Week 5 - Amazing Race Challenges

Amazing Race Challenges was just idea last year when we had one day of a huge multi area Obstacle Course. The campers loved it so this year we expanded it into an entire week and “What a Week it has been!”

The Camp was divided into 4 divisions so the competition would be fair for all. Each day the Groups would pick campers to participate so lots of children would participate by the end of the week. The Friendly / Fun Competition Week began with the Obstacle Course Races and Relays on Tuesday. Eight Campers were able to compete and represent their group, 1 on each leg of the race.

Here is how the race went: Time starts: # Run from start to the Junior Camp Play Structure and go through the maze (we will show you the course, then run out the gate and tag # Ride the tricycle around the white rail fence circle of the lawn around behind the Cantina and tag # Hit the hockey puck through the cones to the top of the stars and tag # Go down the stairs, across the bridge, down the stairs turn right and go under the bridge into the creek and look for a Gold painted rock. The Gold Rock must make it across the finish line. Run back up go across the bridge and back up to the main area and hand gold rock to and tag # Skip a jump rope around the white rail fence and tag # Hit the croquette ball through the hoops and hand gold rock to and tag # Get into your potatoe sack and hop across the lawn and give gold rock to and tag #8  Hula hoop for 10 seconds and go up the stairs to the Finish Line with the gold rock!. Time Stops! Phew, it is tiring just reading it isn’t it? View pictures on Flickr or Facebook and videos on utube.

Wednesday was Group Pool Race Challenges. 4 Campers from each group competed. Camper #1 started at the top of the slide, Time starts: Slide down, swim under the rope and tag camper #2, swim to the middle of the pool and dive down to get a ring off of the bottom. Swim to the other side of the pool and tag camper #3 who had to make a basket. After making the basket Camper #3 tagged camper #4 who had to get on an inner tube and swim or kick to the opposite side of the pool. It was fun to watch and participate.

Thursday older groups participated at the Ropes Course and the younger groups at the Group Challenge in climbing activities. 3 campers from each group represented their group in the competition.

Friday was the Campwide Finale which gave each group clues which led them all over the entire camp, somewhat like a scavenger hunt. It was like taking a “power-walk” and everyone had to stay together as a group. There were some close moments when 2 groups came back to the lunch area at the same time. At snack time the winners of each division were awarded an Amazing Race Challenge Certificate and a special snack.

Jeff, our video guru took some fun videos of the week and we will be uploading them to utube for your viewing pleasure.

Of course we presented our Specialists of the Week and Campers of the Week, pictures galore.

Next week is one of Cali-Camp’s classics: “Come to the Carnival”. Groups pick their theme for their booths, make banners and plan the games, Face Painting and the Carnival on Friday with booths, Games and Prizes for all! Check it out on our website: http://www.calicamp.com

Week 3 - "Sail the Silly Seas"

It has been since the year 2001 that we had Wacky Book of Records Week. Here’s how it goes: Each group in camp has 2 days, Monday and Tuesday to set their group’s “Wacky” record. For the rest of the week we put 1 record from each group up on the backboard and each group in camp can try to break the records set back on Monday and Tuesday.

We started the week with lots of new campers joining us. Time was spent at Circle Time introducing them to the group, assigning them a buddy for the day and making sure they get their orientation both in the group and at all of the areas of camp. We started with a counselor Task, which we continued each morning before Circle Time. The counselors set the first record – 103 consecutive beach ball hits. We’ll see what the record will be by the end of the week.

