Explore the Many Wonders of Summer Camp

If you've ever been to summer camp, you know it can have profound benefits that still have relevance to you today as an adult and are something you would want for your kids.

However, if you've never experienced what it's like to be at a camp, you may not realize its positive benefits and how it can help mold your kids into a complete person.

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Your Summer Camp Essential Handbook

Summer Camp Essentials

It’s time to get your camper packed up and off to overnight summer camp and you’re overwhelmed with what to pack – or not to pack. While most camps will provide a list of summer camp essentials - as well as forbidden items – to families, it’s good to have your own list of must-haves in mind.

Swim Gear

Swimsuits are of course a necessity and more than one is advisable, since they’ll be in a constant state of being wet or damp from the super parade of activities in and on the water. A couple of beach towels and some flip-flops or water shoes are also advisable, along with goggles for kids who prefer eye protection under water.

Sunscreen

Not only should your youngster bring a sufficient supply of sunscreen, but should be drilled in applying it regularly; no one wants painful sunburn to interfere with summer camp good times. Get a water-proof product with an SPF of at least 30.

Bug Spray

With adventurous woodland hikes and plenty of after-dark activities like star-gazing and campfires, your youngster will have plenty of bug exposure. Mosquito bites are especially annoying, and kids will need to spray skin and clothes well before a night of ghost story telling around the campfire. Send along a spray made especially for kids that contains a minimum of the toxic active ingredient DEET.

Stationary

Pack your youngster to off camp with some stationary and self-addressed, stamped envelopes to encourage some good old-fashioned snail mail correspondence. You’ll treasure these often entertaining epistles from camp for years!

Journal

Bringing a personal notebook or journal to camp encourages your child to record the myriad of memories sleepaway camp offers. It’s fun to include pasted-in memorabilia and photos with associated narrative. Once kids are home and back to school, they’ll love browsing through pages of summer adventures. Be sure to send pens and pencils too!

Clothes for All Conditions

While it’s nice to think that camp will consist of nothing but sunny, hot days, the truth is often a bit different. Be sure to pack a raincoat or poncho so wet weather won’t interfere with outdoor fun, even if it’s only racing from the cabin to the activity center. Quick drying cool weather tops like fleeces are ideal for layering on evenings when the temps drop or for hiking in higher altitudes.

Sneakers

Yes, sandals are synonymous with hot weather, but sneakers are better for camp. After all, you can run, jump and play sports a lot better in sneakers and you’re less likely to trip. Send along a couple of pairs in case of wet or muddy conditions.

Flashlight

Flashlights are indispensable at sleepaway camp, whether it’s for reading under the covers, a spur-of-the-moment game of flashlight tag or a little innocent evening mischief at the neighboring cabin. Be sure to pack plenty of batteries. A super-cool variant on the flashlight would be night vision goggles!

Cheap Camera

Many camps don’t allow cell phones (and their associated cameras) and you won’t want to send your camper along with any expensive photographic equipment. However, an old digital camera or a bunch of cheap disposable cameras are excellent alternatives for chronicling a summer of fun. Kids love posting on Facebook and tagging summer friends; it’s a great way to keep in touch in the “off season”.

Labels

Make sure everything is labeled! From bathing suits to backpacks, water bottles and sweaters, labeling your camper’s gear can forestall a lot of problems.

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. 

Your Child's First Year at Overnight Summer Camp

Sending your youngster off for his first summer away at sleepaway camp is a huge event for many parents. How will your little one ever survive without your protection and guidance?

The answer is, probably very well after a bit of initial homesickness. Camp counselors are well trained in the art of making kids at ease with new friends and in unfamiliar surroundings, and while you've been suffering the pangs of paternal anxiety at home your camper has been off swimming, sailing and giggling around the campfire. Relax and make the big step easier for everyone by following a few helpful hints. Read more

Pros and Cons of Sending Your Child to Overnight Summer Camp

While Summer is a long way off, the time to think about Summer camp - especially sleepaway camp - is now. When thinking of this you must consider the various aspects, such as how your child will handle being away, the cost, and how you will handle the period of separation.

All of this can be broken down into sets of pros and cons.

Why you Should Send Your Child to Camp

When a child goes to an overnight Summer camp there is sense of independence he or she will learn or expand upon. It is great because the kids are in a safe and monitored environment where they learn to get along with new people and make decisions on their own.

