Parents
When reveille blows at summer camp the day begins. The days are long yet fly by very quickly. Camps know how to program the kids for the day to keep a great balance between structure and downtime. Parents can learn from this using these helpful tips:
-Get personal hygiene out of the way. Wake up, wash up, brush your teeth and get dressed. Starting your day clean and refreshed is important for yourself and the rest of your camp family.
-Eat on schedule. Meals are at scheduled times. Typical we eat breakfast by 8:15, Lunch at 12:30 and Dinner at 6:00 with three snacks in the day. Kids love the predictability of meal time and quickly get used to the routine of eating. Eating together as a cabin, bunk or family is part of the enjoyment. Make sure everyone is sitting for meals together to promote socialization. Don’t rush to clear the table. Meal time is a great for social connection and even some fun games.
-Clean up! Get the chores done in the morning before heading into the more active part of the day. Go back and make your bed, put clothing in a hamper and whatever chores you have been assigned. We make something called a job wheel at camp which helps rotate assignments so they don’t get too boring. Try blaming some clean up music so that everyone can dance and sing along.
-Morning Activities. At camp we break up the day into activity periods. Some activities the kids are assigned and some they get to choose. Take the school requirement and sprinkle in some options for the kids. Try some of the activities at happycamperlive.com like martial arts, guitar, singing, or dancing. We like to mix things up at camp. Kids trying activities for the first time helps them discover their passions.
-Eat Lunch. Lunch is the fun meal of the day. Eating outside, on the porch or in the grass in the backyard is a great way to get some fresh air and eat in a more relaxed setting.
-Rest Hour. Take a break. Not a recess run around and get your energy break but a chill relax nap or quietly read or play games break. This is the unstructured time that is so important for resetting.
-Afternoon Activity Periods. More activities in the afternoon also sprinkled with some choice. Perhaps trying a magic trick or learning how to play the ukulele.
-Shower Hour. Clean up and get ready for dinner. This makes it easier to settle down for the night when kids are tired or cranky.
-Dinner Time. Gather around the dinner table and bring some fun. Make some popsicle conversation starters, share the highs of the day, mix up the seats at the table.
-Evening Activities. At summer camp we plan for evening as much as the days. There is always something fun to do. Play a card game, sing some karaoke, or host a talent show. At happycamperlive.com we love when campers submit their talents to the world’s biggest campfire!
-Lights out. Choose a consistent time for lights out. Give your kids a flashlight and let them have 15 minutes or so of time to read a book or do some quiet writing or game in bed. Before long, your happy camper will be dozing off into a deep slumber.
Now it’s time for you. The duties never stop but our counselors make sure to use the time to refresh as well by reading, writing or chatting with their co-counselors. Parents take the time to do the same.
Camp provides a safe and healthy balance to help our campers stay happy all summer long. Taking these tips and applying them to your time at home with your children can be of great value.
Allison Corey Miller, Founder, Happy Camper Live
Tagged:-
Campers
If you’ve signed up your child for sleepaway camp, it’s time to start figuring out what you need to pack for summer camp. With a little preparation, packing for summer camp can be stress free. First, contact your summer camp director and ask if they have a recommended packing list. You don’t want to miss […]
Podcast
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work at a camp abroad? Bethany Wright, author of the camp blog Britinthesix, told us all about her experience working at summer camp abroad! Originally from England, Britney has worked at Camp Walden in Canada for 9 summers! Bethany found Camp Walden through an agency […]
Read More...
Podcast
Finding a place where kids can just be kids at camp is a goal of many camps, especially Happy Trails for Kids. In this MyCamp Podcast episode, we sat down with September and Nadia, who are both very passionate about the Happy Trails for Kids mission. In 2009, Happy Trails started their program for kids […]
Read More...
Activities
Have you ever wondered what it was like to work at a summer camp? I can tell you it’s like letting your inner child come back out to play, reliving the fun side of what it is like being a kid again. The adventure, memories, and the magic created at camp are like no other! […]
Read More...
Arts and crafts
Campers
Outdoor adventure
Science
Sports
STEM
If you’re still considering what your child’s summer plans look like, consider these five types of summer camps. Finding the summer camp that’s right for your child may take a little bit of research, but it’ll be worth it to give them a unique experience where they can continue learning, making friends, and having fun. […]
Read More...
Read More...
Read More...
Read More...
Read More...
Activities (124)
Arts and crafts (37)
Camp stories (10)
Camp traditions (17)
Campers (60)
Cooking (19)
Family activities (53)
Featured camps (11)
Gift Guides (5)
Music (6)
Outdoor adventure (19)
Parents (51)
Podcast (24)
School (8)
Science (6)
Sports (23)
STEM (3)
Water sports (1)