Parent to Parent By Jodie Lynn
Moments for Mom By Elisabeth Corcoran
Ask A Twin Mommy By Cheryl Lage
Mothering By Heart By Cheri Fuller
Jelly Mom By Lisa Barker
Family Check-up By Sheila Wray Gregoire
Simplifying Motherhood By Trish Berg
Making the Most of Marriage By Paula Friedrichsen
The Benefits of Day Camps
By Jodie Lynn
www.ParentToParent.com
If you are considering a day camp for your child or children, use these pointers in making a successful adventure:
Talk to your child about what kind of a camp they are interested in and pick up brochures.
Ask the facility for references and call parents. This will provide you with firsthand parent to parent information.
Plan a visit. Even though it is only day camp, there is no reason you and your child cannot go to visit before it begins. Visiting the site can also give your child a jump-start with familiarizing his expectations of where it is located and how far it is from home.
Write down questions about camp policies. Ask specific questions that would directly affect your child. For example, if it is a mostly outside day camp, what will they do if it is too hot or if it rains? How many kids are in each group? Is the groups’ age appropriate? Are there water fountains available throughout the facility and in the outside areas? Will they notify you should your child become sick? Is there a nurse on hand during the regular hours of the camp?
Inquire if there are any extra materials or paraphernalia that your child will need before starting the camp. For example, is your child required to bring in their own supplies for specific sessions or does the camp provide everything that is needed?
Be sure to ask who runs the camp sessions. If it is mainly teens, your decision may need to be based on this. Some parents do not like the idea of every class being led by a teen. This also depends on what kind of a camp it is.
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Invite a friend. Let your child invite a friend to camp with them. Be sure it is someone you know that they get along with in these types of situations. Things are always easier to handle if a friend comes along.
Consider all of the different kinds of day camps before you make a decision. Some to consider are:
Academics
Art
Science
Environment Studies
Music
Sports
There are many camps that can fall under these main headings. Just remember, if you child says that he is not ready, skip it and maybe try again next year.
© Jodie Lynn, 2003-
Jodie Lynn is an award-winning internationally syndicated family/health columnist and radio personality. Her syndicated column Parent to Parent has been successful for over 10 years and appears in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and throughout the Internet. She is a regular contributor to several sites including eDiets.com, KeepKidsHealthy.com, ClubMom.com, BabyUniverse.com, CatholicMom.com, MainStreetMom.com and MommiesMagazine.com. Lynn has written four books and contributed to three others, one of which was on Oprah and has appeared on NBC in a three month parenting segment. Her latest books are Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) - Having, Doing and Surviving It All! (June 2006) and Syndication Secrets - What No One Will Tell You! (March 2006).
Please visit www.ParentToParent.com for details on her new radio talk show, Inside Parenting Success.
Read Jodie's Parent to Parent column at C'Moms