More than just a place to spend summer vacations, summer camp is a fun place where a child can learn to be more independent, create new friendships and develop new skills. Summer camps are also credited for fostering a sense of teamwork in children and teaching children how to appreciate nature and outdoor sports ? especially in a generation where fun usually means playing computer games or surfing the internet.
Summer camps usually last for two to four weeks, depending on the camp activities. From choosing the perfect camp to packing your child's gear for camp, parents have a major role in ensuring a successful and memorable camp experience for their children. And as in most things in life, preparation is key ? especially in packing your child's gear. Here are some useful tips and pointers to remember before sending your kids to camp.
First step would be to create a packing list. Summer camps usually send a recommended list of packing essentials. Make sure that you include all the things on this official list in your kids? gear. They are there for a reason.
Pack early. Start shopping for camp essentials as soon as you get the recommended list of things to bring from the camp. Procrastination won't do you any good. Packing several days (or even weeks, if possible) will help you avoid stressful last minute shopping trips. It will also save you the trouble of scrambling to find his/her favorite shirt and jammies at the last minute.
Don't forget to pack appropriate medications. While most camps have clinics and first aid stations, it is still very important to pack your child's prescribed medications. It is also best practice to include the phone/contact number of the physician in case the prescription is lost and needs to be refilled by the camp staff.
Pack an extra pillow case. Despite reminders from camp staff that the facility has sufficient pillow cases, it might be best to pack an extra pillow case. Most camp kids complain that pillows and cases provided by the camp are notoriously grungy. Also, it is more hygienic for your kids to use their own pillow cases, at the very least.
Pack an appropriate number of clothes, keeping in mind the duration of the camp. In general, laundry is done once a week in camps. Make sure that your child will have enough shirts, jeans, underwear, pajamas and other clothing essentials even if laundry is done only once every week. There is no hard and fast rule for number of clothes to pack as the need and quantity would largely depend on the camp's location but to be on the safe side, this list might be helpful in planning your kids? wardrobe: Clothing
8-10 t-shirts 5-6 pairs of shorts 3-4 sweatshirts 2-3 pairs of sweat pants 2 pairs of jeans 1 warm jacket 1 raincoat 3-5 swimsuits 12 pairs of underpants 12 pairs of socks 2-3 pairs of pajamas 1 sunhat 1 bathrobe A list of miscellaneous stuff can include: Flashlight and batteries Bug repellent Sunscreen Laundry Bag Rain gear Baseball hat Shower Pail Toiletries Stationary and postage stamps
Other quick reminders when packing: o Mark everything ? each piece of clothing, books, toys ? with your child's name o Include a list of emergency phone numbers and email addresses o Disposable flashlights will always come in handy, regardless of camp location o Pack several pre-addressed postcards with postage so as to encourage your child to write
For many years at SuperCamp, parents would ask us if we could start a program for them, to help them learn what their sons and daughters are learning at SuperCamp. In response, we started Parent Weekend an intensive three-day parent program that coincides with the final three days of a 10-day Junior Forum or Senior Forum student programs at the same location. The parents who attend love it, including graduating with their children on the final day.
In addition to exposing parents to many of the learning and life skills their sons and daughters discover at SuperCamp, we also talk with parents about how they can support their children at home. Here are nine great tips we share with parents of Senior Forum students, also known as "teens":
*Listen, really listen. Don't try to listen while doing something else. Put your chores aside so your teen knows you are paying attention.
*Take the long view. Remember, minor mishaps aren't major catastrophes. All incidents provide opportunities to practice good communication. Often, categorizing incidents according to their importance will help keep responses and consequences appropriate. Choose only the most important issues to evoke the strongest consequences.
*Make time for being together. Find activities you enjoy doing together and pursue them. If your invitation gets turned down, keep trying!
*Tolerate differences. View your teenager as an individual distinct from you. However, this doesn't mean you can't state your opinion if you disagree.
* Respect your teen's privacy. Just because he/she wants to keep their door locked, doesn't mean he/she is doing anything you wouldn't approve of. But, if a behavior is worrying you, speak up!
*State facts instead of opinions when you praise or discuss problems. Ask your teen to demonstrate "Open the Front Door" - a communication tool we use at SuperCamp. O - is an objective observation about the situation. T - is a thought or opinion about what you observed. F - is a feeling you had about what you observed. D - is what you want, your desire or outcome of the situation. Practicing this together is great for keeping the doors open!
*Ask your teen about his/her learning style. Knowing there are differences goes a long way toward explaining why we have problems understanding and communicating with some people and not with others. When you know what cues he/she picks up on most easily (visual, auditory or kinesthetic), you can take steps to help him/her learn faster and more easily.
*Support a positive attitude about learning. Create a positive study environment that includes appropriate reference materials, music and reminders that he/she is intelligent (like old report cards, awards, notes from teachers...). It is also helpful to demonstrate your own positive feelings about learning.
*Celebrate success! Positive feedback goes a long way to encourage repeat behavior. Each accomplishment by a family member deserves acknowledgement, whether verbal or by means of a special treat, like a trip to the movies, a special dessert, or posting on the bulletin board.
By practicing these nine techniques, parents will help build a better bond with their sons and daughters, improve communication, and ultimately be a part of their teens' success.
Both Julienewman76 & Jim Hartley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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