The funny thing about first time campers is that 95% of them have a great first summer and usually it is a result of well intentioned parents that campers have a difficult time. Here are some pointers to make sure you do not fall into that trap of inadvertently communicating some negative messages to your children:

• Do not tell your kids "if you do not like it they can come home after a week". All this does is put a negative idea into their head and have them use this as the time frame. It is guaranteed after one week no matter how good a time they are having they will say they want to come home. Instead say, " I am sending you because I know you will love it. If after the summer you do not then we can discuss it and think of alternatives".
• Do not repeat over and over again how much you will miss your child. That tells them that you, or their sister or brother or even the dog will suffer without them and that will cause them grief. Just say I love you, and can't wait to here about your new friends and activities and all about your counsellors.
• Do encourage your child to come to camp with their security blanket, doll, animal, or locket.
• Do encourage them to go on sleepovers to grandparents, friends and relatives.
• Do try to keep the siblings together even if the older one is negative about having their fellow sibling at camp. 50% of the older sibling's will say they do not want to be with the younger one but having the older child there is a sense of comfort for the first time camper. Older children at camp also tend to enjoy taking on responsibility for their younger sibling since Mom and Dad are not around and it makes them feel special. And of course long term keeping family together is always the best thing!
• Do not over pack and have your child involved in the packing process so they feel excited and in control.
• Do not expect every letter to be wonderful. Young first time campers will tend to write home when they are upset. This is normal as they are not used to having people other then Mom and Dad solve their problem. By the time you get the letter in most cases the problem is not even an issue any more! And for the first time they will learn the greatest benefit of camp: that they can be more independent and with assistance from other adults solve their own problems.