By Wednesday each group had set at least 1 record to enter into the Wacky Record:

Group, Official Record, Record
Cubs, Simon Says, 11 minutes
Bunnies, Jumping Jacks, 32 min. 9 sec.
Raccoons, Spinning in Circles, 6 min 35 sec
Butterflies, Handball bounces,1100
Chipmunks, Hula Hoop,46 min. 2 sec.
Wolves,Ping Pong bounces, 75
Swans, Somersaults per minute, 46
Ravens, Pushups, 52
Coyotes,Beach ball Rally,68
Doves, Swivel Hips on the Trampoline, 9
Fawns, Balance arrow on finger, 3 min. 8 sec.
Cardinals, Tennis ball bounces on racket, 452
Grizzlies, Caterpillar at Adventure – Ropes Course,45 sec.
Eagles, Ping pong Rally,230
Roadrunners, Basketball passes in 30 seconds,34
Palominos, Seat drops in one minute, 62
Mustangs,How many words can be made from a sentence, 108

On Wednesday, we divided the camp into 2 Divisions: Ages 5 to 8 and Ages 9 to 13 and set out to begin breaking records. Every group got into it and words of encouragement and cheering were heard coming from campers and staff alike. Our “Wacky / Tacky” Dress-up was a huge success and a FUN time was had by all who participated. Groups worked together to support the efforts of individual campers and lots of pictures and videos were taken. Check them out on Flickr and utube!

Thursday was Specialist of the Week with awards going to many campers who were really putting forth great effort and perseverance in the tasks at hand, whether it is consecutive Tennis ball bounces, the Caterpillar climb at Adventure or Swivel Hips on the Trampoline.

Friday’s, Campers of the Week were happy at Circle Time. The Bus Cup Challenge winners were ecstatic at lunch. At Snack Time we announced the Winners of the Final Wacky Records. Campers went home with certificates and their name went into our Wacky Record Book, to be brought out the next time we bring back Wacky Book of Records Week.

The whole week was building up with excitement to the Boy’s only overnight! The boys are looking forward to 2 hours of free-time with Horseback riding, Go-Carts, Target Sports, Rock climbing and a variety of other areas open for free choice. After free-time is the “all you can eat” Pizza party followed by a swim party, skit planning and campfire. The campfire is a real highlight of the evening with funny skits in which each camper will participate in and silly stories. Bedtime snack of Martha’s homemade cookies and hot chocolate is the perfect ending to a great day. Bedtime will be on the main camp lawn outside the lower offices with all night supervision. Older campers are allowed to stay up and play in the “Tackier Town” and Game Room for awhile longer than the younger children.

In the morning our fabulous cook Martha will be back for breakfast, followed by more free-time. In the morning we open up one of the camper’s favorites – Bamboo Forest! Snack-time and Lost and Found bring the overnight to an end. Camper’s get on their buses and pull out of the parking lot at 10:00AM and will be home to their drop-off points promptly. We promise they will come home tired, hopefully with all of their overnight gear, full of funny stories from the campfire and SMILEING!

Week 4 is next – “Sail the Silly Seas”: A fun-filled week of Water Games, Races and Relays. On Gilligan’s Island Day the Staff and Team Leaders Dress up as Characters from Gilligan’s Island. Camper’s can too if you would like to join in with the festivities. Thursday is “Pirate Day” with Treasure Hunts and a Gold Doubloons Contest. On Friday we culminate the week with “Back to the Beach” with Beach Dress-up, Beach Games an all camp Surfer Dance and the Girl’s ONLY Overnight!

Week 2 – “We Love a Parade”

Week 2 started off with a bit of heat, so one of our morning announcements, delivered by Shayna was “Hot, Hot, Hot, Drink Plenty of Water”. First Day campers were introduced to their counselors and groups, assigned buddies and were off to play. Sports Camp, the Roadrunners started Week 2 with Tennis in the mornings and were all happy when the afternoon came and they could go swimming. Week 2 of Wrangler Camp started without a hitch and is running smoothly.

Groups have all week to get their float built for the parade on Friday. We have been collecting cardboard from delivery boxes and have supplied the groups with a myriad of supplies from crepe paper, streamers and duct tape to help them create their group float.