In addition to this, it is also great for parents for the same reason. Many adults find themselves stuck in a mode where they center their plans (as they reasonably should) around their child. It is only years later when the child leaves home that mom and dad realize they don't know what to do with themselves if there aren't any games or practices, or times to be home.

some adults find that they can use the time to have a romantic evening or two, a weekend away, or they can even use it to throw themselves into a special project at work that can lead to a promotion.

Having said this, there are also reasons that Summer camp is not the best choice.

Why you Should Keep Your Child Home

Camp is an added expense to one's budget. For some, the cost is out of reach, making it an experience that really should be postponed until the funds are saved.

For children who are rigid or anxious, an overnight camp can be an experience that is contrary to most children's. For them, it might be best to test out camp by having them attend day camp first. Then, if the child wants to go away the following Summer, they can look forward to it rather than dread the idea.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

When you list out the reasons to do and not do something, it is wise to weight them in an order of most importance. For example, if camp being affordable is the #1 Pro/Con, then it needs to come before anything else. This includes how much the child wishes to go.

Having said this, if affordability is the main objection to going, then the child can be encouraged to earn the money. For example, there are plenty of leaves on the ground (and snow in some places). They can take home some money by working for neighbors and friends. For older kids who can hold more traditional jobs, they can apply to nearby businesses.

If the main objection is that one parent can't stand the idea of his or her child being away, then a compromise can be made in the length of time at camp.

There are many reasons that camp is great, and some reasons not to go. By addressing them properly, you can make the best decisions for your family.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer campwww.campwalt.com, 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.

Developing Your Child's Artistic Talents at Summer Camp

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Frequent opportunities to engage in artistic activity can help to instill confidence and achievement in children’s endeavors throughout their lives. An overnight summer camp is the perfect way to allow children to develop these artistic talents, as well as to help them build confidence in social activities in a fun environment without the distractions of their everyday life.

Finding Your Inner Artist

Some children take to doing art projects naturally and seem to have a number of ideas on their own. Other children are new to the task of manipulating art materials and may need a little help in the early stages, until they grow accustomed to this new method of self-expression. Camp art counselors can help these children to feel more comfortable with art materials. They offer instruction, encouragement and support throughout the project to help children attain a successful outcome.

What Children Learn From Art Activities at Sleepaway Camp

Child development experts say that art projects help children acquire a number of important skills for life:

• Creativity – The ability to find new ways to use materials helps to increase their creative thinking.
• Focus – Taking a project from beginning to end is a critical skill that children learn when doing art.
• Problem solving – As with any activity, problems may arise during an art project that must be worked out to allow completion. Counselors can children find solutions to problems to complete their tasks.
• Collaboration – Children may work on a project with others and learn the give-and-take that is inherent to group work.
• Perseverance – Taking the project from beginning to a successful end is an important skill for children to learn
• Receiving feedback on work – When doing art projects, children learn to accept the feedback from others, as well as suggestions for improvement. This is a valuable skill for any aspect of life.

Art in the Camp Environment

Skills such as drawing, painting, sculpting and working with a variety of media can help to increase visual acuity, composition, matching skills and color coordination. In addition, working with art materials can translate into a lasting appreciation of the artistic process and the ability to use these skills in their schoolwork for special projects in a variety of subjects. The natural setting can create increased opportunities to think creatively in a number of ways.

Using the Natural Environment For Art Projects

Being at camp offers opportunities for exploration not available in the conventional classrooms. Camp counselors may have children collect materials while on hikes to incorporate into their art projects. These children are encouraged to interact with the natural setting in a way that cannot be achieved in a school setting. As a result, the children are encouraged to think, touch and investigate their art materials in more expressive ways.

Advantages of Sleepaway Camp

When children attend a sleepaway camp, they become more self-sufficient and participate in a number of activities they may not have tried before. This atmosphere of adventure can help to facilitate creative expression in new way. This environment of self-reliance and openness to new experiences can help to increase the ability to express oneself creatively.

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.

Theater Arts at Summer Camp

From sing-alongs to skits, sleepaway camp is full of activities that help kids grow creatively. 

In fact, many of today's actors and singers first got bitten by the entertainment bug at overnight summer camp. 

Whether you like to sing, dance, write, create costumes or build scenery, theater arts has a part for you to play.

Traditional sleepaway camps blend theater into the daily routine of camp. 

After all, evenings around the campfire are best when a little entertainment is thrown in, often songs or skits created and performed by campers. If you’re on the shy side, you may prefer to be the writer or director, coming up with funny dialogue or figuring out how your actors can best present a send-up on a facet of camp life, current event or historical figure.

