4 Ways to Prepare Your Child For Summer Camp

Your child's first year at summer camp can be an exciting yet intimidating milestone. However, if you properly prepare your child to have fun, make friends, and try new activities, they will be less likely to be afraid on the first day of camp. Below are four ways for you to prepare your child for summer camp.

Let Them Help You Pack

The camp you choose will likely send you and your child an extensive packing list. Instead of packing your child's bag for them, allow them to help you pack the bag. This will help ensure that they know what everything in the bag is for and prepare them for different situations when they may have to use each item.

Talk About the Program They Chose

Instead of talking about camp in general, prepare your child for the specific program they chose. This will help get them excited for camp while giving them an idea of what their daily schedule will consist of.

Be Realistic About the Experience

Unfortunately, camp is not always fun. There may be times when your child feels bored, lonely, or overwhelmed. You should discuss ways that your child can cope with these emotions, such as taking a break from group activities if they are overwhelmed or writing a letter home if they are lonely. This will prepare them to cope with negative situations. However, you should not dwell on these less positive aspects of camp.

Take Your Child to an Open House

Most camps offer an open house at the beginning of the summer season. As opposed to the camp tours during the school year, a summer open house gives your child the opportunity to meet some of their future counselors as well as fellow campers. This will allow them to recognize familiar faces on the first day of camp and feel more secure from the start.

Preparing your child for camp is a process. If you start preparing them as soon as you sign your child up for camp, they will be ready and excited on the day they leave.