Now that summer has arrived, the idea of sending your children to summer camp has resurfaced once again. This year, some parents are enrolling their children into camp for the first time and experiencing a variety of mixed feelings. Some mothers feel hesitant to send their children into this more independent atmosphere, while other mothers are excited to enjoy some time in order to complete their own summer projects at home or at work. Each parent has their own way of viewing this new experience. To get prepared for this exciting transition, it is important to prepare yourself as a parent. As well, it is important to prepare your child in a variety of ways in order to make this changeover as smooth as possible.
The first step that a parent must take in order to support their children at camp is to choose the camp that your childs needs. There is an abundance of summer camp options out there. For example, there are arts camps, sports camps, day camps, camps that have a focus on day trips, child care centres with a camp feel, dance camps, overnight camps, and more! It is important to find a camp that your child will enjoy every day and would participate in most, if not all, activities daily. Parents can always include their child in the decision making process regarding the type of camp they would like to go to. As the brainstorming session concludes, the next step would be to visit the camp site and the camp director. This would help get a better picture of what children would be doing day-to-day and a great opportunity to ask questions openly. After visiting a few camps and the decision of which camp your children will attend has been made, the preparation process will begin.
Preparing yourself as a parent is as much as important as preparing your children. Here are some things that you can do:
~ Discuss the camp setting and routines with your child.
~ Discuss the What ifs with your child.
A few examples are: What if you have to go to the washroom, what would you do?
What if you get lost at camp, what would you do?
What if you do not like the lunch that day?
What if you do not want to participate in an activity?
~ Discuss what your child will need for camp and buy important items together.
~ Plan and schedule Mommy/Daddy and children days together before camp.
~ Discuss ways in which your child can communicate with you at camp.
~ Brainstorm some other topics to discuss with your child together.
*** Remember that when you talk to your child about things before camp, it helps them feel less anxious, and in turn, you as a parent can feel better.
Lastly and most importantly, here are some ideas in order to help you to prepare your child for the first week of camp:
- Practice waking up with your child at the same time that you would wake up for camp a week before camp in order to allow for any mistakes or mishaps in the schedule.
- Prepare lunches with your children.
- Buy and pack a backpack with your child together and discuss what needs to go in it with your child. (Make a list before and it can be fun to check things off)
- Put a family picture into the backpack. (You may let your child choose one or even make a fun booklet of pictures from your nearby photo centre)
- Send a small and cuddly teddy bear for when your child would like a hug during the day.
- Put an item that is associated with Mommy and Daddy into the backpack
- Leave early to camp for the first week allowing ample time in order to say goodbyes, learning about where his/her items are stored during the day, and meeting camp staff, camp friends, and families.
- Always tell your child that you are coming back and encourage them to participate in the morning routine.
**Remember that children pay close attention to non-verbal communication and if you appear hesitant, worried, nervous, or sad they will sense that and react to those feelings. Try your absolute best to keep those feelings to yourself when you are with your children and seek support from friends who are also sending their children to camp. Feel free to discuss any concerns or questions that you may have with Camp staff and directors, as they are used to supporting children and families through the transition during the first week of camp.
Best of luck to all families who are sending their children to camp this summer. Feel free to email Camilla Soberano with any questions or comments at camillasoberano@hotmail.com.