Ready, Set, Camp!

 Try these five simple, fun activities to ease kids into the summer camp experience and boost their overall confidence, too: 

1. Explore the Outdoors
The average American child now spends just four to seven minutes outside in unstructured play each day, according to the National Wildlife Federation. This growing nature deficiency means the green hours kids spend at camp have never been more vital for their growing minds and bodies. So, why not get your camper outdoors sooner? Just a 20-minute excursion, swimming or hiking or walking near a horse trail, could boost kids comfort level with new camp activities while improving their health and happiness, too.

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3. Take Trial Runs

If your child is nervous about a particular aspect of camping, give her the chance to voice those concerns and work through some of her nerves while you’re still by her side. If your child is afraid of the dark, for instance, you might invite her to do some relaxed stargazing with you in the backyard one night, or encourage her to play a game of flashlight tag with friends. If your child hasn’t gone swimming in some time, and splash time is part of the camp experience, then it’s a good idea to take a few dips before she leaves home. Encourage sleepovers and outings with friends, too. Positive experiences that foster independence and allow for practice separations help kids get ready for camp.

4. Enjoy a Backyard Campout

Take dinner outdoors one night, then set up a tent in the backyard, or let your child camp out in the living room, tucked in his sleeping bag. For recipes, nature activities and games, crafts, and campfire stories, visit BackyardCampout.org, and check out the Get Ready section. While you’re there, you can register to be part of The National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout, taking place June 25^th this year.

5. Sneak a Peek

You can help your camper feel a lot more comfortable that first day just by visiting the camp site ahead of time. A local mom of two campers with a background in child care, Kim Laehle says it’s a great idea to take little ones on a preview outing to their day camp setting before they fly solo, just like you might with a new day care or school. Of course, if your overnight camps aren't too far out of the way, a similar sneak peek could be reassuring for bigger kids, too.