How To Tell If Your Daughter Is Ready For Summer Camp
Is your daughter starting to ask you about the possibility of summer camp, or is she about the same age you were when you first went away to camp? If so, you likely are remembering the fun and adventure of your own times at camp, and hoping for your daughter to have similar experiences. But how can you tell if she is ready for an overnight or longer stay away from home this summer? Here are some tips to help you assess whether or not this is the year to introduce her to camp.
If she is at least seven years old, she is probably ready to go away to camp if:
1. She is comfortable spending time away from home. Has she slept over at grandma’s or a friend’s house before? If she was okay being away overnight, she will most likely be okay at camp. If she is less than excited about spending nights away from home, going with a sibling or a friend may make her more willing to give camp a try.
2. She can handle her own personal hygiene, make her bed, handle her own pocket money, keep track of her belongings and act in ways that will keep herself safe (with just a little adult guidance).
3. She can communicate with adults easily. Your daughter needs to be able to talk to her counselors if she has a problem. If this is extremely difficult for her, she may not be quite ready to go this year.
4. She can follow instructions given to her by counselors without challenging them at every turn. This is especially important when doing any of the activities where following directions is a matter of safety, such as swimming or hiking.
5. She can make friends and get along with other girls from diverse backgrounds. Making new friends (at least one or two) is one of the best parts of camp. Often, friendships forged during these times can last well into adulthood. An ability to be civil to girls she does not particularly like will also make her time away from home more pleasant for everyone.
6. She doesn’t refuse to eat foods that are new to her. She’ll probably be served food at some point that she is unfamiliar with or doesn’t find appealing, and there might not be anything else. If she won’t try new foods, it could be hard for her to adjust.
7. She would enjoy hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, swimming and other outdoor and group activities, and can handle being around bugs. Traditional camps are largely outdoors, and that will mean bugs no matter how much bug spray she uses. (At less traditional events where activities are mostly held indoors such as computer or theater camps, this is not a factor). In any case, she will get the most out of her experience if she is willing to try new activities and not give up on them even if she decides they aren’t her favorite.
8. You’ve explained the distance and time involved for you to reach her in an emergency, and she is okay with being that far from home. If she is concerned about being too far away, select an option that is closer.
For many girls, their first time away from home at summer camp is a major step towards independence. It’s to be expected that the age at which girls are ready for camp varies from person to person. If your daughter meets the above criteria, she is likely prepared to have a wonderful summer camp experience — but if she isn’t quite ready, there’s always next year.
Looking for an exceptional summer camp for your daughter? Located in Harrison, Maine, Fernwood Cove offers two separate 3 1/2 week programs that combine simple living in the out-of-doors with the warmth of community. Girls develop long lasting friendships while experiencing quality, skill-based activity instruction from caring, professional staff. SEO 2.0 Services