Preparing Your Child For Camp
As the school year comes to an end, millions of children will go camping this summer for the first time. There are some 12,000 camps in the United States that are preparing to give children the experience of a lifetime B and parents should be doing the same. Preparation is the key to a successful camp this summer. Not only does a child need to be prepared, parents also need to prepare themselves.
Sending your child away to camp is a major milestone for most parentsCone that is often marked by excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even some anxiety.
In reality, it is usually the parents who suffer concern for having their child away from home. Most children come into the camp setting and immediately begin to develop a support network and the distance from home simply doesn't matter.
One of the most important things a parent can do to help prepare children for camp is to talk with them before they go.
To help families better prepare for a positive time as camp follow these suggestions:
1. Prepare for camp together. Decisions about camp C like where to go and what to pack C should be a joint venture, keeping in mind the child=s maturity. If a child feels a part of the decision-making process, his/her chances of having a positive experience are improved.
2. Talk about concerns. As the first day of camp nears, some children experience uneasiness about going away. Encourage children to talk about these feelings. Communicate confidence in the child=s ability to handle being away from home.
3. Have realistic expectations. Camp, like the rest of life, has high and low points. Not every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage children to have a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss both the ups and downs they may experience.
4. Ask the hard questions. Ask the camp director as many questions as you need to before camp begins in order to feel comfortable.
5. When families make the decision to offer their children the benefits of a camp experience, they are giving them the opportunity to grow and develop in a caring, positive environment that is safe and fun. With careful planning and preparation, a camp experience can be an experience of a lifetime.
For more information about preparing for camp, visit the American Camping Association Website, http://www.acacamps.org or contact Brenda Aufdenkamp, Extension Educator, UNL Extension - Lincoln & McPherson Counties.
