Going to sleepaway camp is a big step for your child…it’s a time when they’ll need to fend for themselves and make decisions without you there daily.
But–just because you’re not there with them doesn’t mean you can’t empower them before they go. These questions and tips will help them get the most out of camp and make it into the true growth experience it has the potential to be.
Important pointers to share with your child before they go to sleepaway camp:
Identify an adult that you will go to with any concerns or issues
Be a Leader, not a follower. Do what you know is right.
Being Kind trumps being cool.
Be Positive! Find something nice to say or skip it…Don’t say: It’s so stupid or it’s so boring, camp food stinks, the head counselor is so mean….
Be Reliable–keep your word.
Be Loyal–Don’t forget your old friends in the excitement of finding new friends.
Be Inclusive–Don’t purposefully leave other kids out.
Trust Your Instincts–If something doesn’t feel or seem right it isn’t, listen to your inner voice.
Respect Other Kids’ Space and Property–Ask permission before using stuff or sitting on another kid’s bed.
Accept a No–Don’t be a nudge. If you ask twice, that’s enough. Let it go.
Be Part of the Group–Don’t sit things out even if you’d rather not do the game, activity etc.
Give Things Your Best Shot. It’s ok not to win. Have fun.
Mean Kids Have Issues–It’s not you.
Be on Time. Don’t be the last one so that your whole bunk is waiting for you.
Evaluate Problems–Don’t tattle on other kids for minor infractions (exception if it’s a safety/danger issue); encourage them to say if something wrong has been done
Safety–Don’t go off with one other kid or staff into a secluded area.
Review unwanted touching.
Careful with Your Own Tznius. Avoid looking at what shouldn’t be seen/or avoid being influenced if other kids are less careful than you.
Remember Who You Are and Where You Come from–Be true to our family’s values and Hashkafos. Make Hashem, your parents, and yourself proud of you!
Great post! Thank you!
This has a bunch of great advice. I just don’t agree with “Be a leader not a follower”. There’s nothing wrong with a kid being a follower, if that’s their nature and they find good people to follow let them follow. The world needs followers just as much as it needs leaders. They should be careful who and what they’re following but in general to follow is not a bad thing.
I don’t think she meant that you have to be a “leader”. From what I take is that you don’t always have to copy the cool kids or the trends, you on your own can decide what’s right and let other people follow you!
I just had this kind of experience with my daughter, friends all made up that they are going to someone elses pool but not fully clothed, they’ll just take along a towel and wrap uncovered parts. I told my daughter you are going to go with a full terry two piece because it’s not allowed for girls to walk out in public like that. After she was ready to go she went to get one of her friends and she was able to see that she had been crying. The mother thanked me the next day for telling my daughter to do what is right and not just to follow what ppl say to do. Her daughter was crying that she didn’t want to be the only one going covered but when she saw my daughter covered she was more than happy to do the same.
where’s the part about the kid maintaining his/her personal hygiene? don’t wait for the counselor to throw you into the shower. take one by yourself every day. cut your nails before shabbos. make sure your clothes (that you CHANGE daily) make it into the bunk laundry. no one likes the filthy kid.
Excellent point. I think this was focussing on interpersonal relationships. A post on more practical things would be good too. Yes personal hygiene, incl deodorant. How to do laundry, or separate laundry, how to hand wash some things. How to change b’tzinus. How to make a bed. To hang up wet things so they dont get mouldy. Keep track of personal belongings (no Mommy to nag you or pick them up or find them for you). Etc
this is the basis for interpersonal relationships. you can be as nice and as positive as you want, but won’t help if you’re gross. or weird. these camp posts are taking me back to all the issues i remember from when i was a camper.