Tips On Preparing Your Child For The First Summer At Sleepaway Camp

1. T Tips on Preparing Your Child ips on Preparing Your Child for the First Summer at for the First Summer at Sleepaway Camp Sleepaway Camp

2. It’s exciting and a little scary; your child is taking that big step, the first It’s exciting and a little scary; your child is taking that big step, the first summer at sleepaway camp. Whether your youngster is following friends or summer at sleepaway camp. Whether your youngster is following friends or siblings to camp or striking out bravely on his own, there are a few things siblings to camp or striking out bravely on his own, there are a few things you can do to make the transition easier for your child you can do to make the transition easier for your child – – and for you. and for you.

3. Have a Trial Have a Trial- -Run Sleepover Run Sleepover

4. If your youngster had limited experience with staying If your youngster had limited experience with staying away from home overnight, have him spend the night away from home overnight, have him spend the night with a relative or friend he hasn’t stayed with before, with a relative or friend he hasn’t stayed with before, and don’t go and get him in the middle of the night! and don’t go and get him in the middle of the night! A new sleepover experience will be a little like the A new sleepover experience will be a little like the first night at camp and will help you address any first night at camp and will help you address any issues that may arise. issues that may arise.

5. If your family is from the city, an overnight camping If your family is from the city, an overnight camping trip can get him used to unfamiliar things in the trip can get him used to unfamiliar things in the outdoor environment like wildlife, bugs and outdoor environment like wildlife, bugs and nighttime sounds in the woods. nighttime sounds in the woods.

6. Go to Open House Go to Open House

7. If possible, attend an open house at your child’s camp while the camp is If possible, attend an open house at your child’s camp while the camp is in session. Your child will get a better idea of what to expect and can in session. Your child will get a better idea of what to expect and can become somewhat familiar with the facilities, what the atmosphere is become somewhat familiar with the facilities, what the atmosphere is like and what would be happening on a typical day. like and what would be happening on a typical day.

8. Go Shopping Go Shopping

9. Your child’s camp will likely send along a list of necessities and optional Your child’s camp will likely send along a list of necessities and optional items, so bring your youngster along on a cool camp shopping spree. items, so bring your youngster along on a cool camp shopping spree. Although most camps encourage older t Although most camps encourage older t- -shirts, sweatshirts and shorts that can withstand lots of outdoor adventures, it’s fun to get one or two new can withstand lots of outdoor adventures, it’s fun to get one or two new items or splurge on one “in” bit of clothing or accessory. items or splurge on one “in” bit of clothing or accessory. shirts, sweatshirts and shorts that

10. Explain About Sharing Space Explain About Sharing Space

11. Many kids these days have never had to share a bedroom, so living in close Many kids these days have never had to share a bedroom, so living in close quarters with eight other campers can be a bit overwhelming. In fact, one of quarters with eight other campers can be a bit overwhelming. In fact, one of the challenges of summer camp counselor jobs is teaching kids to cohabit in the challenges of summer camp counselor jobs is teaching kids to cohabit in a relatively small space. a relatively small space.

12. Provide some pointers on keeping organized and not infringing on cabin Provide some pointers on keeping organized and not infringing on cabin- - mates’ space. Try throwing a slumber party for your child before camp starts mates’ space. Try throwing a slumber party for your child before camp starts or letting him attend more overnight get or letting him attend more overnight get- -togethers than usual to provide more exposure to group living. more exposure to group living. togethers than usual to provide

13. Go Over the Basics Go Over the Basics

14. Camp is great for teaching kids how to take care of themselves. Go over Camp is great for teaching kids how to take care of themselves. Go over the importance of separating out clothes that need to be laundered, the importance of separating out clothes that need to be laundered, hanging up wet clothes, bathing suits and towels and keeping toiletries hanging up wet clothes, bathing suits and towels and keeping toiletries segregated in a bucket for carrying to the bathroom. segregated in a bucket for carrying to the bathroom.

15. Let Your Child Know It’s OK to Be Homesick Let Your Child Know It’s OK to Be Homesick

16. Let your first Let your first- -time camper know that’s it’s perfectly normal to be a little time camper know that’s it’s perfectly normal to be a little homesick, but don’t tell them you’ll come and get them if this happens. homesick, but don’t tell them you’ll come and get them if this happens. The vast majority of youngsters overcome an initial bout of homesickness The vast majority of youngsters overcome an initial bout of homesickness fairly quickly, and encouraging them to call and come home is setting fairly quickly, and encouraging them to call and come home is setting them up for failure. them up for failure.

17. Instead, tell them to talk to their summer camp counselors, who are well Instead, tell them to talk to their summer camp counselors, who are well- - versed in dealing with this common first versed in dealing with this common first- -time camper complaint. Staying busy and active and seeking out new friends will quickly push thoughts of busy and active and seeking out new friends will quickly push thoughts of home into the background. home into the background. time camper complaint. Staying

18. Discuss Communications Discuss Communications

19. Depending on the camp your youngster is attending, phone calls may be Depending on the camp your youngster is attending, phone calls may be prohibited or only allowed at certain times of day. Letter writing is a great prohibited or only allowed at certain times of day. Letter writing is a great way to stay in touch, so send your camper off with a supply of stationery way to stay in touch, so send your camper off with a supply of stationery and stamped, self and stamped, self- -addressed envelopes. addressed envelopes.

20. You can even write a letter in advance and slip it into your child’s suitcase You can even write a letter in advance and slip it into your child’s suitcase or mail it in time to get there as camp starts, just as a little transitional or mail it in time to get there as camp starts, just as a little transitional item to remind him that though you’ll miss him, you’re excited for all the item to remind him that though you’ll miss him, you’re excited for all the fun and new experiences he’ll have at sleepaway summer camp. fun and new experiences he’ll have at sleepaway summer camp.

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

22. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. and girls.

23. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. www.campwalt.com www.campwalt.com

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