Fun Books About Summer Camp

Even when kids are back in the swing of school, sports and neighborhood activities, it’s always fun to open up a book and dive back into the wilderness adventures of summer camp. Whether your youngster likes funny stories, scary tales or friendship sagas, there are treasure troves of books that take place at sleepaway camp. You can get in the campfire spirit, even when the snow flies, when you slip between the pages of these popular summer camp novels and story books.

Plantzilla Goes to Camp by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by David Catrow - ages 4-8

Really young kids about to head off for their first summer of camp will love the story of Mortimer Henryson, off to sleepaway camp for the first time. With a text laid out in letters, telegrams and post cards, the vividly illustrated book tells the story of Mortimer as he sets off to continue the family tradition of attending the same camp his dad went to as a boy. Poor Mortimer reluctantly leaves his dog and his pet exotic plant, nicknamed Plantzilla. To make matters worse, he’s assigned to a cabin with the camp bully. Sensing trouble ahead, the amazing Plantzilla heads off the rescue, with much merry mayhem to follow!

Camp K-9 by Mary Ann Rodman; illustrated by Nancy Hayashi - ages 6-8

Written by a former camper and counselor, this enchanting picture book will be a sure-fire favorite with the younger set. Illustrated with pretty pastels, the book tells the story of Roxie and her fellow dog campers and their adventures at Camp K-9. Unfortunately for Roxie, she’s paired up with a “mean girl”, trouble-making standard white poodle, Lucy. One day Lucy goes missing and a wild search ensues, culminating in Roxie finding Lucy and finding out Lucy has a secret. Will Roxie tell?

Camp Fear by Carol Ellis - ages 10-14

Kids who love stories of things that go bump in the night will love the story of Camp Silverlake, where a group of counselors share a deep, dark memory of one summer when they were campers themselves. That long ago summer one camper didn’t make it home and now someone or something has returned to Camp Silverlake to exact a terrible revenge.

Holes by Louis Sachar - ages 8-14

This contemporary classic follows the unusual adventures of Stanley Yelnats. Wrongly accused of theft, this perpetually unlucky young man ends up at a juvenile detention center called Camp Green Lake where there is no actual lake, just a lot of kids digging holes in the dirt. How Stanley survives a summer among the sadistic staff and crazy fellow campers to find out what all the frenzied digging is really about makes for a fascinating read.

Slept Away by Julie Kraut – ages 10 to 15

Tween girls will find a lot to love in the story of Laney Parker, a city girl with pots of money who is horrified to be sent away to the dreadfully rustic Camp Timber Trails. With no cell phone, no air conditioning and no idea of how to be cool when the in-crowd is determined by foreign things like swimming skills, Laney is in for the most surprising summer of her life.

P.S. I Hate It Here edited by Diane Falanga – all ages

You and your older campers will love this hysterical compilation of real letters parents kept from their kids away at camp. The letters, written by campers from eight to sixteen, will have you laughing out loud and reminiscing about days at camp, whether they were last summer or twenty years ago.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Four-Step Plan: Prepare Your Child for Overnight Summer Camp

So this is the year your child will take the big step and head off to summer sleepaway camp for the first time. 

There’s a lot you can do to make the experience easier for him. No matter how excited he is at the prospect of endless days and nights of swimming, sailing, games, campfires and after-dark giggling, it’s still a huge step from the comforting familiarity of home to the great unknown of sleepaway camp. 

Depending on your child’s personality, and whether or not anyone they know will be going to camp with them, there may be some trepidation mixed in with the excitement of living away from home for a whole summer.

Get Your Child Involved

Your child will feel a lot more invested in the summer camping experience if they are included in the decision-making process and preparations. Before you sign on the dotted line visit some camps together. Talk about the ones each of you liked and why…and the one ones you didn’t like and why. If possible, try to visit when camp is in session. This allows you to observe how the campers and staff interact. It also gives your child a chance to chat with other campers and find out if they’re enjoying their summer and if they seem happy, involved and well-supervised. 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”.

Pack It Up

A big part of building up to the excitement of camp is getting everything ready; it’s like packing for an exciting vacation. Most camps provide a list of what to bring and what not to bring. 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. If your youngster insists on one trendy item for the summer, indulge the whim; just having that cool piece of clothing can make a child feel more confident among potential new friends.

