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Summertime is upon us, and many children will be embarking on a new adventure, going off to summer camp for the first time. Summer camp, in many ways, is a rite of passage in most children’s lives. Yet, many parents often become frazzled and stressed out when choosing and sending their child to summer camp.
When should you arrive? What do they need to pack? Here are some great tips to help make that summer camp experience a great time.
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Tips for a Great Summer Camp Preparation
Choosing the Right Camp With the Right COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
2020 was a terrible year for group activities amid Covid-19, and this year is still feeling the effects of the pandemic. Children, in general, tend to be less affected by Covid-19, but they can still catch it, and they tend asymptomatic, which means they spread it better than adults. Therefore, if you are thinking of sending your child to a camp, look into their Covid-19 safety policies and procedures. Make sure they have a good hygiene plan in place, are limiting the number of campers mingling, and know what to look out for so your camper will be safe and you won’t be anxious the entire time they are away.
‘Extra research into the camp you are choosing never goes amiss,’ says Glenda Burns, a writer at Phdkingdom and Write My X. Ask all your questions, read the information packs, talk to other parents who send their kids to summer camp. Anything that will help put your mind at ease.
Speak Positively and Calmly About Camp
Your child will pick up on any anxiety you have about preparing and going to camp. It’s essential to stay calm and positive when talking about going to camp. If you are excited and calm about sending them, they will feel more at ease about going and are less likely to be sad and anxious about their experience. If your child expresses any anxiety over making friends or missing you, ease their worries and reiterate that they are fully capable of overcoming both.
Follow the Packing List and Get Your Child Involved, Too
When you have chosen a summer camp, the camp will send out all the relevant information and forms that you will have to fill out. They also include a packing list. It’s super important that you follow this list, and getting your child involved with the packing is important. They will glean ways on how to pack their bag for going back home by helping you pack their bag on the way there. Make sure the clothing is all play clothing that can get dirty. Do not skimp on sun protection, as you are outside a majority of the time. Also, depending on what part of the summer the camp is running, the evenings can get a bit chilly, so bring a couple of warm sweatshirts to cozy up at night.
‘Label all of your belongings that you are bringing, or you will come home without some of them,’ explains Diana Weber, a parenting blogger at Australia2write and Britstudent. Many campers are usually in a cabin, and stuff will get mixed up and borrowed by their friends, so labeling will help them sort out whose stuff is when it’s time to pack up and go home.
Arrive on Time and Leave on Time
Know when you need to get your camper to the site and when you can check-in. Make your goodbyes short and sweet not to cause too much upset, and don’t forget to hand in the required paperwork. The same goes for picking them back up, be sure to be on time, so no one gets held up.
Handling Homesickness
At some point, your child might feel homesick, which is perfectly normal. Be sure to empower and encourage your child that they will see you soon enough and to have a great time without you. They will usually bounce back once they know they can have fun without you.
These tips and tricks will help you, the parent, send your kid to summer camp well-prepared to have an amazing summer camp experience.
*Sources: 1. Summer Camp Prep: What Every Parent Needs to Know 2. Preparing Children for the Summer Camp Experience 3. Parent Questions About Summer Camps Amid Covid-19 Restrictions and the Answers They Should Listen For 4. The Ultimate Guide to Kids' Summer Camps 5. PARENTING TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SUMMER DAY CAMP
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Kendra Beckley
Kendra Beckley is a business development manager, as well as an editor at Academicbrits.com and Originwritings.com. She helps companies enter new markets. She is also interested in writing articles on various topics at Nextcoursework.com.
