Making New Friends At Camp: Is It Easy?

The most special memories of summer camp are shared with new found friends. The friendship at camp is unique as kids relates to each other without the pressure of the parents or teachers. They have the freedom to choose who they can easily relate with from the hot days of swimming to sailing, craft creating activities, campfires and the cabin chitchats. For first time campers, parents often wonder if their kids can easily make friends. Of course, some variables should be considered in socializing with others such as how outgoing your child is. Here are some camp counselor advice on how to teach kids to easily relate with other children at summer camp.

Checking Out the Culture of an Overnight Summer Camp

So, your child will be taking the big step this summer to spending hot, happy months at sleepaway camp. There are of course many things to take into consideration when choosing an overnight camp, but perhaps one of the most important from the standpoint of each individual child is the overall culture of the camp. Is it more geared toward sports? Is it large or small? What kinds of kids tend to go? Will your youngster feel like he’ll fit in? Although there’s no way to guarantee a great camp experience, there are a few ways you can get a feel for the overall “vibe” of camp life.

Ask Around

Although you’ll have to take into consideration the source of any information, it’s a great idea to check with other parents of campers at a potential camp. Often, your child will have classmates or neighbors who have attended the camp, particularly if it’s not that far away. Of course one child’s idea of camp heaven may be quite different from another’s, but you can get an overall impression of camper/counselor interaction, how engaged kids are in camp activities, safety and supervision. If lots of parents report their child can’t wait until next summer, you’ve probably got a winner.

Traditional or Modern?

With the incredible amount of camps out there, you can choose anything from rustic lakeside retreats with few of the luxuries of home to upscale modern summer meccas with everything from Internet access to cell phone privileges. Clearly, the culture of a camp brimming with contemporary comforts will be far different from that of a traditional style sleepaway camp.

Peruse the Websites

Needless to say, every camp is putting its best foot - or hiking boot – forward on the Internet, but these websites are super places to get basics like camper/counselor ratio, camp size, amount of kids in each cabin, a typical day at camp, rules on communicating with home and amount of structure. If you feel your child would be lost in the crowds of a big camp and might do better with small groups, or if they might flounder with too much unstructured time, you can look for camps set up for smaller groups of campers and a more structured schedule of activities. See if you can find out the return rate of campers, summer after summer; it says a lot about the camp’s overall culture.

Take a Camp Tour

Pile the family in the car and take a summer camp tour the summer before your child will go to camp. This is where good planning comes in, as you’ll want to go while camp’s in session to get the best feel for the overall “vibe” of the place. Naturally, the tour guide will be showing all the high points, but try to see if your child can get a chance to chat with some of the campers. Look around. Do the kids seem happy and engaged in the activities? Are the counselors enthusiastic and involved? Are the facilities clean and well-maintained? Do waterfront activities in particular seem well supervised? Ask plenty of questions of camp staff; you’ll have your own unique concerns for your child. Once you’re back in the car, listen carefully to your child’s feelings about the camp, and don’t let your own enthusiasm or lack thereof influence his or her decision; she’ll be the one spending the summer there, not 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.

The Very Best Way for Kids to Spend the Summer

Summers should be an idyllic time in childhood when a child has the opportunity to stretch out of their comfort zone and reach their full potential. Yet, finding healthy ways to keep your kids engaged during the summer months can be one of the most challenging parenting tasks you face, especially if you work during the day. If you are tired of hearing those whines of boredom or listening to the constant drone of video games playing in the background, then here are just a few of the reasons why camp is the perfect way for your kids to spend their summer break.

Build Physical Strength and Stamina

Texting and video gaming do little more than work out your child’s thumbs, and all of that extra energy never gets dispersed. At camp, kids enjoy days that are packed with physical activity. Canoeing, wakeboarding, hiking and rock climbing are all just normal things for campers to do on a beautiful summer day. By the end of the summer, kids are not only stronger, but they also understand how to direct their energy toward positive activities that enable them to learn new skills.

Increase Independence and Confidence

Sure, going to camp for the first time is hard, and homesickness is a real thing. However, those nervous feelings usually only last for a short time, and kids feel a major sense of accomplishment after they complete their first week. As kids progress through the different levels of camp, they also gain confidence from helping younger campers adjust to the new routine. Additionally, spending a few weeks away from home helps children to enjoy greater independence while still being surrounded by a support network of friends and camp counselors.

Develop a Talent

Do you have a budding actor or perhaps an avid guitarist? These early childhood interests can often turn into lifelong hobbies and even careers when kids are given the tools they need to explore their strengths. The summer months offer a chance for kids to explore their interests while unimpeded by academic studies. For this reason, summer camps are full of programs dedicated to the arts. Putting on a play, performing with a band and making pottery are all creative endeavors that can allow your child to tap into a talent.

Form Lifelong Friendships

During the school year, kids spend the majority of the day with children from their neighborhood. While it is great to have local friends, going to camp can expand a child’s opportunities to appreciate diversity. Experiences such as learning how to work out differences with members of their Cabin Group and singing around the campfire help children to form long-lasting friendships with peers from all over the world.

When the school doors close for the summer, children look forward to several months of freedom. However, it is important to make sure those long summer days are filled with wholesome activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. Keeping your kids busy throughout the summer is easy with camp activities that encourage your kids to conquer challenges and build greater self-esteem.

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.