Easy Way to Happiness

If you attended a summer camp as a child, you likely have fond memories of your time there — songs sung around the campfire, new friends and new experiences. Perhaps your daughter is approaching the age when you first went to camp, or perhaps she is expressing an interest in going away. Here are a few tips to help you assess whether or not your daughter is emotionally ready for an overnight or possibly even longer stay at a summer camp this year.

If she is at least seven years old, she is probably ready to go away to camp if:

1. She is comfortable spending time away from home. Has she slept over at grandma’s or a friend’s house before? If she was okay being away overnight, she will most likely be okay at camp. If she is less than excited about spending nights away from home, going with a sibling or a friend may make her more willing to give camp a try.

2. She can handle her own personal hygiene, make her bed, handle her own pocket money, keep track of her belongings and act in ways that will keep herself safe (with just a little adult guidance).

3. She can communicate with adults easily. Your daughter needs to be able to talk to her counselors if she has a problem. If this is extremely difficult for her, she may not be quite ready to go this year.

4. She follows instructions given by adults in charge and doesn’t constantly challenge everything. At camp, ignoring instructions can be a big safety problem and could result in injuring herself or others.

5. She can make friends and get along with other girls from diverse backgrounds. Making new friends (at least one or two) is one of the best parts of camp. Often, friendships forged during these times can last well into adulthood. An ability to be civil to girls she does not particularly like will also make her time away from home more pleasant for everyone.

6. She is willing to try new foods. At some point, food will probably be served that she finds unfamiliar or less than appealing, and she may not have other choices. If she is very picky about what she eats, it could be a difficult adjustment for her.

7. Outdoor activities like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and more should be reasonably appealing to her, and she should be prepared to put up with some bugs. Traditional camp activities are mostly out-of-doors, and bugs are a fact of outdoor life. (Of course, if she is attending a camp that is mostly indoors, like theater or computer camp, this won’t be an issue.) In any case, a willingness to try new activities and to stick to them even if she decides she doesn’t enjoy them will help her get more out of the experience.

8. She is okay with how far she will be from home. You should make sure she understands the distance and time involved for you to reach her in case of an emergency. If she seems worried, you may want to consider an option that is closer to home.

For many girls, their first time away from home at summer camp is a major step towards independence. It’s to be expected that the age at which girls are ready for camp varies from person to person. If your daughter meets the above criteria, she is likely prepared to have a wonderful summer camp experience — but if she isn’t quite ready, there’s always next year.

Searching for an extraordinary summer camp experience for your daughter? Located in Harrison, Maine, Fernwood Cove is a magical place where no two days are alike. Programs combine simple living in the out-of-doors with the warmth of community. Girls develop long lasting friendships while experiencing quality, skill-based activity instruction from caring, mature staff. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services