl’s dream: I wanted a horse. If I couldn’t have a horse, however, I would have settled for riding a horse or simply looking at a horse – anything that would get me close to a horse. I was ten, and my dream inspired my parents to hatch a diabolical plan: they were sending me to horseback riding camp.
The summer my parents presented me with the news, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to get to camp, and I couldn’t wait to ride. But somewhere along the switchback mountain roads on the way to the camp where I would spend a week, I lost my nerve. It was the first time I had truly been away from home, and I was totally unprepared.
I’d like to say that as soon as I stepped into the camp my attitude changed, but this simply wasn’t the case. The first few days at camp were terrible. I was surrounded by kids who had altitude sickness, I missed my mom, and I discovered that the majority of the time I would spend with the horses consisted of learning to properly groom them and shoveling the corral – this was not the party I had imagined!
By the third day of camp, though, things began to change. That morning I awoke to see a deer and fawn close to where I slept, and later that day I received a care package from my mother that contained lip balm, “mountain food” (which was really just nuts and granola), and a note full of reassuring words. Things were looking up.
The remainder of the days passed quickly, and by the time my parents arrived to pick me up, I wasn’t ready to go. On the way home, I tortured them with my repeated recital of “Peanut…peanut butter...jelly,” my initial fears and misery a distant memory. Sometime during my stay I had made friends, connected to my assigned horse, experienced nature in a new way, and even learned a little responsibility.
I know that my camp experience mimics that of many others, and I have to wonder why the beginnings of such experiences seem fraught with fear and misery. The benefits of both day and resident camps seem almost endless; through camp activities, children learn to be confident, independent, and responsible. In addition, the American Psychiatric Association claims that “Parents often note that their children come home seeming older or more mature than before they left” (healthyminds.org). So what is all the fear about? In my case, I was simply unprepared for the reality of being away from home for so long.
Whatever your child’s situation may be, there are several things you can do can do to ensure that he or she has the best camp experience possible.
- Determine if your child is really ready for camp.
Research indicates that many younger children have difficulty adjusting to being away from home. Ask yourself if your child has had successful sleepovers away from home in the past. If the answer is no, it may be beneficial to select a day camp to ease your child into the process.
Try to share positive messages about camp during the months preceding summer. Your enthusiasm will likely rub off on your child.
- Choose the right camp for your child.
Try to select a camp that nurtures your child’s individual interests. For example, if he or she enjoys art, music, or a particular sport, try to pick a camp that emphasizes that activity. It’s also beneficial to involve your child in this process. Look over videos, brochures, and websites together. To find a day or residential camp in your area, check out the AmeriKidz “ Camp Connection”.
Most residential and day camps will provide you with a detailed list of what to bring. In addition, be sure to plan ahead so your child will have time to properly break in his or her shoes or boots before the first day of camp, and if your child is going to a residential camp, be sure to label everything with laundry pens or iron-on labels. For a detailed list of what to pack for residential camps, check out the American Camp Association’s website at www.campparents.org/travellight.php.
If you’ve selected a day camp or a residential camp within driving distance, consider visiting the camp with your child before summer arrives. Taking the time to do a trial run will help him or her become familiar with the surroundings and will often ease some of the anxiety children experience when beginning new schools, camps, etc.
Don’t worry too much about homesickness, which is a child’s natural reaction to being away from friends and family. You can help to curb homesickness by staying positive, “I’ll miss you, but you’re going to have fun!” and by sending a care package ahead of time to arrive on the first day of camp. See www.campparents.org/homesickness.php for a great article on homesickness.
Planning ahead and making smart choices can truly help to make your child’s camp experience a party. Before you know it, your child will be in the saddle and charging full steam ahead!
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