Parents Play a Vital Role in Camp

Picture
  1. As a parent, you are deciding to send your child to a new environment that is much different than home. There are no couches, no internet, plenty of exercise, and a ton of new people. Your child will need to have 10x more responsibility and keep themselves organized. This is what makes camp an important life experience.
  2. Sending your child to Oswegatchie for our 5 day summer camp prepares them for more life than you realize. Camp prepares them by offering new experiences, while putting safeguards into place.
  3. Why are parents so important in the camp experience? By helping your camper organize what they need for camp, you are preparing them to be physically ready. By mentally preparing your child to have a week away at camp,you set them up for success. Here are 3 things I would suggest. They are all part of the mental game of preparing your child to leave the safety of home.

  5. Make sure your child knows that its only 5 days and they can handle it.
  6. By not giving them an opportunity to come home mid-week, it forces them to develop the coping skills to excel away from home. This will pay off through the rest of life. (Especially college!)

​​Demonstrate trust in the camp. The Oswegatchie Camp is a busy place with 4 full time employees and 30 seasonal staff. By calling to talk to your child or telling them keep a "cell phone" with them, tells your child that others aren't to be trusted. Camp is meant to teach your child how to ask for help and to deal with new experiences. The staff is in place to help your child succeed. 


​When you say good bye on Sunday, do it firmly and positively. Don't burden your child with your fears. Kids already have enough worries on their own. By not projecting your own fears on your child, it allows them to flourish with less burden. As parents, especially with your first child, its normal to be nervous, but they will be OK and so will you. 12 Million youth attend camps every year, your child is going to be fine and will succeed!

Oswegatchie is going to create an amazing experience for your child. We thank you for trusting us with your child and the developmental milestones they will experience at camp. When you get them back, expect 2 things! Big smiles and a tired teenager!