Camp Tales

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. Even though they’re eager to head off into the wilderness, there still might be just a little apprehension. Knowing that you overcame your own fear of the unknown and had an awesome time can help ease pre-camp jitters. Books about camp can also be helpful. Talk over any specific worries your future camper may have and some strategies for dealing with anything from fear of the deep end of the pool to concerns about making new friends and fitting in. Read stories about camp aloud to your child or let them choose their own reading material from a list of good kiddie lit about summer camp adventures.

Staying in Touch

It’s a good idea to discuss ahead of time how you’ll stay in touch while your child’s at sleepaway camp. 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. 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. Also, you may want to slip a letter from home right into his trunk as a surprise during unpacking. And remember…once your child is in the swing of summer camp fun...you’ll most likely miss him or her more than they’ll be missing you.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Summer in New England

With its breathtaking shoreline, quaint villages, scenic mountains and glorious lakes, New England offers a cornucopia of summer delights for everyone from beach bums to history fans and outdoor fanatics. Cross the border from New York and you’ll find everything you’ll need for summertime dreams come true.

Captivating Connecticut has it all, from the beautiful hills of Litchfield to the pretty seaport towns of the Long Island Sound. 

Try out a lazy day of tubing on the Farmington River, take the kids on a dinosaur expedition at the popular Peabody Museum in New Haven or explore life in a turn-of-the century whaling town at the Mystic Seaport Museum. 

A wealth of beaches and state parks line the shoreline including historic Ocean Beach in New London where old timey arcades, an historic boardwalk and a wide swathe of sand lure young and old alike. Stop in pretty towns like Essex, Old Saybrook and quaint little Stonington village on your way to Rhode Island.

Little Rhody is deservedly famous for its stunning stretch of sandy coastline winding up from popular family vacation haven Westerly, just over the Connecticut border, through Charlestown, Narragansett and glamorous Newport. 

Take the kids to Misquamicut State Beach for super surf, family friendly eateries, outdoor movies and motels right on the sand, or head to more upscale Watch Hill, once known as Little Newport, where quaint shops, two beautiful beaches (bay and ocean) and some of the best ice cream in the state await. 

Afterwards, head to historic Newport where a necklace of magnificent mansions unwind along the breathtaking Cliff Walk, and the waterfront is a glorious tangle of upscale shops, galleries and restaurants.

Summer in Massachusetts is synonymous with Cape Cod, where a dazzling string of pretty coastal villages wind up to the spellbinding dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Spend the weekend at a charming little bed and breakfast just a short stroll from the beach, dine alfresco on same-day-fresh seafood and savor a sunset cocktail at a friendly local café. 

Biking, swimming, sailing, horseback riding and surfing are all part of a day’s play at the Cape. History and museum buffs should definitely make a detour to Boston, where attractions like the Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offer a fine culture break from days of sun, sand and home-made ice cream.

New Hampshire, with its verdant hills, awe-inspiring mountains and crystalline lakes is a real mecca for hikers, climbers, campers and white water rafters. Home to numerous sleepaway summer camps, this beautiful state offers a wealth of summertime treats. 

Savor lunch on the verandah of an historic grand hotel, get a unique perspective on White Mountains scenery on the historic Cog Railroad, experience the magnificent vistas of the Kangamangus highway or head off to a day of kiddie delights at Story Land, a New England family tradition.

Vermont, known mainly as a super ski destination, is really a four-season playground. Before the leaf peepers descend in the fall, summer in Vermont is chock full of activities, especially at the ski resorts, where zip lines, gondolas and mountainside slides turn a winter wonderland into a spectacular summer holiday destination.

Whether you crave the romance of a rugged coastline or the solitude of miles of unspoiled wilderness, Maine is the perfect spot for summertime adventure. Quaint beach towns like Kennebunkport and Booth Bay Harbor offer a classic Maine seaside experience, while adventurers will want to explore the granite and spruce islands of Arcadia National Park or hike Mount Katadhin, end point of the Appalachian Trail.

Whatever roads through historic New England you choose this summer, you’re bound to find outdoor adventure, seaside delights, historic wonders and plenty of fun in the sun.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Ways to Teach Teamwork to Kids

One of the greatest things kids can learn is how to work as a team, as skill that will serve them well in so many parts of their lives, from youth athletic leagues to school projects, college academics and the workplace. 

Being a “good team player” and knowing how to work with all sorts of people toward a common goal certainly makes you a valued commodity in our society, and activities like summer camp makes learning this valuable ability a whole lot of fun. 

Kids can learn to function as a team in many ways, and if you keep your eye out at summer camp visits, you’ll notice campers involved in activities in places like the low ropes courses as well as on all sorts of playing fields, in swimming pools and out on the lake.

