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Preparing Children for the Summer Camp
Experience
MARTINSVILLE, Ind. - While summer seems far
away, parents are already considering where to send their child
for summer camp. Before camp begins, there are some preparations
to consider that may make the child's camp experience more fun and
rewarding.
"Summer camp is more than a vacation for
children," says Bruce Muchnick, Ed.D., a licensed
psychologist specializing in child and adolescent development.
"At camp, kids learn to appreciate the outdoors, develop
companionship and pick up skills that enhance self-reliance,
cooperation and interdependence. These skills will remain with
them into adulthood."
Parents should consider the following
suggestions to increase their child's opportunity for a rewarding
camp experience:
- Consider camp as a learning experience. This
is an opportunity for a child to explore a world bigger than
his/her neighborhood and a chance for parent and child to
practice "letting go." Letting go allows children to
develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new
friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, be
creative and more. This time also allows parents an
opportunity to take care of themselves so that they will feel
refreshed when their child returns home.
- Prepare for camp together. Decisions about
camp -- 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, the chances of
having a positive experience will improve.
- Talk about concerns. As the first day of camp
nears, some children experience uneasiness about going away.
Talk about these feelings. Communicate confidence in his/her
ability in dealing with being away from home.
- Have realistic expectations. Camp, like the
rest of life, has high and low points. Every moment is not
filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage children to have
a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss both the ups
and downs the child may encounter. Make sure the child does
not feel pressured to succeed at camp. For the child, the main
purpose of camp is to relax and have fun.
Once the child arrives at camp, he or she may
experience some apprehension related to the fear of the unknown
and/or the fear of failure in new situations. Some refer to this
as "homesickness," which can take the form of
stomachaches, headaches, occasional misbehavior (in hopes of being
sent home) or even statements about "hating" camp.
"Most kids need a couple of days to adjust to life at camp
and being away from home," says Muchnick. "They miss
familiar surroundings, parents, pets and friends. Overcoming
homesickness, upsets in the cabin and learning to care for oneself
are important challenges that can be faced at camp."
Founded in 1910, the American Camping
Association is a national community of camp professions and is
dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through
the camp experience. ACA is the only organization that accredits
all types of camps across the United States verifying compliance
with up to 300 individual health, safety, and program quality
standards. For free information, parents can visit their web site
at www.ACAcamps.org
or call (800) 428-CAMP.
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