Sending your youngster off for his first summer away at sleepaway camp is a huge event for many parents.

How will your little one ever survive without your protection and guidance?

The answer is, probably very well after a bit of initial homesickness.

Camp counselors are well trained in the art of making kids at ease with new friends and in unfamiliar surroundings

and while youve been suffering the pangs of parental anxiety at home your camper has been off swimming, sailing and giggling around the campfire.

Relax and make the big step easier for everyone by following a few helpful hints.

Start With a Sleepover

If your youngster hasnt spent overnight time away without you, schedule a sleepover with a good friend or with a relative he hasnt stayed with before.

This will get him a bit more comfortable with staying overnight in less familiar surroundings and also help you realize hell be fine away from home for a while.

Just dont pick him up if he calls in the middle of the night!

Make A List

Make a list of summer camp essentials with your new camper, making sure to include a few little luxuries (not too pricey) like the latest trendy socks.

It will make your youngster feel well prepared and also cool enough to fit in.

Once you know what you need, go shopping!

Kids love to spend your money and can have fun picking out things theyll be using on their new adventure.

One real ice-breaker on a hot day is a hand-held water misting fan, sure to draw in lots of new friends in sweaty weather.

Realistic Expectations

Have an honest talk with your new camper about expectations.

Most parents tell kids theyll love overnight summer camp, which is more than likely the truth, but its good to address the fact that there might be a bit of an adjustment.

Let her know some homesickness is perfectly normal and try to brainstorm some ways they might work around it, like staying extra-busy or talking to her cabin counselor.

If kids are expecting to be perfectly happy right off the bat, the first hint of longing for home may send them into a tailspin.

The Short Goodbye

Once youre at the big drop-off, make your goodbyes short and sweet.

You may be feeling teary-eyed and emotional, but keep your feelings in check until youre back in the car and on the way home.

While you may think a few tears will make your child feel loved, it may actually just serve to make him feel guilty about leaving you alone and miserable without him.

Give him a hug, tell him to have fun and above all, do NOT tell him youll come and get him if he doesnt like it

that just sets your camper up for taking the path of least resistance leaving if he feels homesick.

News from the Home Front

Kids at sleepaway camp love letters from home, and youll treasure their often entertaining epistles.

Hopefully, youve packed them some stationary, pens and self-addressed, stamped envelopes so they have no excuse not to write!

Letters should ask lots of questions (and not things like are you lonely? ) and make home seem pretty quiet and normal

its not the time to let them know in on news like a new puppy that may make home seem more exciting than camp.

Let them know youre glad they have the chance to have this amazing summer experience

but dont make them feel guilty by rattling on about how lonely the house is without them.

Remember, summer camp is an amazing experience for your child, offering incomparable opportunities for making friends

enjoying new experiences, growing emotionally and socially and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime.

And youll be just fine for a month or two without him!

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about

Camp Walt Whitman.

Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment

in a beautiful mountain setting.

Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls.

The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime.

www.campwalt.com

CAMP WALT WHITMAN1000 Cape Moonshine Rd

Piermont, NH 03779603-764-5521

cww@campwalt.com