Sleepaway Camp (8 year old) Skills

[Anonymous]

DC really wants to go to sleepaway camp this summer (two week session, she will turn 8 in late Spring). I have mixed feelings about it - but she's pushing it and is very outgoing generally. I am working on a list of life skills that she needs to master before she goes. So far, I have put on a fitted sheet, do her own hair, tie shoes (she wears a lot of velcro), floss better, etc. Other ideas?

[Anonymous]

She needs to be comfortable in the dark and navigating outside at night with a flashlight or headlamp.

[Anonymous]

Sleeping with noise. Being able to easily navigate form thing to thing without delay. Being comfortable with whatever the shower situation may be. Being comfortable with the overall less privacy.

[Anonymous]

I think you’re completely focusing on the wrong things here. Camp teaches them those skills and has people there to help. Also sorry but you’ll be lucky if she brushes twice a day. Flossing? What you need to focus on to see if she’s ready is how does she adjust to a set schedule she’s not used to, sleeping in a room with a lot of strangers, being away from home for multiple nights, needing to walk to different things in the dark w/ maybe just a flashlight? Food that might not be her favorite for 2 weeks, etc.
don’t forget that she will grow leaps and bounds between now and when you drop her off. If you wants to do it, I’d sign up now before you miss the window. For what it’s worth, if you aren’t in a waitlist, you may have missed the window until next summer.
2 of my kids started sleep away camp at 6 and loved every minute of it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you’re completely focusing on the wrong things here. Camp teaches them those skills and has people there to help. Also sorry but you’ll be lucky if she brushes twice a day. Flossing? What you need to focus on to see if she’s ready is how does she adjust to a set schedule she’s not used to, sleeping in a room with a lot of strangers, being away from home for multiple nights, needing to walk to different things in the dark w/ maybe just a flashlight? Food that might not be her favorite for 2 weeks, etc.
don’t forget that she will grow leaps and bounds between now and when you drop her off. If you wants to do it, I’d sign up now before you miss the window. For what it’s worth, if you aren’t in a waitlist, you may have missed the window until next summer.
2 of my kids started sleep away camp at 6 and loved every minute of it!

Thanks, I definitely signed her up. I went to sleepaway camp for the entire summer starting at 9. She was a day camper at this camp last year and loved it, so spent a lot of time at the camp facility - that's why she is so hard-pressed to go - she saw all of the evening stuff she missed out on .

[Anonymous]

If she's outgoing and begging to go, I think that's all you need. She'll pick up the other stuff while she's there.

[Anonymous]

If you are sending you kiddo to a reputable camp, there is nothing you need to do. The camp will give her the skills, she will grow leaps and bounds, its part of the whole experience. Where are you sending?

[Anonymous]

Disagree with all those saying “camp will give her those skill,” they won’t. You are absolutely right to be focusing on making her she is independent with self care. The 17-18 hr old counselors are not going to be doing it or teaching it. They are not mothers.

What she must be able to do:

-separate clean from dirty clothes. Make sure she is the habit of putting dirty clothes in the hamper each night, getting clean out of her drawer in morning. If she wears something, but it isn’t dirty and can be reworn, that goes wherever you designate.

-teeth brushing

-can detangle hair daily and put in ponytail

-can wash/condition hair independently

-tie shoes

-swallow pills: not a must, but is helpful if they did get sick

[Anonymous]

Shower quickly (and potentially in cold water) and rinse hair completely

Comb/brush her own hair and put it in a ponytail

Don't share hair brushes, hair accessories, or hats, and don't share pillows

Apply own sunblock and insect repellent

Hang up wet clothes and towels to dry before putting them in laundry bag

If you have a picky eater, how to handle making sure she eats enough and enough variety -- do not worry about her eating "healthy," it only matters that she does't get constipated, dehydrated, or hangry and doesn't tire out too quickly

In general as a kid, she should and will learn to tie her shoes, but also there's no reason she can't go to camp with only Velcro and slip-on shoes. Same with flossing. She should learn how but no one should expect more than brushing teeth morning and nigh..

[Anonymous]

The most important skill is to be able to ask others (counselors, etc) for help and/or be able to solve her own problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shower quickly (and potentially in cold water) and rinse hair completely

Comb/brush her own hair and put it in a ponytail

Don't share hair brushes, hair accessories, or hats, and don't share pillows

Apply own sunblock and insect repellent

Hang up wet clothes and towels to dry before putting them in laundry bag

If you have a picky eater, how to handle making sure she eats enough and enough variety -- do not worry about her eating "healthy," it only matters that she does't get constipated, dehydrated, or hangry and doesn't tire out too quickly

In general as a kid, she should and will learn to tie her shoes, but also there's no reason she can't go to camp with only Velcro and slip-on shoes. Same with flossing. She should learn how but no one should expect more than brushing teeth morning and nigh..

+1 to all this and also reliably use deodorant.
My kid started xamp at 9 and loved it. I know other kids who have never wanted to sleep away from home. Let your kid be the guide here.

Also ... make sure she's going to feel safe bailing or calling you if there's an issue. Sometimes if you push too hard on "you're not ready," when they find out they're in over their head they won't say anything because you told them so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The most important skill is to be able to ask others (counselors, etc) for help and/or be able to solve her own problems.

+1