What’s the first day of camp like? Fun, bewildering, emotional, tumultuous, exhilarating, stressful, fabulous. Whether you’re returning for your 10th summer or arriving for your first, you are likely to be feeling a swirl of emotions.
Help minimize your camper's anxiety by talking through what she or he can expect on the first day of camp. Many camps may have some or all of the following activities as campers arrive on opening day, also check you camp website to see what arrival may be like.
Counselor Greeting— as you arrive at camp whether in your parent’s car, a camp bus, or a van from the airport, there are likely to be counselors enthusiastically welcoming your arrival. Counselors arrive days before the campers to help get camp ready and they are so excited to greet you and get to know you!
Health Check-in— most camps have newly arriving campers visit the camp nurse as they arrive to ensure all of your medical forms are in order and to answer any medical questions parents or campers may have.
Cabin Settling — camps have a variety of ways to introduce each camper to his or her cabin and cabin-mates. You will may have a chance to unpack a few belongings around your bunk, maybe hang up your swim towel and put a favorite stuffed animal on your bed.
Quick Goodbyes— if your parents have brought you to camp, there will be time for a quick hug and good-bye before a counselor eagerly takes you to meet other campers and join in first day activities.
Get-to-know-one-another Games — there will likely be games so you have a chance to get to know the names of some of the other campers and counselors and where places are around camp. Some campers are very nervous that they won’t be able to find the dining hall or get back to their cabin— you needn’t worry— counselors and staff are at camp to help you make the transition and find your way around.
Refreshing Dip — if it’s a hot day your camp may have time for a dip in the lake or the pool. All camps have important rules about behavior around the water that they will share with you.
All Camp Dinner — in general, the whole camp will gather together for dinner whether in a dining hall or outdoors, a hot meal or a casual supper. Counselors will help you find your way and ensure you have a place to sit if you’re not certain where to go.
After Dinner Assembly or Campfire — quite often camps have an all camp gathering the first night— maybe the camp will play a game, or learn songs, or have a campfire. Whatever the tradition at your camp the counselors and staff will be there to help you get to where you need to go and lots of returning campers will help you learn the words to camp songs and other camp traditions.
These represent the general type of activities that many camps have on opening day. Read through the material your camp has provided for details on your camp’s first day activities.
Check out Managing a Tumult of Emotions to encourage your child to talk about her feelings as well as A Smooth Camper Drop-off to help the parents on opening day.
