Sending my daughter to camp for the first time?

Question

My daughter who is 10, brought home a packet for 4-H camp for 4 days and 3 nights. She has NEVER been away from home like this, I'm SUPER nervous...should I let her go, what can she expect, what should she pack? I have no idea where to even start....What if she wants me in the middle of the night, what if what if what if......I know.... overprotective mom but I'm scared to death LOL

Thanks

Answer 1

Not to be a party pooper, but does she really want to go to camp? Have you been to the camp first to check it out?

I'm ambivalent about camp. It was ok, but definitely not a great life-changing experience. Some of the kids could be rude and cliquish and you couldn't just get up and get away from them. Having a friend from home might have helped.

Some camps are nice, but some can be a little run down. Does your daughter like roughing it? I remember a camp where it got really cold at night and it had all these holes in the cabin where cold air leaked through.

One camp was so buggy, it was almost hard to breathe without ingesting a bug, lol.

Some have a lot of mosquitos. I would skip camp if you are in an area with lyme disease. No use picking up that disease.

I think it's better to do activities from home. You can do skating, gymnastics, art, sports, swimming, all sorts of things, at a lot better cost.

I used to think, given the price of camp, that my parents were paying a lot to give me a lower standard of living for a week, lol. Guess I wasn't a camp person, not everyone is. But I thought I'd give you another viewpoint.

Answer 2

Oh FUN! Yeah let her go!

What to pack

sleeping bag

pillow

4-shirts

4-shorts

2-pants

1-pullover sweatshirt

5 socks

swimsuit or two

beach towel

river shoes

2 shower towels

shampoo

conditioner

journal and pen

raincoat

Hat or bandanna to keep ticks out of hair

bug spray

sun screen

water bottle,

dunk bag

small first aid kit

flash light- maybe the lantern one for her tent/cabin

She is going to have a blast! when i was a kid i went to camp and we had archery, swimming, horse back riding, riffle, skit night, we ate at the mess hall and shopped at the canteen store. I made lots of friends and have memories to last a life time.

I can not wait til my daughter can experience camp

Don't worry they are equipped to handle everything at camp. They are well trained to deal with home sickness and injuries.

Answer 3

Oh 4-H camp is great - your daughter will love it. They always have lots of counselors- the kids are well chaperoned and safety always comes first. Don't worry she will love it.

Most camps will send a list of what campers need. She will need clothes ( include some jeans and sweatshirts - sometimes it gets cold). A flashlight for sure, bathing items, you can ask her 4-H leader what else she may need.

Answer 4

My son went to boy scout overnight camp when he was 11 and loved it. It was really hard to send him away, but well worth it. Does she have a friend that can go with her? That would make both her and you feel better.

Check the camp packet or website on what to bring and what not to bring.

Be prepared for possibly having to go get her, but she will most likely be completely fine and have a blast.

Answer 5

My daughter went to camp last summer for 2 weeks. This summer shes going for 4 weeks (with a weekend break in the middle).

Once you fill in the forms and return them. They will send you a list of items suggested/needed for camp.

They discourage parents from having contact with the kids while they are at camp with the exception of writing letters.

Your daughter will probably be so busy she won't stop to wonder or be scared. If she does get really upset... they may let her call home.

For my daughter who was 8 last year, it was a wonder experience for her.

Answer 6

OMG  let her go.  the best memories i have of being a kid is camp! She is going to have a great time!

For tips on what to bring, look in the packet she brought home

if it doesn't have a list call or email the school or the teacher

and they should be able to tell you exactly what to pack

and what to bring.

it's only a few days and even if she wants you in the middle

of the night it will be a great learning and growth experience

for you both!  :)