active kids
By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
S
ummer camp is without a doubt something kids look forward to all year. Nevertheless, there are important issues you should address to ensure that your kids have a really great time at camp. Based on my experiences as a parent of seasoned summer campers as well as conversations with other parents, I’ve pulled together a list of some of the most common issues. Allergies
If your kids suffer from seasonal allergies, like grass or tree pollen, tell the camp physician or nurse and pack all the medication they need. It can be a real drag for them to walk around the whole time with a runny nose or watery eyes. If they suffer from more serious allergies, like animal or food allergies, inform the camp that your kids shouldn’t come into contact with those allergens. Our son is very allergic to horses. We didn’t think anything of it before we realized that his camp has alpacas, which can induce the same allergic reaction as horses. 14 active kids
Communication
Every camp has a policy about how they prefer you to communicate with your kids, whether by email or phone, and about how many care packages you may send and what you can put in them. Know those policies, and follow them. Kids don’t want to be called out for not following the rules. It’s embarrassing, and it can hurt them socially.
Making Friends
Some kids find it easy to make friends, and others have a harder time. If your kids have a difficult time, ask if they can bunk with one or suburban family | subfam.com
more of their regular friends from home. Most camps permit that. Explain to your kids that no matter how confident the other kids may appear, chances are that they are nervous too. Use yourself as an example and tell them what you did when you were a kid – it makes the situation much more relatable and manageable.
Homesickness
Your kids can still get homesick even if they’re rooming with close friends. It can happen to any camper, no matter how well-prepared and seasoned they are. Find out how the camp handles homesickness. Can you call your kids, even if March/April 2021