What is a Team Player?

A team player is less an “it’s all about me” kind of person and more a “go team” sort. Kids who help out at home and in the classroom, include others in games and activities and know how to both lead and follow tend to grow into more successful young adults.

Ropes Course Activities

Lots of companies use the lower part of a ropes course for team building activities, and kids at overnight summer camps get a jump on the action. Whereas the high ropes course focuses on more physical challenges, the low ropes course is chock full of trust building and problem solving activities, all geared toward helping campers learn how to work together effectively toward a common goal, all while getting to know each other better and having buckets of fun.

Theatrical Teamwork

Theatrical activities from summer camp campfire skits to local talent shows and community theater stage productions pretty much require kids to work as a team if the show is going to go on. Many stage companies routinely use teamwork activities to form a cohesive cast and crew before a show gets into full swing. 

However, even little summer camp productions have actors, writers, directors, stage builders, lighting crews and stage managers. Each person has his or her role and has to learn how to work with all the other team members whether they get along with them particularly well or not. Opening night is the deadline and everyone has to pull together to meet it successfully!

On the Playing Field

From organized youth athletics to school sports and summer camp fun, the playing fields can be a super way to learn to be a team player. Of course summer camp is brimming with all kinds of games, from beloved standard gaga ball and rowdy camp color wars to traditional sports like basketball, softball and soccer. 

At camp, counselors encourage youngsters to celebrate everybody’s contribution and truly work together to play the best game possible. Everyone cheers everyone else on and the end result is lots of fun whether the team wins or loses.

Everyday Teamwork

There are so many ways kids to learn to work as a team, especially when they are at places like sleepaway camp where they tend to have more responsibilities.

Even keeping the cabin clean can be a great team building event, since the sooner clothes are picked up and beds made, the sooner the day’s fun can begin. From helping the team win at a swimming relay race to prompting an actor in the campfire skit, sleepaway camp is full of opportunities for kids to learn how to work as a team.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Quick Guide to Summer Camp for Kids

So you’re off to summer camp and you’re wondering what to expect. 

Even if you’ve made summer camp visits maybe you’re worried about being home sick, wondering if you’ll make friends or even a bit nervous about nighttime in the woods. 

Rest assured that summer camp staffs are experts at making kids feel at home in their new woodland environment right off the bat. 

Before you know it, that bunk-bed filled cabin will feel just like home and you’ll be mastering the mighty skills of Ga Ga ball and skimming over the lake in all kinds of water craft. 

Overnight summer camps are all about making school vacation the very best it can be; you’re lucky you’re going!

First Day Jitters

Whether your parents bring you or you take the bus, it can be a little overwhelming to arrive at camp. However, counselors will come to the rescue, shepherd you to your cabin, introduce your bunk mates, reassure your parents that you’ll be fine and hustle you off to any one of a variety of getting-to-know-you activities, camp tours and all sorts of fun that will quickly have you forgetting your first day jitters.

Waterfront Fun

Most likely, your camp will be situated on a lake and maybe have a heated pool for swimming lessons, which means you’ll be on, in and around the water a lot. At the beginning of camp, you’ll be tested to see where you belong in swimming lessons and any other activities that require a certain level of skill. After that, you’ll have scheduled lessons and activities that could include swimming, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and even the latest craze, wake surfing. Counselors and instructors will always be on hand to help promote a safe, fun environment.

Land-Based Adventures

When you’re not out on the water, there’ll be plenty of fun and games going on. Most camps have a high and low ropes course that let campers experience lots of team-building exercises and physical challenges. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, tent camping, rock climbing walls are among the amazing recreational activities you’ll experience at overnight summer camp.

Games Galore

From traditional camp games like dodge ball and color wars to regular sports like baseball, softball and basketball, you’ll play games galore at camp. Make new friends, develop friendly rivalries and maybe find a new sport you love.

Creative Streak

Yes, at camp you’ll get to tap into your creative side too. With activities like arts and crafts, pottery and woodworking shop, you’ll head home with a wealth of camp memorabilia and gifts for friends and family. Whip up a cool tied-dyed t-shirt, create a crafty mini-Ping Pong table or glaze pretty bowls; camp days can be endlessly creative. You may also find you love the performing arts when you venture into acting in a camp skit, leading the campfire sing-along or stepping out on the dance floor for a fun-filled night of square dancing. There’s something for everyone at overnight summer camp!

