HomeSleep-away camp can be one of the best experiences of childhood. Camp songs, color wars, bonfires, kid food, picture perfect days and nights.
If your kids are away at camp, you're either clicking your heels with joy or curled up in your son's bed smelling his pillow, wondering if you're looking at the same moon that he is that night. (The latter, by the way, was me, the first night my son ever went to sleep-away camp. I was a pathetic mess on day one, but as the letters rolled in, and I could see photos of him on the camp website - gotta love modern technology - I was grinning as much as he was).
Staying in touch, though, can be challenging, especially since many kids aren't great letter writers. "Hi Mom. Camp is good. Send money." And, we're so wired with instant communication, it can be frustrating during the daily sprint to the mailbox, hoping for a word, any word, to confirm that our kids are happy. I'm lucky that my son's personality really comes through, especially the time he told me he broke his leg, but that the crutches get him to the front of the Mess Hall line, only to end with a "P.S - just kidding - did I get you?!"
Here are some tips to stay in touch:
1. Alert/instruct family and close friends - Send an e-mail note early so your camper gets lots of mail. Include your camper's address, bunk number, camp start and end dates, and any restrictions the camp has regarding care packages or food..
2. Send pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes - Make it as easy for your camper to write home and to write relatives and close friends.
3. Share information -- I tell my son to mark "private" any sections of letters he doesn't want shared, but he loves to have me e-mail his letters to grandparents to stay in touch.
4. Use technology, but sparingly -- Many camps offer one-way e-mail'ing from parent to child, that can increase the frequency on your end, but there's nothing like a hand-written letter. E-mail notes are a great supplement and an effective way to ask your camper something that requires a quick response.
5. Write frequently - Imagine yourself, sweaty, tired, possibly missing home, as letters are handed out. Take turns with your spouse and other kids at home. Young kids who can't write yet can send artwork, which will be treasured.
6. Clip & send - You can clip cute comics or articles from the newspaper or magazines and add your own commentary. If you have a sports fan, send the sports section of the newspaper. If there's a major win by your child's favorite team, print coverage from the Internet and send that as well.
7. Vary your correspondence - It's tough to write long letters daily, but if you also send cards, goodies (if allowed), and so on, you can send lots of love throughout the summer. I recently saw some creative items you can send including a self-mailing ball greeting (www.sendaball.com) and fun designed, pillowcases (www.pillowcasegram.com). Another budget-conscious strategy is to visit your local dollar store & send goodies the kids will devour: playing cards, glow sticks, art supplies.
8. Keep it positive - Don't share sad or bad news with your camper - there's nothing he or she can do about it, and it will only deflate the camp experience. Saying "I miss you" is fine in moderation, but upbeat, fun messages will be most welcome, and will reduce homesickness on the other end.
9. Respect camp policies regarding visits/phone calls - Some camps allow a visit, especially if the session is a long one. Many don't. Again, I'll admit, the first time my son went away for 4 weeks, I hit my breaking point midway, and asked for a phone call. I relished every second hearing my son's voice; tried to analyze every word after the call; and was ecstatic after our 7-minute conversation. However, he later shared with me that it made him miss us more. So, honor the camp's experience and guidance in this department!
Finally, consider a questionnaire. Last summer, as a way to not only ask certain things I'd love to know, but also, as a way to make the response easy, I sent a questionnaire. Here are some questions to consider including in yours (put blank lines after each question to make it easy to respond):
• Are you having a blast?
• Who are some of your new friends?
• Where are they from?
• Is the food good?
• What have been some of your favorite meals so far?
• What about camp has surprised you or been different than what you expected?
• What is your favorite thing to do at camp?
• How is the weather? Is it really hot every day?
• Are you brushing and flossing? (A gentle Mom reminder never hurt anyone!)
• Did you get the care package from us in the big white post office box?
• On the back of this paper, will you write out what a typical day is like - what time you get up, when you eat/rest/go to sleep?
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For free camp resources, visit our website, www.BusinessofMotherhood.com. We have a free, updatable camp packing list and camp stationery (link: http://www.businessofmother...
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Amy Kossoff Smith, Founder of The Business of Motherhood, is a nationally recognized Mompreneur who owns a Web site, www.BusinessofMotherhood.com, and blog, www.MomTiniLounge.com. Available 24/7, just like Moms, the Web sites offer parenting tips, resources, and a host of ways to manage the job of motherhood.
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Online at www.BusinessofMotherhood.com and www.MomTiniLounge.com.
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