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.

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.