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BUT AM I?

by Meg Piechocki

Preparing your camper is an integral part of Summer Camp. Planning for time away from home, making new friends, trying new things, and teaching campers how to write a letter are must-do’s when your camper and you decide you’re ready for their first (or next) summer camp experience.

As the guardian, it can be equally important to prepare yourself as well.

I am a parent of an overnight camper and a summer program director  and my worlds collided the first summer my daughter was able to experience a week away at another camp. My camper was ready, but I sure was not!

Using my own experience as a camp parent, plus my years of running a camp program and being on the other end of the phone or email from parents and guardians, I have prepared the best tips and tricks!

 

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Understand the mission, vision, programming availability, and reviews of the camp. Consider their accreditation (Tecumseh is accredited by the American Camp Association), camper to counselor ratios, and safety considerations. The more confidence you feel in trusting the organization can help to lower the nerves when leaving your loved one in the care of someone else.

UNDERSTAND THE CAMP’S COMMUNICATION PLAN

No news is GREAT news! A key part of a camp experience is to help foster independence and resiliency in kids. Kids need space to do that. Parents need space too! Camp also understands that you know your camper best. If there is an issue or they need layers of additional support, at Tecumseh, we will call you!

DOES THE CAMP HAVE A SITE WHERE THEY UPLOAD PHOTOS?

Check out the fun photos of your camper, if applicable.

What is the point of the camp’s photos? At Tecumseh, we post for a number of reasons, but mainly so that parents, staff, alumni, and campers (once they’re home after their camp session) can see the fun and magic of the whole experience.

Use their photo philosophy or guidelines to set expectations for yourself of how often you might see photos of your camper (if at all). Remember – no news, is great news – even if you do not see your camper in a photo, or they’re in the distance not smiling, that is usually not an indicator that something is wrong.

PLAN AHEAD

Do you have all the logins to your camper’s devices in case you need it while they’re away? This might seem small and it can be incredibly helpful to eliminate the stress of urgently needing to connect with them while they’re at camp.

HAVE FUN & TRUST THE PROS

You’ve dedicated time, love, and care to set your camper up for success. The more they’re engaged in the activities, the more they will grow from their experience and from the groundwork you as the guardian have laid for them leading up to camp. You’ve raised or supported an incredible human and they get to share that now with their cabin mates. Now you get to enjoy the excitement of waiting to hear about your camper’s experience.

Trust that the camp professionals are facilitating safe and life-changing experience for your camper.

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Have questions about Overnight Camp? Contact Meg Piechocki.