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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
