With another camp season on the horizon, we want to focus on turning any nerves for our overnight sports experience to excitement. Some of our top recommendations for helping campers feel as ready as possible actually stem from the parents/guardians.
It is important to exude confidence for all things ISTC because if you are nervous, your camper may pick up and match this energy. To avoid this, we encourage everyone to read through our free resources, such as the Preparing for Camp Guide and 1st Time Camper Guide; they detail key dates, the nature of our programs, and even have a packing list. We also offer group tours, so that everyone can become even more familiar with our facilities and programs. Simply feeling informed and on track for the ISTC experience will help you feel more relaxed about what’s to come, which will help your camper feel at ease too.
Now that you are in tune with who we are and what we do, it is helpful to paint a positive image of the ISTC experience for your camper. Discuss what camp will be like with your camper while highlighting the awesomeness to come. For example, ISTC is tech-free, so campers and staff will not have cell phones, video games, and other devices during their stay. It is intentional program design to help kids disconnect from social media drama, build their interpersonal skills, and focus on the various sports we offer. Take the following:
- “At camp, you won’t have your cell phone, so you won’t be able to get in touch with me or check your Instagram.”
- “At camp, you won’t have your cell phone because you’ll be too busy making friends, jet skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.”
The first associates ISTC with things they’ll be missing out on while attending; the second links camp to fun and unique activities. By creating a happy narrative, your camper will hopefully see ISTC in the same positive lens.
Another thing that may affect camper’s perception of ISTC before arrival relates to the decision-making process. If campers feel forced to attend, they may feel negatively, purely because they believe they did not have a choice in the matter. Let them inform other family members that they are going to camp or let them pick out certain items on the packing list. Allowing campers to take ownership of the experience whenever possible can help flip this script.
Lastly, give your camper opportunities to practice sleeping away from home, whether it’s with friends or other family members. Gaining experience away from parents helps campers realize that there are others who will care for them. Learning to sleep in different environments (different mattress, rooms, sounds, etc.) can alleviate any worries about cabin life.
Ultimately, our goal is to build friendships and life experiences through our programs – We know camp is an amazing experience that provides children the times of their lives!
