Summer Camp

Vera Joffe, Ph.D.
(vjphdcr)
Copyright © 2001-present. All rights reserved.

SUMMER CAMP

Getting ready for Summer Camp!

I hope you are having a good summer, and that you are getting used to the heat…

My daughters are already starting their summer activities. Every year, they make plans that fit their personalities, and their preferences. Melissa is in Washington in an Internship at a Nonprofit Environmental Organization. Monica is going to one of her favorite spots in North Carolina to be a counselor at Camp Judaea.

I am sure that by now you have made decisions for your children’s camps, activities, and trips for the summer. It is very important to keep some points in mind when making plans and executing them for the summer.

What are the children going to do in the summer? Before we even talk about plans for the summer, remember: There is no need nor obligation to “keep your children busy” during the summer. It is time to relax, to have fun, to have more flexible schedules, and to explore various activities and new things in life that children cannot do during the school year. Thus, if your children are very young, or if one of you (parents) stay at home during the summer, you may choose to not send your children to a camp, at least part of the summer.

Thus, children don’t need to be “booked up” during the whole summer. Quite the contrary, it is good to stop and experience a different rhythm during the summer. Of course, if both of the parents work, you need to keep your children in a schedule, but just knowing that they won’t have to complete homework at night is a change in your daily lives…

The choice of a camp depends on many different factors, such as:

• Whether the camp is a sleep-away one, a day camp, or a camp where children go home for the weekends;
  
  
• Is there a theme for the camp? Camps that emphasize sports, arts, performance, special needs camps, and organized trips for older children (teen trips);
  
  
• Is this a religious camp, a Secular camp, an academic camp;
  
  
• How far from home do you want your children to go?
  
  
• How long is one session? Do you want your children to stay two sessions?
  
  
• Do your children know anyone who went to this camp? What do you know about the camp?
  
  
• Can you visit the camp?
  
  
• The most important factor is your child’s age and general interests.

At this point you may have chosen a camp already. Getting ready for camp can be very laborious.

“Going shopping” for camp is something a lot of families do. I would like to suggest that you save the “shopping” for the next school year. Children want to be comfortable and in their old clothes when they are at Camp. Teach your children modesty, and to save money for another time when they need new clothes.

Finally, try to find out from the camp director and staff what is appropriate to give your children in terms of money and food.

Also, find out before hand how often you should send packages, and whether it is appropriate to call. Remember: Camp should be an experience of healthy separation from parents, but still your children need to have some contact with you, especially if they are going to camp for the first time.

Last, but not least, when you write letters to your children, make sure you keep a positive tone, and that although you miss them, that you are very happy that they are having the experience of camp.

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