This document provides a four-step plan for preparing children for their first overnight summer camp experience, emphasizing the importance of involving them in the decision-making process and visiting potential camps together. It includes practical advice on packing, sharing personal camp stories to ease anxieties, and establishing communication methods while at camp. Additionally, it promotes Camp Walt Whitman as a safe and nurturing option for summer campers.

2. PREPARE YOUR CHILD
FOR OVERNIGHT SUMMER
CAMP
FOUR-STEP PLAN:

3. So this is the year your child will take the big
step and head off to summer sleepaway
camp for the first time.

4. There’s a lot you can do to make the
experience
easier for him.

5. No matter how excited he is at the prospect of
endless days and nights of:
Swimming
Sailing
Games
Campfires
After-dark giggling
It’s still a huge step from the comforting familiarity
of home to the great unknown of sleepaway camp.

6. Depending on your child’s 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. GET YOUR CHILD
INVOLVED

9. Your child will feel a lot more invested in
the summer camping experience if they
are included in the decision-making
process and preparations.

10. Before you sign on the dotted line visit
some camps together. Talk about the ones
each of you liked and why…and the one
ones you didn’t like and why.

11. If possible, try to visit when camp is in
session. This allows you to observe how the
campers and staff interact.

12. It also gives your child a chance to chat with
other campers and find out if they’re enjoying
their summer and if they seem happy,
involved and well-supervised.

13. It 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. PACK IT UP

15. A big part of building up to the
excitement of camp is getting
everything ready; it’s like packing
for an exciting vacation.

16. Most camps provide a list of what to
bring and what not to bring.

17. So, 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.

18. Don'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. CAMP TALES

20. If 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 they’re 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. STAYING IN TOUCH

29. It’s a good idea to discuss ahead of time how
you’ll stay in touch while your child’s 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.

33. And remember…once your child is in the
swing of summer camp fun... you’ll most
likely miss him or her more than they’ll be
missing you.

34. If you're considering sending your child
to an overnight summer camp, be sure
to visit our site to learn about Camp
Walt Whitman.

35. Located in the White Mountains of New
Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a
safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful
mountain setting.

36. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with
separate areas for boys and girls.

37. The kids have a blast, and make
friendships that can last a lifetime.

38. http://www.campwalt.
com

39. Camp Walt Whitman
1000 Cape
Moonshine Rd
Piermont, NH 03779
603-764-5521
cww@campwalt.com