Campfire Sing-a-Longs

Day’s end is the best, when you gather with new friends, counselors and staff for traditional campfire activities. Listen to stories, sing traditional camp songs and listen to the special sounds of the woods as darkness falls after another exciting, unforgettable day at summer camp.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

First Aid Fundamentals During Summer

Photo Credits: Stuart Miles of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Summer is here, and along with the happy days of sand, sea, softball and soft ice cream you may encounter cuts, scrapes, bee stings, tick bites and heat stroke. 

Don’t let summer time bumps, bruises and bites get in the way of your good times; be prepared to treat your family quickly and efficiently. 

Everyone should have some basic knowledge of summertime first aid, and even kids in overnight summer camps are taught how to deal with warm weather emergencies. Following are some summer first aid basics.

The All-Important First Aid Kit

Always have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand, whether in the car, your beach bag or on the boat. Standard items like Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, over-the-counter pain relievers, tweezers, cold packs and calamine lotion are some important essentials.

Bee Stings

As long as you’re not allergic to bee venom, a bee sting is painful if basically harmless. Push out the stinger as soon as possible using a blunt-edged object, being careful not to squeeze any venom back into the area. Clean the stung area with soap and water and apply a cold compress. Afterward, relieve any remaining discomfort with a bit of calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Hives or difficulty breathing may indicate an allergic reaction and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Tick Bites

With the increasingly common incidence of Lyme disease, parents have become more vigilant about tick bites. Although only the tiny deer tick is thought to carry the disease, any tick should be immediately removed. If possible, avoid tick problems by dressing kids in long-sleeved shirts and long pants when they’re playing in the woods or tall grasses. Hot days call for insect repellent, and you should have a tick check at bath time every night, remembering to examine the scalp as well. To remove a tick, grasp lightly with tweezers near the head and pull it off gently, trying not to leave the head in the wound. Clean the area and apply an antiseptic cream.

Poison Ivy

If you think you’re youngster’s been exposed to the notorious plant Poison Ivy and that it may be the cause of miserable summer rashes, wash all exposed areas with soap and water as quickly as possible. As an extra precaution, pop your child into a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal to prevent spread of the plant’s rash-spreading oil, and be sure to wash all exposed clothing and sheets. Calamine can ease the itching, but call the doctor if the rash starts oozing or affected areas start swelling.

Jellyfish Stings

As the water gets warmer, jellyfish seem to multiply dramatically. If you have a run in with one these seaside stingers, soak the wound in vinegar water; this will help ease out the tentacles. Once tentacles are at the skin’s surface, gently scrape them off with a flat object like a credit card and rinse the affected area with salt water. If the jellyfish stingers are on the face or in the genital area, seek professional medical care.

Heat Stroke

Hot, sweaty, active kids don’t always remember to stay hydrated. Make sure your little one drinks lots of water and watch out for heat stroke symptoms like leg cramping, rapid pulse or hot, dry skin. In extreme heat stroke, sweating stops and the body can no longer cool itself off. A person affected with heat stroke can be cooled down by being immersed them in cool water, put cool wet cloth on the back of the neck and forehead while sipping on water, or  in a cool shower or wrapped in a damp, cool blanket.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

The Best Way to Scope Out an Overnight Summer Camp for Your Kid

When the time comes to pick a summer camp for your child, the choice may seem overwhelming. 

Overnight summer camps have sprung up all over the United States, and the mind-boggling array of choices range from traditional summer camps to those with a specialized focus, from one-week stays to summer-long experiences. 

How big of camp do you want? Do you want fancy amenities? Horseback riding? Single sex? Co-ed? Religious? Air conditioning? How much can you afford to pay? Most importantly, where do you think your child will have the best and happiest experience? There are various ways you can winnow down the choices for your youngster’s sleepaway camp experience.

Summer Camp Visits

Many parents choose to visit several camps and get a first-hand look at what lies behind the glossy brochure and pretty website. During tours or open house weekends, you can get a look at the facilities and a general feel for what a day at camp would be like. 

If possible, it’s best to go when camp is in session to get a better idea of the overall vibe of the camp, how well supervised the kids are and how they interact with each other and the counselors. Your youngster will also get a chance to chat with kids his own age about camp. Talk to your child after each visit to get an idea of his impression and level of enthusiasm; after all, this will be where he’ll be spending a big chunk of his summer!

Ask Questions

You’ll probably have a lot of questions for the camp staff. Ask what the camper retention figures are, what percentage of counselors return each summer and what percentage of counselors were once youth campers?  What can kids do at camp that they can’t do at home? 

