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Helpful Advice For Parents

Watch for continuing additions to this page!

Helpful Advice for Parents

A quick review of the most important prep tips by Dr.Christopher Thurber:    
Help Give Your Camper a Successful Week
Summer Camp Prep Tips, Part I   
        
Summer Camp Prep Tips, Part II

​1. Don’t make a “pick-up deal.”
Promising “If you feel homesick, I’ll come and get you” undermines children’s confidence and dramatically intensifies homesickness.  Instead, normalize their anxiety, talk positively about camp, and view The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success. This DVD/CD set for new camper families lowers the intensity of first-year campers’ homesickness by 50%, on average.

2. Double-check the camper’s packing list.
Many seasons of experience have helped your child’s camp directors refine the packing list to include all the essentials. So, if it says “stick bug repellent,” don’t buy spray. If it says “no electronics,” then leave the Nintendo DS, PSP, iPod, and cell phone at home.

3. Spend practice time away from home.
Nothing builds confidence and teaches a child how to cope with time away from home better than…(you guessed it)…time away from home. That weekend at your folks’ house will do wonders for their adjustment.  Remember: No phone calls.  This is the time to practice writing letters!

4. Label everything.
It’s easy to lose things at camp, but if you want it back, it’s got to have your name on it.  Label everything from your t-shirts to your towels to your toothbrush.  Please, leave really expensive gear/clothes at home.  Most children lose something at camp, so check the lost-and-found on closing day.

5. Double-check the opening and closing dates and times.  Start camp off on a smooth note by arriving on time and on the right day.  Use a wall calendar in the months prior to opening day to make an exciting count-down to the big day.

Want to learn more?
Order The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success now.


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  • Home
  • Summer Staff
    • Summer Staff Welcome Packet
    • Summer Staff Application Form >
      • Summer Staff Personal Reference
    • Ambassador's Page
  • Summer Camps
    • Parent's Page
    • Gift Certificates
    • Jr. Day Trekkers
    • Tadpoles
    • Explorers
    • ChrisKids
    • Soccer Camp
    • Noah's SEALS
    • Pioneers
    • Night Flights
    • Adventure Quest
    • Choose your Camp Fee
    • Helpful Advice for Parents
  • Support
    • In Memory / In Honor Contributions >
      • 2020 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2019 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2018 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2017 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2016 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2015 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2014 Memorials / Honoraries
      • 2013 Memorials / Honoraries & Special Recognitions
    • Paul Bunyan
    • Camp Grands >
      • Camp Grands 09 -11
      • Camp Grands 12-14
      • Camp Grands 15-17
      • Camp Grands 18-20
    • Partners in Mission
  • Facilities & Rates
    • Tour of Facilities
    • Blessings Lodge >
      • Blessings Rates and Policies
    • Agape Hill >
      • Dining Hall
      • Agape Hill Cabins
      • Ritchie Retreat
      • Glovier Chapel
      • Agape Hill Rates and Policies
    • Swank Retreat >
      • Swank Retreat Rates
    • Ritchie Retreat >
      • Ritchie Retreat Rates
    • Adventure Sites
    • Noah's Ark
    • Picnic Pavilion
    • Family Camp Ground
    • Shower House
    • Facilities & Rates
  • Calendar of Events
  • Overlook Overview
  • Programs
    • Plan Your Own Retreat
    • Adult Programs >
      • Young at Heart Days (Seniors)
      • Friends Together (Developmentally Disabled)
      • Wounded Hearts / Healing Love
      • Overlook Videos & YouTube
      • UM Men Retreat
      • Emmaus and Fourth Day Renewal Retreats
    • Family Programs >
      • Memorial Day & Labor Day Family Camps
      • Walk to the Manger (free)
      • Christmas Banquet
    • Youth & Children Progams >
      • AGC
      • Confirmation Camp
      • Off Site Youth Adventures
      • Ski Hostel
  • About Us
    • Our Location
    • History
    • Our Mission
    • Our Staff