On Monday, we started passing out Boy’s Overnight Flyers. Friday, July 10^th, is the BOY’S ONLY OVERNIGHT. The following Friday, the 17th is the Girls ONLY. Flyers for the boy’s will be passed out at snack time today and the Girl’s flyers will start going out next week. Overnights consist of:

1. 2 hours of freetime including target sports, go-carts, crafts, gymnastics, tennis, and oh so much more…
2. A great all you can eat pizza dinner with salads and desert
3. After dinner swim party with a nickel dive
4. Campfire (first of the year) with silly skits (campers get to perform too), special songs and Boy’s only Overnight Campfire Surprise Ceremony
5. After the campfire hot chocolate and home made “Martha’s special cookies”
6. Morning breakfast, more freetime, snack and we’re home for the weekend

All of the Groups spent time working on their floats for the Parade on Friday. It was great watching the kids be a part of the planning and execution of their floats. I think they were proud of their efforts.

Wednesday we started the day with some waterballoon staff relays in the lunch area and Thursday with picnic games with the buddy walkers. The kids get a kick out of their counselors competing for their section of the lunch area.

Campers of the Week and Specialists of the Week were presented Thursday and Friday and pictures posted on the bulletin board in the back of the lunch area along with on Facebook and Flickr. We took a few videos, short vignette’s this week also that were uploaded to utube. Please take some time and check our our Week 2 pictures.

Campers worked all week for the Parade on Friday which was a huge success. Every group, even Junior Camp participated and the Wrangler Staff brought down a horse. What’s a parade without a horse! We took some pictures (up on Flickr) and a Video of the entire parade which we will upload on Monday.

Next Week is Wacky Book of Records where campers from each group will try to establish "Wacky" Records Monday and Tuesday and then everyone spends Wednesday, Thursday and Friday trying to beat their records. The last time we had this week was in 2001, so we have some of the records from that year to try to break too! It should be Fun. The week culminates with the Boy's Only Overnight on Friday (July 10th) and the Girl's will follow on the next Friday (July 17th).

Week 1 - Share the "Cali-Camp Spirit"

What a wonderful week this has been for the campers and staff of Cali-Camp Summer Day Camp. It is so exciting for me, this being my 34th year at Cali-Camp, to see all the hard work of so many caring individuals come to fruition. A week or so ago we were all wondering if this thing called “Camp” would ever start. The anxiety for all, both campers and staff, was high, campers wondering if they will fit in with the other campers; counselors wondering if the campers will like them; directors wondering if all the staff will perform up to our expectations. I can proudly say “What a pleasure this week has been!” There is “Cali-Camp Spirit” throughout all of camp; children meeting and cultivating new friendships; staff members showing their “Super Staff” Skills everywhere and an overall feeling of accomplishment and pride in what we do.

The week started with all of the buses arriving on time and then morning introductions with camp favorite songs. The Junior Counselors sang “When you’re happy and you know it!” and the Senior Staff sang “The Cali-Camp Spirit” and we even video taped it and put it up on “utube”. First thing, we introduced all campers to their counselors and got them into “Circle Time” doing their orientations, playing name games and they were off to “play camp”.

This has been a week for campers to build group unity and learn all about each other. On Tuesday and Wednesday Groups made Group Banners which we displayed on the tree house and they created their Group Cheers and performed them on stage (pictures in Flickr). Wednesday was Crazy Hair Day and we had great participation from campers and staff as you can see in the pictures that were taken. It is really important for campers to participate in the camp special event activities, both for their level and quality of camp experience. If there is a dress-up day in a week help your child think about what they could do for their costume. You don’t have to go out and buy anything, make something up. Next Friday we are going to add Red/White and Blue Dress-up to our calendar for our 4th of July Parade and Celebration, so all they have to do is wear the colors, red/white/blue ribbons, hair, face paint, shoelaces, whatever you can find around the house.

