Secrets From a Camp Pro
Why building positive relationships with camp leaders is a great idea!
I
’M GOING TO LET YOU IN ON A LITTLE SECRET: Camp directors and staff just may be the biggest allies that parents and guardians will ever meet! There’s so much about educating and caring for children of all ages in the unique setting of a summer camp that naturally fosters a special partnership between families and the camps they choose for their children.
The Basics This close bond is readily apparent when parents visit camp, especially parents of established campers who have several summers under their belts. What you see is a lot of hugging, thanking and celebrating: • hugging because adults grow close after years of working together to help raise a child; • thanking because camp people are truly grateful to have the trust of families and because families are equally grateful for what camps provide; and • celebrating because camp is finally happening –and camp is a special, unique and fun part of each child’s life. 18
Boston Parents Paper Northeast Camp Guide | 2021
Camps frequently succeed in inspiring campers to accomplish what families and schools can’t or don’t. It happens because camps offer problem-solving, collaboration and support through campers’ growing pains that are inevitable in the journey through childhood and adolescence. For families, having this kind of an ally is invaluable, especially in today’s world where it sometimes seems like there’s more judgment and criticism of parents than ever before. It’s well worth it to establish and cultivate relationships with your child’s camp. But, what’s the best way to go about that – with a day or overnight camp – when the entire point is for a child to be independent at camp for a certain period of time? What’s the appropriate role for families to play? The whole point of camp is to provide children with a safe and fun learning opportunity that they can navigate by themselves and with the guidance of camp personnel. However, this cannot happen without mutual trust and respect or a fundamental understanding between the adults at home and the adults at camp. Campers often
F
✺ ✺ ✺
