Your childs first year at overnight summer camp
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Transcript of Your childs first year at overnight summer camp
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Sending your youngster off for his first summer away at sleepaway camp is a huge event for many parents.
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How will your little one ever survive without your protection and guidance?
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The answer is, probably very well after a bit of initial homesickness.
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Camp counselors are well trained in the art of making kids at ease with new friends and in unfamiliar surroundings
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and while youve been suffering the pangs of parental anxiety at home your camper has been off swimming, sailing and giggling around the campfire.
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Relax and make the big step easier for everyone by following a few helpful hints.
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Start With a Sleepover
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If your youngster hasnt spent overnight time away without you, schedule a sleepover with a good friend or with a relative he hasnt stayed with before.
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This will get him a bit more comfortable with staying overnight in less familiar surroundings and also help you realize hell be fine away from home for a while.
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Just dont pick him up if he calls in the middle of the night!
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Make A List
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Make a list of summer camp essentials with your new camper, making sure to include a few little luxuries (not too pricey) like the latest trendy socks.
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It will make your youngster feel well prepared and also cool enough to fit in.
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Once you know what you need, go shopping!
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Kids love to spend your money and can have fun picking out things theyll be using on their new adventure.
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One real ice-breaker on a hot day is a hand-held water misting fan, sure to draw in lots of new friends in sweaty weather.
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Realistic Expectations
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Have an honest talk with your new camper about expectations.
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Most parents tell kids theyll love overnight summer camp, which is more than likely the truth, but its good to address the fact that there might be a bit of an adjustment.
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Let her know some homesickness is perfectly normal and try to brainstorm some ways they might work around it, like staying extra-busy or talking to her cabin counselor.
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If kids are expecting to be perfectly happy right off the bat, the first hint of longing for home may send them into a tailspin.
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The Short Goodbye
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Once youre at the big drop-off, make your goodbyes short and sweet.
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You may be feeling teary-eyed and emotional, but keep your feelings in check until youre back in the car and on the way home.
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While you may think a few tears will make your child feel loved, it may actually just serve to make him feel guilty about leaving you alone and miserable without him.
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Give him a hug, tell him to have fun and above all, do NOT tell him youll come and get him if he doesnt like it
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that just sets your camper up for taking the path of least resistance leaving if he feels homesick.
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News from the Home Front
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Kids at sleepaway camp love letters from home, and youll treasure their often entertaining epistles.
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Hopefully, youve packed them some stationary, pens and self-addressed, stamped envelopes so they have no excuse not to write!
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Letters should ask lots of questions (and not things like are you lonely? ) and make home seem pretty quiet and normal
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its not the time to let them know in on news like a new puppy that may make home seem more exciting than camp.
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Let them know youre glad they have the chance to have this amazing summer experience
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but dont make them feel guilty by rattling on about how lonely the house is without them.
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Remember, summer camp is an amazing experience for your child, offering incomparable opportunities for making friends
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enjoying new experiences, growing emotionally and socially and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime.
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And youll be just fine for a month or two without him!
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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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www.campwalt.com
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CAMP WALT WHITMAN1000 Cape Moonshine Rd
Piermont, NH 03779603-764-5521