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Is Your Child Ready for Day Camp?

By Jess Michaels May 2, 2012

Your child going to day camp for the first time is a big step in his or her life.  While it is an exciting time, your child going to camp may cause some nervousness for both you and your child.  So how do you prepare your child for summer camp? The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey recommends families consider the following when preparing your child for his or her first day camp experience.  

o    Interest & Readiness - How did your child become interested in going to camp?  Is he or she comfortable separating from you for segments of time? Does your child enjoy playing with other children? Does he or she thrive on achieving milestones of independence? Answering these questions will help you determine if your child is both interested and ready for day camp.  Remember, the decision to go to camp should be made together.  Keep in mind that the more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel. This helps ease concerns about camp, and can help make a child’s camp experience more successful.

o    Age - Day camps are designed for children 3 years and up and the experience is often a child’s first steps toward independence. Camp provides an opportunity for children to explore a much larger world. It also offers parents and children a chance to practice normal, healthy separation, which allows children to develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, and so much more.

o    Expectations – You should learn about the camp program ahead of time and create positive expectations for your child.  Talk about camp in the months leading up to camp. Go for a tour of the day camp.  Scheduling a camp tour with your child before sending your child to camp gives the future camper a chance to see camp in action, with campers enjoying all the fun activities the camp has to offer.  Camp tours give children the feeling that he or she is part of the process of choosing the camp and the more involved a child feels in the decision making, the more successful the camp experience will be.  If you can’t take a tour, visit the camp’s website together. 

o    Positive Messages - It is important for parents to share positive messages about summer camp.  It is common for a child to have some apprehension as the first day of camp approaches—encourage your child to talk about these feelings.  Let your child know you are confident in your child’s ability to have a wonderful summer camp experience.

Need assistance in finding the right camp for your child? Visit the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey’s camp database by clicking HERE and register for a free, customized list of camps that match your needs.  Families can also call 212.391.5208 to speak with the ACA, NY and NJ Camper Placement Specialist for free, one-on-one advice in finding a summer camp. ACA-Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety and ensures that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities.