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.