CHAPTER 3: KNOWING WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT
HOW WILL I KNOW?
Families have good intuitions about the right time for overnight camp. Ultimately, kids themselves are the best gauges of proper timing. When they show spontaneous interest in camp, that’s a good clue that the time is right. Sometimes, kids’ interest is sparked by a friend who has been to overnight
camp. Other times, kids become excited about overnight camp after seeing an attractive camp in a brochure or on television. Other kids have parents or grandparents who generate interest by describing their own childhood experiences. Some families may suggest camp as an option after noticing that their child is bored or restless during school vacations.
Kids listen to other kids when it comes to figuring out what’s fun. If you’re interested in sending your child to overnight camp, but you yourself never went to camp, find a veteran camper who is your child’s age. Perhaps the son or daughter of one of your co-workers or neighbors went to camp last year and enjoyed it. Arrange a time when your kids can get together and bring up the topic of overnight camp. That veteran camper will probably be better than you (or any other grown-up who’s never been to camp) at describing the experience.
What if your child doesn’t seem interested in camp, but you think it would be a good idea? First, find out the reason why she’s not interested. You might say, “You know, a lot of kids, like your friend Sarah, really love going to overnight camp. What do you think about going for a couple of weeks?” Your child’s answer will help you figure out whether her hesitation is about separating from home, doubting whether she’ll enjoy the activities, or feeling anxious about making new friends. Whatever the reason, you should address her concern, instead of simply encouraging her to go. (Or, worse yet, forcing her to go.) Having your child talk to a peer who went to camp and loved it is powerfully persuasive. Visiting a camp while it’s in session (with the camp’s permission, of course) is an even more effective way to help your child dispel any camp myths that are diminishing her enthusiasm. Whatever your approach, keep in mind that providing accurate information that teaches your child about camp is a great way to lower her anxiety and boost her enthusiasm. Remember, it’s got to be partly her decision, not just yours.
WHAT AGE IS BEST?
We recommend that children be at least 7 years old before spending a week or more at overnight camp. In general, younger children have more of a struggle adjusting to the separation from home than older children. However, there are many individual differences in children’s preferences, enthusiasm, maturity, and ability to tolerate separations. Therefore, your child might be slightly younger than 7 or substantially older than 7 before he feels comfortable going to overnight camp. There is no “right” age at which all children are ready for overnight camp.
Besides your child’s age, you should also consider both the age range and age distribution of the other campers. A camp may say that it enrolls children between 8 and 16, but if there are only two 8-year-olds out of several hundred campers, the camp is probably geared toward older kids. Find a camp where your child’s age cohort is well represented.
As you read through the following sections, keep in mind that you have the option to choose different camps throughout your son’s or daughter’s childhood and adolescence. Some kids start with an overnight camp that has short stays and is close to home, and then transition to a camp that has longer stays and is farther away. Other kids start with camp that has a broad, general program of activities, and then try a camp with a specialized program. Of course, there are also kids who begin at one camp and fall in love with it. Kids at these camps may start at age 7 or 8 and return every year until they are 15 or 16. It isn’t unusual for such campers to become cabin leaders or instructors at that same camp.
HOW WILL I KNOW?
Families have good intuitions about the right time for overnight camp. Ultimately, kids themselves are the best gauges of proper timing. When they show spontaneous interest in camp, that’s a good clue that the time is right. Sometimes, kids’ interest is sparked by a friend who has been to overnight
Kids listen to other kids when it comes to figuring out what’s fun. If you’re interested in sending your child to overnight camp, but you yourself never went to camp, find a veteran camper who is your child’s age. Perhaps the son or daughter of one of your co-workers or neighbors went to camp last year and enjoyed it. Arrange a time when your kids can get together and bring up the topic of overnight camp. That veteran camper will probably be better than you (or any other grown-up who’s never been to camp) at describing the experience.
What if your child doesn’t seem interested in camp, but you think it would be a good idea? First, find out the reason why she’s not interested. You might say, “You know, a lot of kids, like your friend Sarah, really love going to overnight camp. What do you think about going for a couple of weeks?” Your child’s answer will help you figure out whether her hesitation is about separating from home, doubting whether she’ll enjoy the activities, or feeling anxious about making new friends. Whatever the reason, you should address her concern, instead of simply encouraging her to go. (Or, worse yet, forcing her to go.) Having your child talk to a peer who went to camp and loved it is powerfully persuasive. Visiting a camp while it’s in session (with the camp’s permission, of course) is an even more effective way to help your child dispel any camp myths that are diminishing her enthusiasm. Whatever your approach, keep in mind that providing accurate information that teaches your child about camp is a great way to lower her anxiety and boost her enthusiasm. Remember, it’s got to be partly her decision, not just yours.
WHAT AGE IS BEST?
We recommend that children be at least 7 years old before spending a week or more at overnight camp. In general, younger children have more of a struggle adjusting to the separation from home than older children. However, there are many individual differences in children’s preferences, enthusiasm, maturity, and ability to tolerate separations. Therefore, your child might be slightly younger than 7 or substantially older than 7 before he feels comfortable going to overnight camp. There is no “right” age at which all children are ready for overnight camp.
Besides your child’s age, you should also consider both the age range and age distribution of the other campers. A camp may say that it enrolls children between 8 and 16, but if there are only two 8-year-olds out of several hundred campers, the camp is probably geared toward older kids. Find a camp where your child’s age cohort is well represented.
As you read through the following sections, keep in mind that you have the option to choose different camps throughout your son’s or daughter’s childhood and adolescence. Some kids start with an overnight camp that has short stays and is close to home, and then transition to a camp that has longer stays and is farther away. Other kids start with camp that has a broad, general program of activities, and then try a camp with a specialized program. Of course, there are also kids who begin at one camp and fall in love with it. Kids at these camps may start at age 7 or 8 and return every year until they are 15 or 16. It isn’t unusual for such campers to become cabin leaders or instructors at that same camp.
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