We are very excited to welcome a large group of first-time campers to Camp Horseshoe this summer! As parents ourselves, we know that sending your son off to camp for the first time can be a little bit scary. There are a few ways that you can best prepare your son and yourself for this upcoming summer at Horseshoe.
1. Get in the ‘Shoe Spirit- Let your son know that you have full confidence that he will have an amazing summer at Camp Horseshoe. The confidence of parents can be a huge boost to first-time campers. Remind them of all the activities they will get to try and all of the friends they will meet. Stay extremely positive about his upcoming summer.
2. Read Homesick and Happy- We recommend that every parent take a few hours out of their summer to read Homesick and Happy, a fantastic book by Dr. Michael Thompson. The book explains how time away from parents can actually help our sons develop independence and self-confidence. If you are worried about your son being homesick, this book has a lot of great tips for how to discuss this topic.
3. Follow the Packing List- Our packing list is designed so that your son has absolutely everything he needs during the summer. Make sure that everything is labeled with his name and that you pre-address a few envelopes for him. Involve your son in packing so that he know where everything is inside of his duffels.
If your son is considering Camp for Summer 2016, you can always come see us during our Rookie Weekend! This is a great way for future campers to get comfortable with Camp Horseshoe.
If you have any other questions about being a first-time camper at Horseshoe, you can always email or call us anytime. We can’t wait to welcome you to The Shoe!