Title: Four Step Plan: Prepare Your Child For Overnight Summer Camp
1(No Transcript)
2PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP
FOUR-STEP PLAN
3So this is the year your child will take the big
step and head off to summer sleepaway camp for
the first time.
4Theres a lot you can do to make the experience
easier for him.
5No matter how excited he is at the prospect of
endless days and nights of
Campfires
Swimming
After-dark giggling
Sailing
Games
Its still a huge step from the comforting
familiarity of home to the great unknown of
sleepaway camp.
6Depending on your childs personality, and
whether or not anyone they know will be going to
camp with them
7 there may be some trepidation mixed in with the
excitement of living away from home for a whole
summer.
8 9Your child will feel a lot more invested in the
summer camping experience if they are included in
the decision-making process and preparations.
10Before you sign on the dotted line visit some
camps together. Talk about the ones each of you
liked and whyand the one ones you didnt like
and why.
11If possible, try to visit when camp is in
session. This allows you to observe how the
campers and staff interact.
12It also gives your child a chance to chat with
other campers and find out if theyre enjoying
their summer and if they seem happy, involved and
well-supervised.
13It also gives your camper an opportunity to get a
feel for the surroundings and to help determine
whether or not there is a sense of fitting in.
14 15A big part of building up to the excitement of
camp is getting everything ready its like
packing for an exciting vacation.
16Most camps provide a list of what to bring and
what not to bring.
17So, using this as a guide, the two of you can sit
down together, come up with a shopping list and
then go on an afternoon shopping spree.
18Don't go crazy, though. If your youngster insists
on one trendy item, indulge the whim, but most
camp clothing should be inexpensive, durable and
comfortable.
19 20If you were a summer camper yourself, tell some
tales of your own adventures at camp and let your
child know if you were a little nervous that very
first summer.
21 Even though theyre eager to head off into the
wilderness, there still might be just a little
apprehension.
22- Knowing that you overcame your own fear of the
unknown and had an awesome time can help ease
pre-camp jitters.
23- Books about camp can also be helpful.
24- Talk over any specific worries your future camper
may have and some strategies for dealing with
anything
25- from fear of the deep end of the pool to
concerns about making new friends and fitting in.
26- Read stories about camp aloud to your child or
let them choose their own reading material
27- from a list of good kiddie lit about summer
camp adventures.
28 29- Its a good idea to discuss ahead of time how
youll stay in touch while your childs at
sleepaway camp.
30- Depending on the rules and facilities at camp,
you may be able to use email or you may need to
rely on good old-fashioned snail mail.
31- Sending your new camper off with some stationery
and pre-addressed, stamped envelopes will make it
easier to send home those treasured letters from
camp.
32- Also, you may want to slip a letter from home
right into his trunk as a surprise during
unpacking.
33And rememberonce your child is in the swing of
summer camp fun... youll most likely miss him or
her more than theyll be missing you.
34If you're considering sending your child to an
overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site
to learn about Camp Walt Whitman.
35Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire,
Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing
environment in a beautiful mountain setting.
36Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate
areas for boys and girls.
37The kids have a blast, and make friendships that
can last a lifetime.
38http//www.campwalt.com
39Camp Walt Whitman 1000 Cape Moonshine
Rd Piermont, NH 03779 603-764-5521 cww_at_campwalt.co
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