Iowa Parent and Family
Time for Camp

Don’t panic. Although you may not be packing yet, now is the time to start thinking about camp options for your kids. Not sure if your child is ready for camp? Wondering how early you need to find out about camp options? Where can you find other camping resources? Take a look at these steps to make any potential camping experience fun for your kids--and easier on you!

Step #1: Do Your Research Early

It’s a good idea to find out as much as you can about camp options that may be available early. It’s important to enroll early to avoid problems. Call now and ask to receive enrollment information. Ask if they have a web site and check it out. Once you have a feel for activities, supplies, availability, transportation issues and cost, you can determine what works best for your child and family.

If you’re not sure about camp options, check with your local YMCA, art center, church or synagogue, science center, scouting councils or park and recreation department determine camp opportunities. Be sure you get an enrollment confirmation and take it with you go to camp.

Step #2: Involve Your Child In The Process

One of the toughest decisions can be determining if your child is ready for camp. Although this depends on the child, it helps to involve your child in the process. Tell them you’re looking at camps and ask if they would like to help gather information.

If that seems too overwhelming for your child, gather the information and then discuss options. Select camps that sound like fun based on their age and interests (and your availability and finances). You shouldn’t push your child if they don’t seem ready, but you can encourage your child to stretch a little and try something new.

Step #3: Start Out Slow

One of the best things you can do if your child is new to a camping experience is to start out slow. Most camps have a wide variety of options available. Be sure younger children understand heading to camp doesn’t mean you’ll be dropping them off at the bus station to fend for themselves. (It’s funny what kids can picture when you say they’re off to “camp” in a few months).

Check out day camps or family camp options if you have a child who may feel a little uncomfortable staying overnight. Choose camp options that have brief overnight stays that are close to home. Kids can branch out from there once they become comfortable.

Step #4: Use The Buddy System

Although it takes some coordination, try to have your child experience camp with a friend as they’re starting out. This is a great arrangement for day camps because they can experience meeting new people, but will still know some kids from their school or neighborhood. This also works for overnight camps. (Be sure you coordinate with the camp office to make any request early. You should also send in registration information together to help with processing).

Step #5: Get Involved

Once you know what camp(s) your child will attend, find out how you can get involved. Whether you send letters, packages or come watch the final “talent show” the camp offers—it’s great for your child to see you getting involved and interested. Have grandparents or family share in the fun if they live close enough. If they don’t, get some videotape of the activities and share it with them later. However you choose to get involved, it will mean a lot to your child (even if they may not fully appreciate it until they’re older).

Step #6: Pack Early And Gather All Year

To avoid packing problems, be sure you have the supply list in advance. Have your child help lay out what they’ll need and be sure they limit items to essentials only (my daughter once wanted to take her entire CD collection). Collect travel size items (soap, shampoos, toothpaste, extra toothbrushes) throughout the year. (They’re also great for sleepovers or other trips). You can do the same thing with clothes. When your child has a t-shirt or shorts that are past their prime, consider keeping them in a “camp box” when old clothes are needed for adventures at camp.
Step #7: Communicate Once They Get Home

Remember to talk to your child about their camp experience. Find out what they enjoyed and challenges they experienced. Send your child to camp with a disposable camera (or several of them). Ask them to take pictures of their camp experiences and activities to share when they get home. Make a special scrapbook together or discuss camp experiences as you label the pictures. If the camp provides a follow-up survey (and it should), go through it with your child and discuss the questions.

Step #8: Other Resources

* www.ymca.net: Program information including day and overnight camps, educational programs and finding your local YMCA.
* www.gsusa.org: National Girl Scout site including camp and other scouting information.
* www.kidscamps.com: Directory of camps and summer experiences. Includes camp services and other camp categories.
* www.bsa.scouting.org: National Council of the Boy Scouts of America site that includes camp program, scouting links and finding local scouting resources.
* www.campchannel.com: Provides a directory of camps, a camp store, search engines for camps and other resources.
* www.google.com: This is a great search engine that helps sort through more than a billion pages of content on the web to find information.

Regardless of what type of camp option you choose, remember to have fun and encourage your kids to try something new. These tips will help make camping fun and easy for you and your child.