For many parents, the hope will be that it will be unique experiences like canoe trips, multiday games and just “roughing it” without their usual plethora of techy gadgets. Ask what makes the camp unique and what sort of reunions takes place; this will give you an idea of the variety of friendships that are forged at the camp over the years.

Get Some Phone Numbers

If you can, it’s a great idea to get a few phone numbers to talk with others  about the camp; you may be able to get this information from the camp director. Talking person-to-person gives you a lot of first-hand knowledge about the camp, and many camps will be happy to give you some references. 

If you know of any local kids who attend summer camps that interest you, give their parents a call and get a truly unbiased opinion. Depending on whether the camp is popular in your area, your child may also have friends who attend, and these families can be a great source of information.

Google

Ah, Google; we use it for everything. Go on-line and check out reviews posted of camps on your list of potentials. 

Though you can take some comments with a grain of salt, you can get a pretty reliable overall view of kids’ and parents’ feelings about a particular camp by reading reviews. YouTube videos posted from camps are another good choice. You may find clips posted by the camp administration or by campers themselves.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Sleepaway Summer Camp Tour

Deciding on which of the hundreds of overnight summer camps is best for your youngster is a big decision. From camp fees to activities and camper-to-counselor ratio, there’s a lot for you and your future camper to consider, and one of the best ways to find the best fit for your child is to go on a few summer camp visits.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

How to Make Summer More Meaningful to Your Kids

How to Make Summer More Meaningful to Your Kids from Kay Frenzer-Zeeh

 If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Overnight Summer Camp Tour

Deciding on which of the hundreds of overnight summer camps is best for your youngster is a big decision. From camp fees to activities and camper-to-counselor ratio, there’s a lot for you and your future camper to consider, and one of the best ways to find the best fit for your child is to go on a few summer camp visits.

First Hand

Ideally, you’ll be able to visit when camp is in session. This will give you more than the standard tour of facilities, fields, waterfront, bunk houses and dining hall. It’s great to check out the layout of the place, but wandering through when other campers are there gives a far better feel for the overall vibe of the camp. Your youngster will get to meet kids his own age who attend and get a taste of the summer’s activities. Many camps hold camp fairs to meet with representatives and take a tour, while some hold prospective camper sleepover weekends.

Camp Ladies

If you find the whole decision a bit overwhelming, you can seek out the assistance of a camp consultant, a sort of recruiter who provides services free to parents and is paid by the camps themselves. These “camp ladies” can help you sort through the type of camp you’re interested in, distance, fees and the specific needs or interests of your child.

Life Changer

More than just the best sports facilities, canoes and overnight camping trips, choosing the right summer camp can actually be a life-changing experience for your child. Think about it this way: When you send your kid off to college, it’s for four years, while returning summers at camp can span more than twice that time. Life-long friends and cherished memories form during those magical summers; just look at the alumni sites and gatherings from summer camps! It’s like boarding school or college – only more fun!

Listen to Your Child

Go with your instincts and listen carefully to your child’s comments during or after a camp visit. After all, it’s your youngster who will be summering there, not you! Get to know the staff a little and ask what’s special about each camp.

The Legacy Connection

For parents who attended sleepaway camp as a child, the decision is often a no-brainer. If you have an attachment to your childhood camp, you may have brought your kids along with you to reunions and they may already be excited about attending.

Putting Your Mind at Ease

Many parents find that visiting camp with their kids ahead of time eases a lot of that separation anxiety (for you!) when kids are dropped off for one or two months out in the wilderness. Once you’ve met the director, the staff and some of the kids, you’ll have a much better feel for what the upcoming summer months would be like for your little camper. Ask as many questions as you want, and you’ll find most camp personnel more than helpful in addressing your concerns.

The Other Green Stuff

With some camp fees topping the price of college tuition twenty years ago, you’ll want to get the most bang – and fun – for your money, and summer camp visits can give you a first-hand look behind the glossy brochure and website photos. It’s only sensible to investigate any possible investment!

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Important Life Skills Summer Camp Teaches Kids

Summer sleepaway camp is mostly known for being just plain fun with friends in the great outdoors. However, along with all the swimming, canoeing, crafts and campfires, a lot of valuable life lessons are learned at camp, and kids will use these skills long after the end-of-camp song has been song.

Persistence

Campers at overnight summer camp learn that even the seemingly impossible can be achieved with persistence. Whether they’ve set a goal of swimming across the lake, making it across the suspended bridge on the high ropes course or designing and building the perfect mini Ping Pong table, kids get the right combination of help and support at camp to meet their goal - or at least come close!

