Parents Letting Go

Going to camp is an exciting time in a child’s life and often a child’s first step towards self-

reliance.  Often times, parents experience nervousness about letting their child go to camp 

and navigate their way without them.

So, how can parents become more comfortable with their child going to camp?   Renee Flax, Camper Placement Specialist for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey offers parents some tips that will help ease their concerns. 

•           Talk to the camp director.  When you are choosing a camp, ask the camp director questions and get to know him or her.  Ask the director to describe the camp’s philosophy and how the staff implements it.  Make sure the philosophy reflects your own families’ value system.   Find out about the camp director’s background and the staff training.  Ask about the age of the counselors and what is the counselor to camper ratio?  Talking to the camp director and learning about the camp program will help parents feel more comfortable and will ease some nerves they may have.
•        Keep in mind that camp directors have your child’s best interests in mind and the skill to guide your child towards an appropriate level of independence. 
•          Remember that kids often get over the adjustment to new experiences and a new environment before parents get used to the next stage of development.  
•          Once your child is at camp, don’t focus too much on correspondence from camp in the first few days of camp. If you have a discouraging conversation or receive a less than enthusiastic letter from your child, remember that like any new experience, adjusting to camp may take a few days.   
•           Camp is a setting that allows your child to experience the real world in a safe environment. Kids learn quickly to rely upon themselves and the camp staff.   By sending your child to camp, you will be giving him or her the opportunity to grow more independent which builds self-esteem and confidence.