Preparing Your Child for Camp
Written by Katelyn Skeen of JCC Denver
This will be my 16th summer at Ranch Camp. Yet, even after all this time, I still get butterflies in my stomach leading up to summer. Even as the Director, it’s hard to capture the magic of camp in words and articulate the uniqueness of every camper’s experience.
Yet, the energy is the same; it can be felt in the Ranch Camp office, heard in the voices of parents and caregivers during phone calls, and seen in the eyes of campers (even over Zoom). The anticipation is electric. Each day that passes has us wishing more and more that we could fast forward right into the first day of Summer 2024.
These weeks leading up to camp are perhaps the most important. During this time, our team is working to ensure that every moment at camp contributes to what will undoubtedly be the best summer ever. We’re hiring our final staff members, continuing to register campers, developing new staff training, and talking to parents and caregivers about how to prepare their children for camp.
However, these next weeks aren’t packed to the brim for our team, but also for campers and their families. We know that getting your child ready for camp (as well as mentally preparing yourself) is not always easy. I remember my mom spending weeks before camp helping me plan what I should pack then helping me label everything. Despite tearful goodbyes, my mom helped prepare me for camp by reminding me of the new friends I would make and by sharing in my anticipatory excitement.
As a caregiver, talking to your camper about what they can expect at camp is one of the best ways you can help them prepare. When your camper knows how excited you are to hear about their experiences and can feel how proud you are of them for going to camp, they are more likely to succeed, have fun, and come back for more.
For first time campers, viewing in person can ease their worries and give them something to look forward to. If you’d like a sneak peak of the summer, join us for our Open House on June 7! Hyping up your children’s counselors (who will be the coolest people in the world to your camper), showing them how to make their bed, fold their clothes, and pre-addressing letters to you will set them up for a smoother transition. No matter what age your camper is, please know – you aren’t alone in preparing for camp! Our team is here to give you resources and guidance every step of the way.
We absolutely cannot wait to welcome everyone with open arms and hearts when they cross our gate for Summer 2024; it will be here before you know it.
It’s not too late for a little bit of camp magic. We still have spots available for children in grades 2-4 and in Family Camp.
