Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/455311
18 Hudson Valley Parent
■
February 2015
dren the space to further explore and
develop a skill that interests them.
"Specialty camps tend to run par-
tial days and could be a nice addition
to regular day camps," Berkel says.
Transitioning to
overnight camps
Overnight camps can last any-
where from a few days to several
weeks and are generally offered for
children ages 7 and up. If you aren't
sure your child is ready, allow him
to spend the night at friends' houses
occasionally. Or, as Berkel suggests,
take advantage of a weekend family
camping opportunity, usually offered
in the fall and spring to familiarize
campers and their families with the
facilities and staff.
Avoid "Camp Run Amok"
Check out safety guidelines in the
camp's parent handbook.
Look for overnight camps accred-
ited by the American Camp Asso-
ciation (ACA). "ACA standards are
the most universal and well-known
standards adopted by most camps to
ensure a quality and safe program,"
Berkel says.
Day and specialty camps should
carry a current state childcare license.
Additionally, staff should be trained
in emergency, communication and
safety procedures, behavior manage-
ment techniques (including handling
the common bout of homesickness),
and child abuse prevention.
Conquer the camp blues
Preparation and an awareness of
what to expect can ease the tran-
sition from home to camp. Before
your child departs, go over a list
of everything she will need. Pack a
physical connection to home like a
favorite sleeping bag, stuffed animal
or pillow.
Also, mail a card ahead of time to
ensure it arrives before the end of
camp. Tell your child how you look
forward to hearing her camp stories,
but avoid saying how much you miss
her, which can trigger homesickness
and worry.
Initial nervousness isn't unusual.
If your child asks to come home,
consider the situation, but encour-
age him to discuss his anxieties with
the camp counselor and take it one
Avoid saying
how much you miss
them, which can
trigger homesickness
and worry.
HAPPY CAMPERS
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