Safe Risks

Kids get the chance to take risks in a safe, supportive environment. Maybe a youngster has always wanted to try acting, singing a solo or learning to wield a hammer and saw. Sure, there’s always a chance of failure, but it’s important throughout life to learn from your mistakes and keep trying.

Personal Achievement

The joy of personal achievement is a big gift of overnight summer camp. Away from parents, kids face challenges and beat them all on their own, savoring the joy of independence and personal victories. Maybe a child is a little afraid of the water and doesn’t really like swimming class or canoe trips, but they do it anyway, on their own or with help from friends and counselors. For kids who struggle with a tough mountain hike, dare to try out for the camp musical or overcome a bad bout of homesickness, that independent victory is sweet.

Living Cooperatively

Summer camp kids get used to living in a different community. For a lot of kids, camp is the first time they’ve had to share sleeping quarters, take care of their own things or even do their own laundry. So, they loads of get valuable life lessons in organization, respect for other’s property and maybe even laundry!

The Value of Teamwork

Kids at sleepaway camp learn to interact as a team rather than just individually. Everyone works together for the common good, whether pitching a tent at a camp-out, participating in a relay race or working to put on a campfire skit. With the increased emphasis on teamwork in the workplace, kids in summer camp are getting an early start on a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Love of Nature

For many kids, summer camp is the start of a lifelong love of nature. Particularly for campers who hail from the city, the world of the woods and the lake are like a foreign land, full of fascinating sights and intriguing nighttime noises. This connection to the natural world can lead to a lifelong respect for nature and interest in environmental protection.

Leadership

At school, the same kids may seem to be class leaders year after year, but at camp every kids gets to try on the leadership hat and many who never knew they had the chops find they do a great job at directing the camp skit, navigating a hike in the woods or organizing the completion of a special project. Camp gives everyone a chance to try on new roles, and some kids are delightfully surprised at what they can do when given a chance.

Value of Perseverance

Many parents give kids a little slack on getting a job done, settling for less than a best effort. At camp, however, counselors will encourage youngsters to try harder, make that final attempt that leads to success and find the inner exhilaration of completing a difficult task.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com. 

Checklist of a Happy Summer Camper

Are you planning to send your kids to summer camp? Sending kids out on a camping trip isn’t easy not just for the kids but also for parents. This is especially true if this is the first time that the kids are away from home.

If you’re looking to let your kids out to an outdoor camp for the summertime, you’re going to need a checklist. You need to know what things you need to pack as well as how to ease their apprehension or anxiety, if there’s any. But first, you need to assure them that this excursion will be fun and enjoyable. They will be meeting new friends there and do a lot of fun stuff.

To start off, simply go over their schedule of activities and events. Explain the items they are unsure about. You and your kids also might want to try out some of the featured activities. For example, if they are afraid to swim, you can build their confidence by bringing them to a swimming class that offers a crash course where they can learn the basics. There’s going to be campfire sing-a-longs too; you might want to teach them a couple of camping songs so they’ll be ready.

Most summertime campsite usually provide beddings or meals. But to be sure, it is best to ask the camp administrators in advance. For a regular week-long encampment, most children will need these following items in their backpack:

• Emergency contact information
• Sleeping bag and pillows (if they are not provided by the camp)
• Soap, shampoo, and other toiletry supplies
• Towel, swim gear, and raincoat
• Sunblock and bug protection spray
• Flashlight
• Medications and accompanying instructions
• Extra set of clothes like T-shirts, shorts, pants, undergarments, etc.
• Sweatshirt and pajamas
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Book or video game

For an added delight and surprise, slip in a handwritten note with a funny family photo, telling them to enjoy while they are out on their fun adventure. You could also pack some candies in their gear, which they can share with their new friends at the camp.

Don’t forget to send them off with a big hug with lots of excitement and hope. Your enthusiasm will rub off, making them more eager to go to summer camp.

Safety Checklist for Preschooler-Campers

For parents of preschoolers heading out for this summertime adventure, we understand your concern for their safety. If you are among these parents, to be appease your concerns, here’s a simple checklist as well just to be certain that your kids are well cared for while they’re out of the home.

Is there a playground in the camp? Do the kids have access to the pool or lake? Is there a medical personnel at the camp? Are they CPR-certified? Do they have adequate first-aid training? Is adult supervision adequate at the camp?

As they say, seeing is believing. If you have the time, make a visit to their camp site. For your peace of mind, you could ask the camp administrator to let you in and inspect the facilities. You can ask them what precautionary measure they have to ensure the children’s safety.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.