Last year I went to overnight camp for the first time. At first I was really nervous about being away from home for 10 days. I won’t lie and tell you that it was all easy. But I will tell you that after the first two nights I started to get comfortable at camp. I was supposed to be there for 10 days and then my parents were coming for Alumni Weekend (my mom went to the same camp) and the plan was that I would go home with them. But you know what happened? I loved camp so much that when my parents arrived, I asked if I could stay for another 12 days.
Here is some advice for people who are going to overnight camp for the first time:
- Make friends with the people in your cabin. You will make new friends starting from the bus ride up there and have lots of people to hang out with. Also, introduce yourself to everyone. I always had not just my friends in my cabin but other people in my camp were my friends too. It is always good to have a lot of friends to get you through the lonely or homesick times.
- If it’s your first time at overnight camp, it’s probably also the first time for most of the kids in your cabin. You are not the only one. It will make you feel better to know that.
- I was mostly nervous about the nighttime. My Mom’s advice to me was “all you have to do is make it through the night and then you will have so much fun in the day.” The days are so much fun at camp. Remember this at night.
- Try talking to your counselors if you’re feeling homesick. It feels good and they can make you feel better. They were also first-time campers – a really, really long time ago, though!
- When you’re packing for camp, collect some pictures of your family and bring some tape so that you can have them on the wall at your bunk.
- You know the list of things they tell you to pack? When it comes to clothing, bring extra t-shirts BUT…
- Don’t take your favourite t-shirt. You will probably lose it.
- My Mom and I had a special deal that we would both go outside at 9:30 every night and look up at the stars and say goodnight. When I looked up, I knew that she was looking up too.
- Take a notebook so that you can write down the phone numbers and email addresses of your new friends to stay in touch until next year.
- Make the most of every day. It goes so fast you’ll be home before you know it and instead of wishing you were home you’ll be wishing you are back at camp.
That is my advice for people who are going to camp for the first time. I am so excited to go to go back to camp and to see my friends. I’m not nearly as nervous as I was last year. I am going to have so much fun and hope you do, too! Post a comment below and let me know what your advice is.
Thanks so much, Hannah. I will share this with my daughter. She’s going to overnight camp for the first time this year. AND she’s going to be celebrating her ninth birthday there!
Hi, Hannah.
That is good advice. I used to also sometimes get homesick when I got letters from home, but I wanted them anyway. Zohar is up at Gesher again right now. It looks as if she is having fun. I’m sure you will have a great time again, too.
That was good advice. I am going to camp for the first time and I am really excited. my mom went to Gesher and I am going next year.
That’s very helpful. So, what camp did you go to? twin Lakes! Cause that’s where im going.
Thanks for the advice. I love it. Which camp are you going to??? I’ll share this with lots of people.
Congrats Hannah on your great blog! I am impressed by your style and the wide coverage that you have. Well done and I’ll be sure to share your 10 tips on my facebook page..I have a blog on family travel and I am sure that young readers will be inspired by what you do. keep up the great work. vanessa (from london)
Make sure you take some warm clothes. Sometimes, it gets quite cold at night and I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.
Thanks for your insight, heard your interview today on CBC. I too went to camp, as well as my 2 sons, and remembering telling my youngest son what a great time I had, that first year of his camp when I picked the boys up, the youngest cried all the way home and told me how much the experience was not the same, and he was never going back. When the next year came, he begged me to let him go again. LOL!!, they continued to go for 5 more years, and my eldest son, worked for the camp one year. I now tell many of my friends who have young children to consider the opportunity for their children. I will now pass on the info of your blog, it will help both parents and children understand how this can be the best life time opportunity, “CAMP”.
Hi Hannah,
Its Jack from Camp. I saw your interview on the news and you were awesome 🙂
I think my sister might come to camp next year because of your blog (she is 10 too)
Thanks and Keep Changing the World
Thank you Jack! How could I forget you? You were so kind to me at Take Action Camp and welcomed me so nicely! I can’t wait to meet your sister next year at camp. I had so much fun at the interview but I had so many inspiring and fun moments with you. I believe that you will change the world.
See you next year Jack!
Hi Hannah, the tips you gave for overnight camp are genius! I’m in fourth grade and I started overnight camp for the first time this summer. What camp did you go to? I went to camp Tioga, they were really good about my celiac. Next year I think that I’m going to Camp Nock-A- Mixon for 7 weeks. Last year I went for three weeks. Was your camp good about your celiac? I know that you are probably busy but would you please try to reply to my comment? Thank you, you are an amazing blogger.
from,
Alexa
Most importantly, kids must make friends inside the camp to get the best experience. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! When I went to sleepover camp I used all the advice that my family gave me and it worked. I wasn’t scared when I started making friends.