Camp Birchmont

Pierce Camp Birchmont

Tag Archives: child development

Week 2 Highlights

Anxiety About Sleeping Away At Camp? Here’s What We Can Do.

Written by Camp Birchmont - Posted March 26, 2023

It’s common for children to feel anxious or nervous about sleeping away at camp, especially if it’s their first time. Sometimes these feelings or expressions of anxiety don’t crop up until the start of camp draws closer.  Here are some things you can do to help alleviate anxiety and prepare your child for the experience:

Talk about it: Discuss the experience with your child beforehand, including what to expect, what they’re looking forward to, and any concerns or fears they may have. Encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings openly.

Practice separation: Practice separation by arranging sleepovers with family or friends beforehand. This can help your child get used to being away from home and build confidence in their ability to cope with new situations.

Involve your child in the packing process: Involve your child in the packing process, and make sure they have all necessary items and comforts from home, such as a favorite stuffed animal or pillow.

Communication: Let your camper know they can write you letters and that you will be writing to them too.  Make sure they know they can always talk with camp staff or the camp director if they ever need anything or are having a hard time. Make sure they knowing that they will have a phone call with you after the first week of camp.  Knowing this communication with home is on the horizon will help ease anxiety and get the camper to focus on the camp experience in the first few days of camp instead of focusing on calling home right away or talking to a parent at the first sign of homesickness.

Create a coping strategy: Work with your child to create a coping strategy for managing anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises or visualizing a peaceful place. Encourage your child to use this strategy if they feel overwhelmed or anxious.

Trust the staff: Most importantly, the camp staff is trained to handle a variety of situations and ensure the safety and well-being of campers including normal feelings of anxiety when being away from home for the first time. Trust that they will take care of your child and address any concerns or issues that arise and make sure your child knows they can always approach camp staff to help them too.

Stay positive and encouraging: Remind your child that sleepaway camp will be a fun and exciting experience and that they are capable of handling new situations and challenges. Stay positive and encouraging, and express confidence in their ability to thrive at camp.

Overall, it’s important to be supportive and understanding of your child’s feelings about sleeping away at camp. By preparing them for the experience, and fostering a positive attitude, you can help alleviate anxiety and ensure a positive and rewarding experience for your child.

Value-of-Summer-Camp

What Is The Best Age To Go To Overnight Camp?

Written by Camp Birchmont - Posted February 22, 2023

The best age to go to overnight camp depends on the individual child and their maturity level, interests, and comfort level with being away from home. However, many overnight camps typically accept children between the ages of 7 and 15. Here are some things to consider when determining the best age for your child to attend overnight camp:

Readiness for being away from home: Children who have previously attended sleepovers or been away from home for short periods of time may be more comfortable with the idea of overnight camp than those who have not. It’s important to consider your child’s comfort level with being away from home for an extended period of time and their ability to cope with homesickness.

Ability to follow rules and routines: Overnight camps have rules and routines that campers are expected to follow, such as set meal times and bedtimes, and regulations around personal conduct and behavior. Children who are able to follow rules and routines and understand the importance of respecting others may be better suited for overnight camp.

Interest in the camp’s activities: Overnight camps offer a wide variety of activities, from sports and outdoor adventure to arts and crafts and performing arts. It’s important to consider your child’s interests and whether the camp’s activities align with those interests. Children who are enthusiastic about the camp’s activities may be more likely to enjoy their time at camp and build strong relationships with their peers.

Maturity level: Some children may be more mature than others at a certain age, and it’s important to consider your child’s emotional maturity and ability to handle social situations, conflicts, and responsibility. A child who is mature for their age may be better suited for overnight camp than a child who is still developing these skills.

Overall, the best age to go to overnight camp varies from child to child, and it’s important to consider each child’s individual needs and interests when making the decision. It can be helpful to involve your child in the decision-making process and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about attending overnight camp.

Ready??! Request information about overnight camp here.

Spirit Day 2014

Why Should I Send My Child to a Co-Ed Overnight Camp This Summer?

Written by Camp Birchmont - Posted October 5, 2022

Co-ed camps offer a comfortable family atmosphere that is simply not attainable at unisex camps, or separate camps which bill themselves as Brother/Sister camps to attract siblings.

Birchmont activities are both single sex and co-ed depending on the activity: While Birchmont’s athletics are not co-ed, we do host a range of special events, activities, trips and meals which are co-ed. Our campers share the facilities, and pass each other throughout their day, emphasizing an “at-ease” atmosphere rather than stressing the absence of a particular gender.

Promotes healthy relationships: Co-ed overnight camps provide a unique opportunity for children to interact with peers of the opposite gender in a safe and supportive environment. This can help them develop healthy relationships and learn how to communicate and collaborate with others.

Strengthens family bonds: Many siblings and cousins have found great common ground at Birchmont, and the shared experience is one which will carry them through years and distance. The idea of spending one visiting day together as a family, without the logistics of visiting two camps, should not be underestimated.

Feeling connected, accomplished, and making friends is what camp life is all about…no matter your gender.