Camp Life

With so many camps to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your child. Consider making your decision by looking at summer camp as a unique and extraordinary opportunity for children to explore their skills and strengths, to challenge themselves with new discoveries.

For that to happen, it's most important that you not fall into the trap of choosing the camp that your child's friends are going to without doing your own homework. This is a common occurrence because many parents can be anxious and nervous about sending their child to a camp where they don't know anyone the same age, or don't have a school friend in the same camp cabin. In fact, it should be the opposite.

Parents should feel safe and confident in sending their child to a camp without a known friend or relative. Camp provides an amazing opportunity for children to engage their social skills and build a new web of friendships with their peers, counsellors and camp directors.

Most camps expect a great number of campers to arrive without knowing anyone and spend a significant amount of time training staff on how to unify the group within the first hour and help the children develop close friendships with their cabin mates. It is a wonderful experience for a child to step slightly outside their comfort zone and realize their own potential when it comes to making new friends.

Next time you doubt whether your child will be happy at camp without a previously known friend, give him or her the chance to prove themselves to you! Camps, like your child, are unique and different. There is a best camp for your child, and it is not necessarily the same one that his or her friends have chosen!

Making children feel welcome and among friends all summer long - Green Acres Day Camp