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Gearing up for Camp!
Preparation Is Key to a Successful Summer at Camp
Millions of children will get their first taste of independence at a resident or day camp this summer. More than 12,000 camps across the country are preparing to give children the experience of a lifetime and parents should be doing the same.
Preparation is the key to a successful summer at camp. 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 parents – one that is often marked by excitement, anticipation and perhaps even some anxiety," says Bob Ditter, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in child, adolescent and family therapy.
Parents think that if their child is far away from home, he or she will be more anxious. 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 parents can do to help prepare children for camp is to talk with them before they go," says Ditter.
Ditter makes the following suggestions to help families prepare for camp:
- Prepare for camp together – Decisions about camp, like where to go and what to pack, should be a joint venture, keeping in mind the child's maturity. If a child feels a part of the decision-making process, his chances of having a positive experience are improved.
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.