Preparing Your Child for Sleepaway Camp

With all of the cold rainy weather we have had, it's hard to believe that the upcoming weekend marks the start of the 2013 camp season at most sleepaway camps. Here are a few tips for those who are sending their children away for the first time and for parents of campers who are nervous about returning to camp:

• Be positive and upbeat: it is totally normal for both children and parents to feel a little worried or anxious before the start of camp. Be positive with your child and, even if you are now wondering how you ever decided to send your little camper away this summer, do not show your child that you have any doubt. Reassure your child that it is normal to feel nervous, but that you know they are ready to do this and that they are going to a wonderful and safe camp where they will have fun and be well taken care of. Let them know that there will always be a nice counselor to go to if they need a grown up or a doctor/nurse to go to if they don't feel well. Tell them that they will make new friends and the staff will help them. Let your child know that you think they will do great and they will love camp.

2. Follow your child's lead: children are busy in June with the end of the school year and their activities. Let them enjoy those activities and don't dwell on them leaving or how much you will miss them. Talk about camp when they bring it up and, if they are scared, tell them that is normal and talk to them about what to expect at camp. Empower your child with information, answer their questions and help them feel prepared.

3, Enlist your child in any final shopping/packing/decisions on what to bring: this can help turn nerves into excitement. Have them bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket from home as well as a small photo album with pictures of family and friends. Preaddressed, stamped envelopes with their stationary are helpful for younger campers.

4. Have a letter waiting for them at camp and make it positive. You might want to even throw a note or little surprise into their camp bag. (But do not send excessive amounts of bunk junk—much of it will come home unopened).

5. Do Not Make Deals/bribes: when they are really worried, some children will ask their parents if they can come home early if they don't like camp. As hard as it may be, your answer has to be no. If your child thinks that coming home early is an option, they often dwell on whether they should stay or go home. This puts a lot of pressure on a child and often stops them from getting totally involved in camp and making the commitment to adjust and staying.

6. If you Feel like your Child Has Extreme Anxiety about Going: call the camp. Speak to the director or group leader about how to support your child and how to set up your child so that they will succeed.

7. Do Not Prolong the Goodbyes: give your child a big hug, tell them you love them and then let them get on the camp bus. Camps send wonderful and nurturing staff members to ride on the bus with the children. Enlist one of them if your child is having trouble getting on the bus or needs to find another camper to sit with. I know that it is heart-wrenching if it is your child, but sometimes there are tears at the bus. Let the camp staff help you and know that your child really will be fine. The children have fun on the bus and start to bond. If you drive your child to camp, find a staff member to leave them with and let them walk away from you so they do not have to watch you leave.

As for you, I suggest that parents have sunglasses at the bus so your camper will not see if you are teary. Make plans for the rest of the family for that day/weekend so you are not sitting around dwelling on whether your child got to camp yet and how s/he is doing (many camps will call to let you know). Remember that the hardest part for you is the beginning of the first summer. Once you know that your camper is happy, it gets much easier and the time away really does go fast. Please remember that you have given your child an incredible gift—the gift of camp.

This article was contributed by Ellen Wylie of Spectacular Summers. Let Ellen help you find the right camp or summer experience for your child or teen. Visit her website at www.spectacularsummers.com or call her at:  (914)722-2644 or  (888)774-2267.