choosing a camp

Your attitude toward the camping experience is equally as important as what the experiences at the camp itself might be.

Be sure that you are ready to have your child leave home, that you trust him/her to be on his/her own, that you are not fearful of the risks and possible mishaps connected with camping.

Talk about camping as a happy adventure - be positive at all times.

Do not discuss "homesickness", and caution well meaning friends and relatives to avoid the subject. While homesickness can be a very real thing, you might actually be planting a thought that may never otherwise occur to the child. Let's see that we, as adults, do not create this anxiety before the child ever gets to camp.

If your child does get homesick at camp, do not aggravate the situation with apprehensive letters or phone calls, but let it be worked out with the cooperation of the leaders and the camp director. Camp directors and camp staff deal with homesickness every summer - they will have a variety of solutions to make your child's stay enjoyable - speak with them about this, they may well call you for advice as well if the child is not responding to these solutions.

Health knowledge is a very important factor in successful camping. Be sure that your child is well and attend to potential problems before sending your child to camp. Be honest in your comments about your child's health. Remember that you and the camp directors are equally interested in your child's welfare, and that both are working together to see that the summer is pleasant, enjoyable, and profitable.

If your child has been exposed to any contagious diseases just prior to arrival, be sure to discuss this with the camp director before bringing the child to camp. It is unfair to expose all the other campers to a communicable disease.

Perhaps your child may be a "picky" eater, have a "nervous" stomach, or be a "bed wetter". Whatever it may be, make a note of it on the medical form. None of these things are problems, when the directors know about them.

You can do much to prepare your child for the new and uncertain, yet highly rewarding experiences that will be encountered at camp through friendly chats about things that might seem different. You will think of many things to talk about, but here are a few to start you off:

Darkness: You might mention the difference between the bright lights in the city at night and the quiet beauty of star-studded evenings in the country, sitting around the camp fire at night will seem exciting and different to youngsters.

Noises: Normal city noises of sirens, buses, horns and airplanes will be exchanged for the sounds of small animals, the chirping of crickets, owl hooting.

Space: Undeveloped land is becoming a thing of the past. At camp, however, children have acres and acres for playing and hiking. It may be a child's first encounter with space, and this new world may seem very large. We adults have a tendency to forget that things we long ago accepted will still be adjustments for children.

Children: Mention that there are different kinds of children, and that it will require "give and take" to get along - to make friends and to get the most out of living at camp.

Religion: People have different religion beliefs and customs, but each has a right to believe in his or her own way.

Security: Security lies within a person, him or herself, that camping is not a personality, athletic or endurance contest, but that it is a place which encourages self confidence in people for what they are, as individuals, and not by comparisons.

Some camps offer opportunities to purchase items while at camp while others do not operate stores and discourage campers from bringing money with them. Check with the camp.

Before leaving for camp, be sure to discuss the question of letter writing.

How often would your child like to hear from you? How often would you like to hear from him/her? All too frequently mothers are so eager to hear from their children that they forget to write. Your youngsters might be having a lot of fun, but it is vital that they receive mail.

Even if you don't have much to say, be positive, and keep it cheerful. (If a pet dog misses his owner and won't eat, don't say so.)

If your child is young, why not type out a self-addressed set of stamped envelopes (with writing paper inserted), separating them with tissue paper, and post cards to make it easy.

Stylish elaborate clothing is not required at camp. Clothing that is familiar to the camper is a good idea. Be sure to mark all clothes with sewed-in name tapes - marking pencils are inadequate when clothes are washed with commercial preparations.

Put name tapes in easy-to-find places; on socks, outside under the long arch of the foot; on shorts and jeans, in the middle of the waist-band at the back; blouses and sweat-shirts, in the inside center of the collar (where labels are); all linens, in a corner.

Be sure to mark everything - rubber boots, runners, hat, camera, toothbrush, etc. Include extra name tapes for new purchases at the camp.

Be sure to include a raincoat. Everybody likes to hike in the rain, but this is a more delightful adventure with proper rainwear.

Help your child pack his/her clothing. Maybe put a list of everything on the inside of his/her suitcase or pack.

In getting ready for camp involve your child in packing so he/she knows where and what belongings are with them.

Assuming that you are driving your child to camp, be sure to meet the director first and find out what is expected of you. Generally this will consist of meeting the leaders who will be directly in charge of your child, going on a tour of the camp with them, depositing your child's belongings at the proper place, and leaving the camp without prolonged involvement or farewells.

If other parents seem to be unpacking or making beds, ask your child's counsellor if there is anything you can do. You do not want to embarrass your new camper.

With just a moment's silent observation, you will be surprised how well-equipped your child is to take care of himself/herself right from the start.

Much of this self-assurance on your part will stem directly from the fact that you will have agreed with your child that he or she will find the answers to any questions or problems merely by asking the leaders.

Please be sure to let the camp decide where and with whom your child will be living. You know your child very well, but the director knows group living and camping and where your youngster will fit in best. Why? The director will have learned a great deal about your child and will have evaluated the information in order to make the best cabin or tent placement.

If a special friend of your child is at the camp also, you may want to mention this to the director. The two friends may be placed in the same activity group, but it may not be wise to have them living together.

One of the reasons for going to camp is to make new friends, be exposed to new conditions, as well as to strengthen old friendships. Camping should be an opportunity for branching out.

Determine what the camp's guidelines are regarding communication to and from home while camp is in session.

Follow the camp's guidelines with regard to sending food, treats, and other gifts. Your child might write that all campers are receiving packages. Be assured that all of them are not.

If your child has a birthday during his/her camp-stay, gifts other than food are often best. A camp may provide a birthday cake for the group to enjoy.

Visit at prescribed times only. Some camps do not encourage parents to visit for at least ten days to two weeks. Your child should be given ample opportunity to get into the swing of things. Thereafter, if you have promised to visit, be sure to keep your word.

When your child comes home, recognize that what she or he has done and achieved is important - just as important to the child as your vacation, or your latest achievement. Let your child tell of camp experiences. Listen and you will hear about the crazy skit, the new song or the hike up to the top of the mountain.

Search for any improvements in behaviour and attitude that might emerge, even though the full impact of them might not be obvious to you immediately. The experience of going to camp builds strength of character, develops skills and broadens the awareness of each individual throughout their lives.