Camp experience can be one of the most profound experiences a child that would play an important role in the development of the child. Children who attend camps become independent, develop social skills, are willing to try new things and become more confident. They learn to share space and cooperate with other children.
Most children are excited on going for a camp with their friends, but there are some who feel scared and are nervous, especially if they are going for the first time. It is essential for parents to prepare the children to attend a camp.
Your kids will be really happy on hearing the name of summer camp. On viewing them happy, even you are happy. But, you might lack ideas to provide them with full enjoyment of the camp. This article will give you a list of ideas and tips on the same. Do not discourage your kids when they are going for a summer camp. If you are worry about their safety, you can accompany him till the gate of the summer camp. Allow your kids with full freedom within the summer camp.
Best camping tips for kids
Camp prep process
Young children must be allowed to stay away from home with relatives or friends or attend a day camp before attending a night camp. Nervous kids must be taken by the parents to the camp area for a short time. They must be told about the activities and fun that they can have in the camp. This will make them familiar to the area and give them the chance to see how other kids from their class are enjoying the camp.
Checklists for camp
Parents should help their child to pack the things that are listed by the camp organizers. They must be given some money in an envelope which can be handed to the camp in-charge and taken by the child when required. Valuable items should not be given to the child, but candy and sweets are what they would enjoy with their friends.
Pre-camp preparation of the child
The child must be prepared to get a happy camp experience by telling him that home sickness is normal. They must learn to find their own ways that would give them strength to get through emotional times especially during meal and sleep timings. Ask the child to keep himself engaged in different activities and spend time sharing his home experiences with other children. Encourage the child to write the daily happenings in the camp in the diary which he can come and share back at home after his return from the camp. Kids must be asked to spent more time in nature and enjoy the beauty of nature in the new surroundings of the camp. The child must be taught to keep all his belongings near him and make a space of his own in the camp, which will give him a feeling of the home. He must devote some time reading a favorite book of his own.
Some kids need time to adjust
Parents should not become panicky if the child is not happy at the start of the camp. Sometimes a rocky start may lead to beautiful experience. Encourage the child to mix with other children and take part in all the activities organised in the camp. Parents must not speak to the kids while they are on the camp as this may make them emotional.
Message from home
If a child goes for a long camp, he would love to get mail or message from home. Parents must make them feel that all is well at home. Bad news like a toy is broken or a goldfish is dead should be avoided and amazing news like grandfather has sent a pet dog must be given to the child. Parents should not reveal their sentiments of loneliness to the child. This will make the child feel guilty. The best message is to keep asking him questions about his camp. Even the kids will be really excited to hear about the message from home about their parents which gives them an extra boost.
Avoid a tearful goodbye
Kids going for a camp should never be given a tearful goodbye. It is true that it is more difficult for parents to see the child going than the children. Parents need to pull themselves together and be strong while escorting the child to the camp or to the place from where they leave with others to the camp. They must remember that the camp is a great learning opportunity for the child. It is not necessary that he will face problems. The advice and training given to the child by the parents will definitely keep the child happy and make him enjoy every bit of the camp activities. On the other hand there are responsible adults in the camp to look after the kids in the camp. Hence parents must not worry about children in the camp and look for their return which would be full of excitement.
Start packing for camp
Being parents you must encourage your child for camping. Also the preparation procedure of the camping will be confined to you. The first step to make your kid happy with camping will be the packing. You need to list about all important things which your kids would need while traveling and staying in camp for few days. It is must that you provide a medical box within the packing of your kids.
Make kids emotionally strong
Some kids may not be really comfortable to go out and stay without their parents around. This is the time when you need to be an inspiration to your kid. You must boost the confidence of your child with your words and affection so that your kids are not afraid to stay in an overnight camp. This will easily increase the confidence level of your child in a long run.
Train your kid for camping
You need to train your kid and make him prepare in such a way that he does everything right within the camp. Since there will be a lots of competition within the gaming schedule, your kids must accept the challenges in this situation. This is the time for you to motivate your kid in such a way that no other child can beat him. You must give a sound boost to his confidence level. Once he is trained for camping, you too will be really confident about your kid. Make the preparation in such a way that even your kid will be able to teach other kids.
