Page 10 - Camp Horseshoe Parent Handbook 2024

Communicating with Your Son
LETTER WRITING AND ONE WAY EMAILS
• We believe in old-fashioned letter writing. Campers love to get mail, just like parents love to get mail. We try to have campers write home twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Saturdays. Since we are in a small town, a letter may take several days to arrive. We recommend sending pre- addressed, stamped envelopes for our younger campers.
• We offer one-way emailing to our campers - you can email them, and they will write letters back! Many parents prefer to email their letters. Emails will be printed before lunch and distributed with regular mail (every day except Sunday). Emails SHOULD NOT BE A REPLACEMENT FOR PHYSICAL LETTERS!
• This is a special part of camp that every camper should experience.
• To email your son, login to MyCampMinder or Campanion & select “Email If you would like other people to email your camper, click on the My Account menu and you can create Guest Accounts for family and friends”.
• Please note: fun@camphorseshoe.com is NOT available for camper email.
• When writing to your son, a good way to start every letter is to discuss camp activities, especially the ones your child has mentioned to you in his letters. Comments such as “How’s your basketball coming along?” or “Your counselor sounds great,” will help your son adjust to the newness of camp and show that you have truly listened to what your child has said.
• Try and avoid phrases such as “The house seems empty without you,” and “If only you were here”. Although these sentiments may be true, they can only make your child miss you more. A better way to express your feelings might be to say, “We’ll have to try out that great backhand when you get home,” or “By August, you’ll be able to teach me how to golf.”
• When you receive letters from your son, remember camp life has its ups and downs, just as life at home, and the child who today, “hates Steven who sleeps next to me” may tomorrow think, “Steven will be my best friend forever.” Call us if you are concerned. Most of the time, the problem was resolved long before you received the letter!
• Finally, save the letters your son sends you from camp. Years from now, you will be able to read them together and relive those childhood memories. We are sure you will discover that Camp Horseshoe is more than a summer camp; it is an experience of a lifetime.
The mailing address for your son is:
Camper’s Name *Your Son’s Cabin Number Camp Horseshoe
4151 Camp Bryn Afon Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501 *We will email his cabin name after the buses arrive
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