Summer camp offers many fun experiences for children. However, if this is your child’s first visit away from home they may be feeling anxious. These feelings are normal. In fact, everyone, even adults feel stress when dealing with things that are unfamiliar to them.
When children know what to expect from a situation they tend to be more confident and are willing to try new things. One great way to help ease your child’s fears is to simply talk with them and books offer a great medium for starting a conversation.
Froggy goes to Camp [3]Jonathan London
Froggy goes to a sleep-away camp, where all of his fun seems to cause trouble for the camp director.
Sweet Briar goes to Camp [4]Karma Wilson
Tacky the penguin and his friends go to Camp Whoopihaha where they scare each other by telling ghost stories around the campfire, never expecting that one of the frightening stories will come true.
If your child is unable to make it to summer camp you can create a similar experience at home. All it takes is some fun food, a simple nature craft, a few songs and a visit outdoors. You could even involve your children in the planning process. The whole family will enjoy the breezy days of summer with these fun activities.
Cooking in a Can: more Campfire Recipes for Kids [7] Katherine L. White
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah : a Letter from Camp [8] Allan Sherman
Kids Camp! : Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness [13]Laurie Carlson
Follow the Trail : a young person's guide to the great outdoors [14] Jessica Loy
Image provided by Joe Cavazos' [2]photostream on Flickr
Links:
[1] http://www.hcpl.net/users/christine-turner
[2] http://www.flickr.com/photos/joecavazos/3641868556/
[3] http://catalog.hcpl.net/ipac20/ipac.jsp?menu=search&aspect=subtab13&term=froggy%20goes%20to%20camp&index=.GH#focus
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[10] http://catalog.hcpl.net/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=webcat&source=~!library&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!684977~!2&ri=17&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ipp=325&spp=60&staffonly=&term=Nature+craft+--+Juvenile+literature&index=.SH&uindex=&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ri=17#focus
[11] http://catalog.hcpl.net/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=webcat&source=~!library&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!576173~!6&ri=17&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ipp=325&spp=60&staffonly=&term=Nature+craft+--+Juvenile+literature&index=.SH&uindex=&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ri=17#focus
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[15] http://www.hcpl.net/category/tags/childrens-booklist
[16] http://www.hcpl.net/category/genres/childrens
[17] http://www.hcpl.net/category/tags/summer-camp