We have many children with special needs at Cali-Camp who are being mainstreamed into the groups. One amazing, young autistic girl has been at our camp for a number of years and she has flourished. She has an aide who works with her to help with socialization and transitions. On Tuesday, the aide had something to do and couldn’t be at camp with the camper so the camper’s Mom came to be her aide. She went through the entire day with the group and later made a call to tell me how wonderful this experience is for her child. She was so thrilled that the campers in the group were so nice to her daughter and would encourage her and helped her learn to play a game. She said that in all the years that her daughter had been at Cali-Camp she has been happy, but these two counselors were the most remarkable yet. She said that they were spirited, caring, loving and were able to motivate all of the different personalities to participate in the activities by participating with vigor and energy themselves. It made me quite proud. I then shared her comments with our staff members. It made our day. The motto at Cali-Camp is “Catch them doing something right!” and guess what, those counselors went back to their group, knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of their campers and did an even better job the rest of the day. I am certain that they will have one of the best summers of their lives (and they have both been at camp for 8 years as staff members).

Thursday our Specialists in camp chose their Specialists of the Week to receive awards on stage. We give them all a huge Cali-Camp Cheer and take their picture for the bulletin board in the back of the lunch area (pictures will also be loaded into Flickr). Campers who receive Specialist of the Week are eligible, at the end of the summer, to be chosen as Specialists of the Year. On the last day of camp they are honored with a permanent placque and their names placed on our perpetual placques', etched in Cali-Camp history.

Today is Friday, Camper of the Week. Each group’s counselors choose 1 to 2 campers to receive Camper of the Week. We rotate from Friday to Thursday next week. They get awarded Camper of the Week within their group at Circle Time and at snack time today we take pictures for the bulletin board (pictures in Flickr). Children chosen as Camper of the Week throughout the summer are also eligible for the honor of Camper of the Year.

All in all, this first week has been one of our best ever, thanks to the responsible staff and campers who have shown their never-ending “Cali-Camp Spirit”. Until next Week… Join us for “We Love a Parade.” Check out our Special Events Calendar at http://www.calicamp.com/forms/Special%20Events%20Calendar.pdf

Pam

Pam Hawley – Cali-Camp Director

The Most Bang For Your Buck

As an owner and staff member of Cali- Camp for over 40 years; as a parent and grandparent; and as a psychotherapist; I find new meaning in the words - “Keep within one’s compass and cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth”.

I think, unlike years in the past, when the economy has been soft and parents have still managed to send their children to the high-end camps, this year presents a new challenge. The question many parents are asking is, “Where can I find the best camp experience for my child at the least cost?”

It may be that parents are very reluctant to pull any money from the budget they have set for their children’s summer learning experiences. They will, in many cases, sacrifice their own needs and vacations, so that their children can enjoy an enriched summer experience at camp. However, I do believe parents are considering their financial situations in a very serious manner. I also believe that most parents make their financial decisions with a serious commitment to the total value of their child’s summer camp experience. And so they face the dilemma, “Where and how do I get the most for my dollar without compromising the quality of the camp experience”?

There are many reasons why we send our children to a particular camp. We hope:

• That the camp we choose provides a community and environment in which our children can expand their skills and thrive.
• Our children, while attending camp, will make new friends by interacting with other children of different backgrounds and interests. Thus, they can expand their own vistas.
• Our children will learn independence and interdependence in the camp environment.
• Our children will learn to compete sensibly and with compassion and humility in the camp setting.
• That our children will build self-esteem and confidence.
• For confirmation that our children will be in a camp setting that is safe and comforting.
• They are able to enjoy their camp experience in a place where the beauty of nature is apparent, soothing and at always at their fingertips.

If we do not sponsor the magical experience of camp for our children because we feel we cannot afford the cost of camp then we might hire a sitter at $10 an hour for an 8 ½ hour day. That amounts to $85 a day at the very least. When one compares the cost of a sitter for 8 ½ hours to the cost of day camp for the same time we begin to appreciate the fact that camp is a very well priced service even at $100 a day. We begin to appreciate that camp is a true bargain.

When you evaluate the cost of camp per day and add to that the offerings of an on site camp, that maintains a trained staff which returns year after year because they love children and the awesome experience of seeing a child’s eyes open in awe at our environment. Once again we see that camp is really a bargain.

Add to that experience, hot meals, a nurse on the premises, an owner/director that has an investment in every child’s positive camp experience, transportation to and from camp, an expert who assures that the drivers of the vehicles are certified and the vehicles themselves are as safe as can be, an opportunity to schedule flexibility into your enrollment; and many other extras such as a camp site that doesn’t move each day, but instead provides continuity and familiarity.


From the aforementioned paragraphs, one can easily come to the conclusion that there is a correlation between what you spend and the quality of the camp that you select.

Just like any other business owner we want our camp (which is a business) to run in a cost efficient manner. We want our groups to be full and still give each camper a maximum camp experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a discounted rate. Special arrangements can be made for payment of camp tuition. As we near the opening of camp and especially in this economic environment we will work with you to give your child the best possible summer experience. We do not want to turn away a single camper because they can not afford our camp. We want you to use our flexible scheduling program to ease your way into your child’s camp budget.

I hope you have a very good summer and look forward seeing you and your child at Cali-Camp on our most incredible natural environment under the guidance of our most incredible staff.

Yours for quality day camping,

Sue Rowen
Owner

The Power of Camp! - Keeps em’ Coming Back

Over the past 34 years I’ve spent at Cali-Camp I have seen campers grow up, go through our camp program, become junior staff, staff members and am even spending time getting to know second generation campers, their children. It is very exciting to me to be able to talk to a child about how I knew their mother when she went to camp. They get a kick out of some of the stories. I would like to share a few stories with you about what keeps em’ coming back – The Power of Camp!

First of all, let’s go back to the late 70’s, early 80’s and meet Evelyn and Jamie. They started together at camp when they were Ducklings (probably age 4/5). One of them lived in the valley and one lived in the city, so they didn’t see too much of each other throughout the school year. Come the first day of camp they would be looking for each other, run into each other’s arms and were steadfast friends till the last day of camp when they would cry and promise to see each other next year. Thinking back to those times brings a big smile to my face. As they grew, they grew closer and created many memories together. One, which makes me laugh, happened at the pool when they were about 8 years old (plus or minus a year or so). They were holding hands and singing a little song they made up entitled “We’re Jews in Space” then they would jump up and twirl as they went into the water. Each time they would come up laughing and do it all over again. They both had infectious laughs and had many friends that went through camp with them too like Andrea and Devrha. (Picture from left to right – Devrha, Mindy (used to be their counselor), Jamie, Evelyn and Andrea. Jamie and Evelyn, Andrea and Devrha all grew up and became volunteer junior counselors, then counselors and when they all graduated from college and had to go get “real jobs” they somewhat lost contact with each other for while, but…

Just recently Cali-Camp celebrated our 50th Anniversary and they all came. It was like old home week with all of them hugging and sharing stories and memories about their childhood at camp and how much they missed each other over the years. It was as if they had just seen each other the week before, the comfortable feelings flowed back and they all re-connected. We decided to begin an alumni group on Facebook that now has 250 members. Campers from the past, who became staff members galore all sharing the fun times and memories they had together has been rewarding. The pictures they have shared have brought back even more memories with everyone commenting and sharing their take on what happened when they were there. We are even having a get together in a couple of weeks with people flying in from as far as North Carolina and Las Vegas. Camp has totally touched all of our lives and the lives of the campers who have come through our gates for the past 54 years.

Many of our alumni and friends in camping have written blurbs about why they kept coming back to camp. Here are a few:

“The Power of Camp is really the power of leadership, being a good sport, experience, self-sufficiency and memories. I have been fortunate over the years to travel the world, to participate in thriving businesses and charitable works, to be a Captain in the United States Army, and to be surrounded by loving family and friends. But I can say without hesitation that my fourteen years experience as a camper and counselor have had as profound an influence on my life as any others, and resulted in memories that are as vivid as if they happened yesterday. Thank you, Summer Camp. And thanks, Mom and Dad.” ~ Henry M. Skier, President AMSkier

Because of Camp...
1. I made soooo many fabulous friends from all over the world that have been long lasting and true; friends who have shaped my life and my direction.
2. I have shared difficult experiences with others that have helped shape my core values and character.
3. I learned and practiced valuable leadership skills in a safe and forgiving environment and was able to transfer those skills into my personal and professional life.
4. I learned compassion through helping children learn and grow up to be productive, confidant adults.
5. I was a much better teacher; knowing that children learn differently; knowing that children need to experience things and have FUN doing it.
6. I learned about the democratic process; the value and power of volunteerism and organizations.
7. I learned to value and appreciate the out-of-doors and man's impact upon it.
8. I learned teamwork and the power of working together.
9. I learned to trust.
10. "I yam what I yam" ~ Pam Hawley – Cali-Camp Director

“I came back to camp each summer I could, a total of five. The simple camp fun, joy of seeing old friends and the excitement of giving kids the best summer of their lives was always my motivator! I created lifelong friendships from those few weeks a year. Longtime friends, numerous weddings and entire families created from the endearing relationships that camp helped foster. Cali-Camp was one of the best times of my life.” ~Donna

“What kept me coming back summer after summer were the friendships that were built. Each year I looked forward to seeing everyone I became friends with the summer before. To this day, from age 11 (I will admit it...I am 40 now), I am still friends with Angela and Tammy Mandel. Two people that lived 45min.away from me, who I only saw in the summer until I could drive, still to this day remain my closest and dearest friends. They are family to me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Cali-Camp played a huge part in the person I am today. I also gained a great work ethic that steams from working at Cali-Camp. I don't think you see much of that anymore. Maybe EVERYONE should have to work at Cali-Camp! A huge THANK-YOU, to everyone that touched my life at Cali-Camp!”
~Nikki

“It's simple really. There's something about being a camper that's unlike being a student, or teammate, or employee. It's the privilege to play, to explore, to laugh, and to dance beneath the sun. Camp memories are special memories, memories that a tight knit group of people share together. So why keep coming back? I think it's to keep those memories going, forever. “ ~Tanya

“A Camper sees the camp through their own eyes, A Counselor sees the camp through the Childs' eyes, A Cali Camp Alumni can't wait for their own child see the camp through their own eyes....And when that happens, the circle is ready to go round again. Warm friends, warm hearts, warm memories....that is CALI CAMP” ~Jill

“What can I say about Cali-Camp? Other than IT ROCKS!! I'm sure you've heard this from every other alumni listed, but I've made true lifetime friends from camp! I can't imagine my life without it. Seriously! I have yet to have another experience like it. The memories that will stay with me forever are the best! I can't thank you enough!” ~Jen

"It was and IS my extended family. I gained more self-confidence every year I would come back. I met some of my closest friends there. I have MANY happy memories and hope my children have the same positive experiences and memories, if not more!" ~Amy
"Cali camp kept me coming back for so many years because of everything it offered. I got to enjoy time with children while at the same time helping them learn to have fun. In addition, with so many jobs in keeping you trapped behind a desk, Cali-Camp offered just the opposite. I was able to enjoy the great outdoors while helping kids to smile. That alone kept me coming back." ~Kyle

Written by Pam Hawley- Cali-Camp Director 5/29/09

Off To Summer Camp We Go!

How can you as parents insure a positive experience for your child in summer camp? This article is written in order to guide parents through some of the adjustment problems that both parents and children often experience before or at the beginning of their first summer camp experience.

As a licensed marriage, family and child therapist and also co-owner of Cali-Camp Summer Day Camp, it is my hope that the following ideas and information may help you to give your child the gift of an incredible summer at camp.

The camp experience, above all else, needs to provide your youngster with a safe physical and emotional environment. This safe place should also provide lots of interaction with other children and adult staff. These conditions allow your child to acquire social skills and to engage in activities that develop a sense of mastery over one's surroundings---one of our most important developmental tasks. Assuming that all of these criteria are met then, "having fun" is the operative phrase.