A skit may just be a short scene, but a lot can be involved. Campers may get to design costumes, ferret out props or use construction skills to come up with a set. If dancing is involved, the scene will need some basic chorography. Skits are the perfect venue for letting campers work as a creative unit, with each piece contributing to the whole.

While often comedic, camp productions may also involve learning or may have a moral message. They may deal with issues like homesickness, fear of the water or bullying. Whatever the theme of the production, actors get to experience the joy of entertaining an audience and hearing the happy sound of applause.

Many camps have a special theater arts program as an elective activity. If you’ve ever wondered if you’d be good at acting, singing or even directing, it may be a life-changing experience to take this chance to get involved in an actual production. You’ll learn about how to write, direct and act in a play, and perhaps even a bit about auditions and how to proceed if you decide to try out for parts in local or school theatrical productions after you get home from camp.

Theater arts productions may also be interconnected with other camp programs. Camp music participants may play an instrument or sing in a skit, while kids in the camp workshop may get to help design and build sets. It’s a great way to try out a whole new experience in a place where you’ll have the support of trained counselors and a whole new group of friends.

Putting on a skit or mini-production is a great team builder and kids really get to learn how to work with others, honing cooperative and leadership skills and building self-esteem. 

You’ll get to experience the organization required to pull off a successful performance and learn the importance of all the different facets from memorizing lines to being on-time for rehearsals. 

Kids trying out directing a skit will have the sometimes challenging and always interesting experience of working cooperatively with actors to best present the material.

Being involved in theatrical performances builds confidence, and camp is the perfect place to try out this new endeavor. You may be surprised to find you have a real flair for comedy, can write quick-witted dialogue or know just how to pace a scene to get the most laughs.

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.

Crafts Are Geared for Each Age and Skill Level at Sleepaway Summer Camp

Arts and crafts are a big hit at overnight summer camp, where youngsters get creative with everything from pottery wheels to sewing machines and skill saws.

Because of the wide range of ages and skills at most camps, arts and crafts programs are divided up into age groups with younger campers creating colorful collages, hand-sculpted pieces and fun crafts like sand candles, while older kids are often able to use more sophisticated artistic media and woodworking tools.

Whatever the age, arts and crafts activities at overnight sleepaway camp foster a spirit of camaraderie and creativity, with young artists excitedly chatting as they work on visual arts projects.

Crafts
Good old fashioned craft projects are a time-honored summer camp tradition, and many adults wistfully recall sitting around long picnic tables on sultry afternoons surrounded by loads of friends, paper, paint, glue, craft embellishments and laughter.

From friendship bracelets to wind chimes, God's eyes, tie-dye T-shirts and personalized tote bags, camp crafts often become treasured memorabilia of long, lively days on the lake.

Drawing and Painting
Kids of all ages love to create landscapes, portraits, caricatures and abstract works of art. Camp art classes use a variety of mediums including ink, colored pencils, water colors and acrylic paints. While younger kids may just enjoy some free form designs and basic color concepts, older campers may receive more advanced instruction in perspective, color and design.

Ceramics
Ceramics, from free-form clay designs to pottery wheel masterpieces, lends itself to all sorts of cool creations, from bowls to vases, animal sculptures, refrigerator magnets and nature tiles. Younger campers love to hand sculpt and paint everything from flower pots to name tags. Use of a pottery wheel is usually reserved for older campers who can better learn wheel throwing technique and use of glazes and stains, enabling them to design and create a wealth of projects including bowls, plates and mugs.

Jewelry
Not only is creating jewelry fun, but necklaces, bracelets and earrings make great gifts and wearable memorabilia of happy days at camp. Little kids love to string beads, put sparkle on just about everything and weave friendship bracelets, while more advanced skills may involve use of wire wrapping and more intricate aesthetic designs.

Woodworking
Today's tech-savvy kids seem to love the old-fashioned skills of wood working. When starting out, kids can make boats and toys by gluing Popsicle sticks together, then later learn such basic skills as measuring and cutting wood in a straight line or designing a simple project.

As they progress, campers learn how to safely use basic hand tools to design and create personalized projects ranging from chess sets to salad bowls, toys and birdhouses. Senior campers often get the opportunity to use power tools including band saws and drills to build more advanced projects

Art Show
Lots of sleepaway camps wind up a summer of amazing creativity with a camp-wide art show, giving kids the opportunity to show off a season's work to family and friends. You'll be amazed at the wonderful works of art your child has produced and delighted with the joy and excitement he or she has found in the creative process.

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 settings. 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.