Summer camp is a big step for kids to experience during their time off of school. The weeks away from home offers a new adventure to make friends, learn new skills, and build a sense of independence from as they learn more about themselves. There’s no doubt that kids will feel a mix of emotions including nervousness and excitement before they pack up and leave. As a close friend or family member, you can help get over their nerves by listening to how they feel and giving them some tips to talk to the new people they meet during their first day.
A Friendly Face
The first thing you can tell a child before they go to camp is to stay on their best behavior. Just like living at home, the camp has rules and activities that they are expected to cooperate with. Make sure they know that there will be many new things there for them to see and experience, including fresh faces to talk to. While not everyone has to be their friend, they should aim to treat everyone with kindness and respect whether they like them or not.
Another piece of advice is to tell them to practice their conversation skills. If they are nervous to meet someone new, they can start with wearing a smile and being a good listener. A great conversation starts with open ended questions and thoughtful responses. If the child doesn’t know what to say, a few examples they could ask their peer is what their favorite food is, what they like to do outside, or what they like best about camp so far. Getting the other person to open up about themselves helps build a connection which can hopefully lead to a great friend as time goes on.
Feeling Their Best
Putting their best food forward will also help with starting great conversations as well. You can help the child make a packing list of clothes and other items to bring for the variety of activities that will come their way. When you look good, you feel good, so they’ll feel confident knowing they’re bringing their favorite shirt or swimsuit to show off to their peers. That will definitely radiate through as they talk to the people around them.
Overall, reminding your child to keep a positive attitude and having realistic expectations about their conversations is also very important. As easy as it is to tell them that they’ll have nothing to worry about camp, it’s perfectly normal to feel lonely or down sometimes during the first few days when everything is so new. Some activities may be tough, and some children there may be unpleasant for them to be around. Having a conversation about their fears and helping them form an action plan to deal with them will make a world of a difference.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, summer camp should be an unforgettable experience and a chance for them to grow as an individual. With these tools you can help them prepare for making good conversations and friendships with the people around them. It’s in your power to help your child feel at home and ready to make memories that will last a life time!