Four Step Plan: Prepare Your Child For Overnight Summer Camp

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PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP
FOUR-STEP PLAN
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So this is the year your child will take the big
step and head off to summer sleepaway camp for
the first time.
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Theres a lot you can do to make the experience
easier for him.
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No matter how excited he is at the prospect of
endless days and nights of
Campfires
Swimming
After-dark giggling
Sailing
Games
Its still a huge step from the comforting
familiarity of home to the great unknown of
sleepaway camp.
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Depending on your childs personality, and
whether or not anyone they know will be going to
camp with them
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there may be some trepidation mixed in with the
excitement of living away from home for a whole
summer.
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• GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVED

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Your child will feel a lot more invested in the
summer camping experience if they are included in
the decision-making process and preparations.
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Before you sign on the dotted line visit some
camps together. Talk about the ones each of you
liked and whyand the one ones you didnt like
and why.
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If possible, try to visit when camp is in
session. This allows you to observe how the
campers and staff interact.
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It also gives your child a chance to chat with
other campers and find out if theyre enjoying
their summer and if they seem happy, involved and
well-supervised.
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It also gives your camper an opportunity to get a
feel for the surroundings and to help determine
whether or not there is a sense of fitting in.
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• PACK IT UP

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A big part of building up to the excitement of
camp is getting everything ready its like
packing for an exciting vacation.
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Most camps provide a list of what to bring and
what not to bring.
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So, using this as a guide, the two of you can sit
down together, come up with a shopping list and
then go on an afternoon shopping spree.
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Don't go crazy, though. If your youngster insists
on one trendy item, indulge the whim, but most
camp clothing should be inexpensive, durable and
comfortable.
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• CAMP TALES

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If you were a summer camper yourself, tell some
tales of your own adventures at camp and let your
child know if you were a little nervous that very
first summer.
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Even though theyre eager to head off into the
wilderness, there still might be just a little
apprehension.
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• Knowing that you overcame your own fear of the
  unknown and had an awesome time can help ease
  pre-camp jitters.

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• Books about camp can also be helpful.

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• Talk over any specific worries your future camper
  may have and some strategies for dealing with
  anything

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• from fear of the deep end of the pool to
  concerns about making new friends and fitting in.

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• Read stories about camp aloud to your child or
  let them choose their own reading material

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• from a list of good kiddie lit about summer
  camp adventures.

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• STAYING IN TOUCH

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• Its a good idea to discuss ahead of time how
  youll stay in touch while your childs at
  sleepaway camp.

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• Depending on the rules and facilities at camp,
  you may be able to use email or you may need to
  rely on good old-fashioned snail mail.

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• Sending your new camper off with some stationery
  and pre-addressed, stamped envelopes will make it
  easier to send home those treasured letters from
  camp.

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• Also, you may want to slip a letter from home
  right into his trunk as a surprise during
  unpacking.

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And rememberonce your child is in the swing of
summer camp fun... youll most likely miss him or
her more than theyll be missing you.
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If you're considering sending your child to an
overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site
to learn about Camp Walt Whitman.
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Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire,
Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing
environment in a beautiful mountain setting.
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Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate
areas for boys and girls.
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The kids have a blast, and make friendships that
can last a lifetime.
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http//www.campwalt.com
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Camp Walt Whitman 1000 Cape Moonshine
Rd Piermont, NH 03779 603-764-5521 cww_at_campwalt.co
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