Don’t Forget to Pack…

If your house is like my house, there are piles of summer clothing still sitting in the living room all waiting to be labeled with your child’s name on it… Yes, it’s clearly camp time!

But having done this before (once or twice), I’ve learned that the most important thing I can pack for my child is a good dose of positive attitude and two helpings of self-confidence. Every camper, coming for the first time, feels a little anxious. And they should! That’s normal. Hopefully, that anxiousness mixes in with enough excitement to overcome whatever trepidations they’re feeling.

The best thing to do is to remind your child that Paula, Richie, Brian and Judi along with their counselors and the rest of the staff, are there for them. They’re not alone by any means. While you won’t be there to give your usual advice or see them through the expected and natural “bumps in the road”, that’s what the NSDC team is there for. Camp will provide your child with the added self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience that comes from doing things that sometimes takes them out of their comfort zone. You can’t over-estimate the benefit for a child that comes from getting through a challenge without mom or dad. Paula, Richie, Brian and Judi and the rest of the NSDC team are there to help them do just that successfully.

So, when packing that NSDC bag each and every morning, don’t forget to pack that extra reassurance, that extra “can do” attitude and the positive spirit of what a great camp experience will be about for your child. And take it from a veteran: the great news is that when your child comes home every afternoon and you unpack their camp bag, you’ll notice a few things: The socks you sent your child in earlier that day may not have that “fresh-scent” any longer 😉 , the the bathing suit may get some wear & tear and have some color faded by the sun… But, the positive change in your child, the new confidence, self-assuredness and happiness of having spent a summer of fun and adventure making new friends will make clear – It was all well worth it.