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Excited
About Summer Camp? Four Ways to Prepare
for the Perfect Camp Experience
Parents want their children to experience
an important rite of childhood—camp.
Parents know that through experiences with
nature, authentic relationships, and participation
in human- powered activities, children
develop independence, a sense of self-worth,
and a greater understanding of the world
around them. Simply put, camp changes lives.
However, parents of first-time campers
may be unsure of how to mentally prepare
for this exciting adventure. The American
Camp Association® (ACA) suggests keeping
the following in mind as parents begin
to prepare their children, and themselves,
for camp:
- Focus on education — 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.
- Share the prep work — Camp
decisions, like what to pack, should
be made together. When children feel
that they are part of the decision-making
process, they are more comfortable.
- Talk, talk, talk — It
is only natural that as the first day
of camp approaches, some children may
experience uneasiness about going away.
Encourage your child to talk about these
feelings. Parents should let their child
know that they are confident in the child's
ability to handle being away from home.
Remind the child of other times they
have been away from home successfully — sleepovers
with friends or family, etc.
- Get real — It's important
for children and parents to maintain
realistic expectations. Camp is a microcosm
of the real world, so just like life,
there will be highs and lows. Parents
should encourage realistic views of what
camp will be like, discussing both the
high points and the low points children
may experience. Remind children that
the most important thing is to relax
and have fun at camp.
For more information about preparing for
the summer camp experience, or to Find
A Camp, parents can visit www.CampParents.org.
This online resource for families includes expert
advice, information on health
and safety, and ACA's searchable
database of over 2,400 ACA-Accredited® camps.
Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317
or pr@ACAcamps.org to
interview an ACA
spokesperson for more information
about the essential camp experience.
For customizable public
service announcements or article
reprints, visit our Media Center
at www.ACAcamps.org/media.
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance
the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs
ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally
challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps
that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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