There are, of course, some variables that can influence a positive adjustment to camp. One of the most important factors is "separation anxiety" in either child or parent---and usually both.

Separation anxiety occurs in most children. It is developmentally appropriate from ages one to four, and manifests itself differently at each age. How a child resolves the issues around separation from parents is greatly influenced by the way in which the parents handle their own levels of anxiety about the camp experience and facing new situations.

It is normal for a child to feel some anxious moments before camp begins; it is even appropriate during the first couple of weeks. It is also appropriate for parents to be concerned about their child's adjustment to camp. However, be ever so mindful that your "worry mode", although often disguised and suppressed, is very apparent to your child. Their antennae are always up, and worry is very contagious.

For example, if a child repeatedly hears concerns of the parents about the bus ride, or sunburn, or his need to be with someone he knows, or negative messages about a parent's camp experience, this child will most certainly develop anxiety about going to camp.

As a therapist my message is: Be a concerned parent, but direct your concerns to the camp staff. Talk to them about your fears. Make a tremendous effort not to share your anxieties with your child. If your child voices fears then it is most important to hear all their worries. And then reassure! Reassure! Reassure! Try to separate your fears and concerns from your child's.

A child's anxieties are present in many different ways. Some are much less obvious than others. Behaviors to notice are as follows: verbally or behaviorally expressed resistance to going to camp such as stalling in the morning; or not getting out of bed; or clearly stating, " I don't want to go"; tears; bedwetting; or regressed behavior; sadness or withdrawal: that is not joining the group; boredom; dislike for counselor; hostile behavior towards other campers; and in some cases making up negative stories about other campers.





What are some of your options when a member of your family, perhaps even you as a parent, is experiencing anxiety about camp? My first suggestion is to call the camp office and ask to speak to a senior staff member or therapist if available.

I recommend that you bring your child to the facility several times before camp begins so that he or she can become familiar with the environment and learn the locations of the bathrooms, group meeting area, lunch area and the various activity areas.

I also recommend that campers ages 3-5 enroll for three days per week for at least two weeks at the outset; then after assessing the child, add or drop days accordingly. Days may be added provided there is space in the group and the bus. Although your child goes to pre-school or kindergarten 5 days a week and has fully adjusted; camp is an entirely different experience. One of the major differences is the fatigue level, especially in the beginning days of enrollment.

Campgrounds are usually much larger than the local school. Covering longer distances between activities is tiring for small people with little legs and little feet. An exhausted child can become a very cranky and unhappy child. Although our program at camp is developed to accommodate the needs of children ages 3-14 we have found that when camp begins it requires a stamina adjustment for all ages, including staff!

We invite our parents to visit anytime, and you may stay with your child for part of the day if arranged with staff. If you are noting anxiety we recommend that you try to bring the child to camp and stay an hour or two, then leave and pick the child up at an agreed upon time (the time could be earlier than the normal camp dismissal). It is very important that you are not late. Be there early or at least on time. Children suffer extreme anxiety when left waiting for a parent to show up.

When you put your young child on a camp bus, if he or she has a favorite toy or item to share with his group, encourage your youngster to do just that.

If something unusual has occurred at home let your child's camp staff know. Children often act out family trauma even though they don’t relate problems verbally.

We insist on a minimum 5-day enrollment because our experience tells us that some children need a fair amount of time to adjust and thus insure a positive camp experience. We hope that you as parents follow through with this by encouraging participation for at least five days. We want your child to have a wonderful summer and we need your help to achieve our goal.

We feel there are many options to look at before withdrawing a child from camp. However, if all else fails and withdrawal is the only solution we encourage you to applaud your child's effort and we hope you let your youngster know that next year there will be another opportunity to meet the challenges of summer camp and the joy that comes with all the successes that a child experiences when his camp experience is a happy one!

Written for parents sending children to camp for the first time, by Susan Rowen, a MFC Therapist for more than 29 years, and co-owner of Cali-Camp Summer Day Camp.