Preparing Your Child For Camp

Whether this is your child’s first visit to camp or they have been here many times, any trip away from home has the potential to produce anxiety in any child. Here are a few suggestions from Christian Camping International that may help get your child ready for camp:

• Talk about the activities they will be doing: swimming, hiking, arts & crafts, boating, ropes course, and sleeping out. Let them know adults are watching over them.
• Send stamped and addressed postcards with your child so he or she can write home.
• Send a letter. Everyone likes to get mail! Keep the contents positive. Be sure to send mail early or the letter will arrive after the child has returned home.
• Sidestep the separation. Focus on the stories your child can tell you after camp. Please do not suggest to your child that he or she can call home if they get homesick. Telephones are not available for the campers, encourage your child to talk to a staff member if they feel homesick. If we are unable to work things out, we will call you. Usually the child is over any homesickness after the first day.
• Celebrate the homecoming. Plan a special dinner for the evening your child returns and make a welcome home sign!