Is your seven or eight-year old clamoring to set off on the grand adventure of overnight summer camp?
Kids get bitten by the sleepaway camp bug when they hear about cabin shenanigans, daring high ropes courses, canoeing on the lake and munching gooey s’mores by the campfire.
How do you know if they’re really ready to head off into the wilderness for several weeks or longer?
Ask yourself a few basic questions, and you’ll have some idea if your youngster is really camp-ready.
IS YOUR CHILD COMFORTABLE SLEEPING AWAY FROM HOME?
Has your child spent time sleeping away from home at a grandparent’s or friend’s home?
Is she comfortable at sleepovers with a group of kids or does she ask to go home in the middle of the night?
Although summer camp is a longer stretch of time, if your youngster does well staying elsewhere, she has a good chance of adjusting to summer camp.
IS YOUR FUTURE CAMPER INDEPENDENT?
Being at sleepaway camp does require a certain amount of independence. Kids should be able to take care of themselves and their belongings with minimal supervision.
Some basic skills your child will need at camp: Brushing teeth Keeping track of clothes Figuring out camp schedules
Although counselors are there to supervise and help out, campers are expected to be responsible for the basics of cabin living.
DOES YOUR YOUNGSTER ADJUST EASILY TO NEW SITUATIONS?
Does your youngster adjust easily to new places and situations? Does he make friends easily?
If so, it’s likely that he’ll have an easy transition to the new setting, routines and acquaintances of summer camp.
A child who warms up more slowly and tends to be more of a “home body� may need a bit more help adjusting to the sleepaway camp experience.
In this case, going to camp with a friend or attending the same camp as a sibling may be helpful.
CAN YOUR CHILD FOLLOW DIRECTIONS?
Part of being at camp is cooperating with counselors, staff and other adult leaders. Your child should be ready and able to follow directions and treat staff with respect.
Campers learn a lot of amazing things at camp, from swimming, climbing, canoeing to sailing and gymnastics.
And to get the most out of the experience, campers need to be able to listen to and cooperate with instructors and leaders.
DOES THE CAMP HAVE SHORTER SESSIONS?
Some camps allow an option of first-time campers attending for a shorter than normal period of time, perhaps a week or two rather than a month or the whole summer.
If your youngster finds they love camp so much that a week or two isn’t long enough, it’s a pretty sure thing that next summer they’ll be ready to sign on for the whole season.
WHAT KIND OF CAMP INTERESTS YOUR CHILD?
Summer camp programs vary quite a bit. Some are traditional style camp, focused on recreation and outdoor adventures, while others may be more focused on sports, theater or music.
Be sure your child is asking about attending a camp you feel would be appropriate for his interests.
In some camps, options are available to concentrate on certain interests, such as gymnastics or trampoline, while still incorporating traditional camp activities.