Campers and parents feel many emotions as they prepare for summer camp – excited, happy, curious! It is also normal and healthy for anxiety, nervousness, and other difficult feelings to arise. Discuss these feelings as a family. Learning more about your child’s feelings can be a powerful tool for helping them feel better about their transition to camp, especially if they have never attended an overnight camp.
What Not To Say
Many times parents reassure their child in ways that makes it harder for them to transition to camp. Please avoid telling your child the following things:
- “We can pick you up early if you don’t like camp.”
- “Just try camp for a few hours/day/week! If you don’t like it we’ll pick you up.”
- “I’ll give you a cell phone so you can call me any time.”
- “We’re going on vacation so you have to go to camp.”
What To Say
When talking to a child who is nervous about attending overnight camp it is important to stay positive, confident, and reassure them of your love and their safety at camp. The following are some helpful things to say:
- “We know how to contact Eden Village and Eden Village knows how to contact me.”
- “While you are at camp we will be at ______ and we will write to you regularly.”
- “I love you! I’m very excited and happy that you are going to Eden Village West.”
- “I know you’ll love many things about camp.”
- “It is ok to miss me, I’ll miss you too. But don’t miss out on activities because you miss me.”
- “At home we have only___ adults looking after you. At camp there are almost 60 adults around to make sure you’re safe, making friends, and having fun.
- "I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing activities, friends, and memories you’ll make this summer!"