Success at Summer Camp by Sara Hofmann, Ph.D.

For many families, summer break is a great chance to shake up the family routine by adding a day camp or sleepaway camp experience. For some kids, this change is seamless- but for others, the change in activity requires a little extra support to ensure that your child has the best experience possible! Here are some tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.
 

1. Sign up with a friend. It’s likely that your child will make lots of new friends at camp, but including a friend from the start may help your child adjust more quickly to the new environment.
2. Follow the child’s interests. Parents often have fond memories of their own camp experiences and want to create something similar for their child. If your child also loves tennis or chemistry, this can be a great way to share a passion. If your child is more excited about a different activity though, work with your child to find a camp that will cater to his or her unique area of interest.
3. Ensure the camp can accommodate your child. Many children have specific needs related to diet, accessibility, medication regimens, or other concerns. Before enrolling your child, speak with staff to ensure that they understand your child’s requirements and can accommodate those needs for the entire duration of the program without diminishing the camp experience.
4. Review skills for success. Both before and during camp, help your child to review skills they’ll need to be successful at camp. For sport-based camps, work with your child to run through foundational skills before the start of camp and practice new skills with them during camp to cement muscle memory. For sleepaway camp, talk through hygiene routines, organization of belongings, and any other pieces the child is worried about. A solid plan is essential for reducing anxiety and maximizing openness and fun!
5. Make it fun! Summer can be a great time to help children get caught up (or even get a little ahead) in academic areas- but don’t forget about the other, relaxed side of summer. Non-academic skills such as imaginative play, spontaneous problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership will improve during unstructured fun time at camp. These should also be an integral part of summer! 

 
For more information:
http://www.seacoastkidscalendar.com/
www.tampabayparenting.com

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