April 21, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 11 SCHOOLS & CAMPS Children and their parents need to prepare for camp Millions of children will get their first taste of independence at a resident or day camp this summer. More than 12,000 camps across the country are preparing to give children the experience of a lifetime -- and parents should be doing the same. Preparation is the key to a successful summer at camp. Not only does a child need to be prepared, parents also need to prepare themselves. “Sending your child away to camp is a major milestone for most parents, one that is often marked by excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even some anxiety,” according to Bob Ditter, a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy. Parents think that if their child is far away from home, he or she will be more anxious. In reality, it is usually the parents who suffer concern for having their child away from home. Most children come into the camp setting and immediately begin to develop a support network, and the distance from home simply doesn’t matter. “One of the most important things parents can do to help prepare children for camp is to talk with them before they go,” Ditter added. He offers the following suggestions: Prepare for camp together. Decisions about camp, like where to go and what to pack, should be a joint venture, keeping in mind the child’s maturity level. If a child feels a part of the decision-making process, his or her chances of having a positive experience improve. Talk about concerns. As the first day of camp nears, some children experience uneasiness about going away. Encourage children to talk about these feelings. Communicate confidence in the child’s ability to handle being away from home. Have realistic expectations. Camp, like the rest of life, has high and low points. Not every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage children to have a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss the ups and downs they may experience. Ask the hard questions. Ask the camp director as many questions as you need to before camp begins in order to feel comfortable. When families make the decision to offer their children the benefits of a camp experience, they are giving them the opportunity to grow and develop in a caring, positive environment that is safe and fun. With careful planning and preparation, a camp experience can be an experience of a lifetime. This article is courtesy of the American Camp Association, which works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. #1 BASEBALL CAMP IN AMERICA Mahwah. Campers 7-17. Select one or more weeks July 4 thru Aug. 8. Overnight, Day Camp or Extended Day Camp. Major League Stars. College coaches. A/C dorm and campers lounge. Batting cages, indoor BASEBALL CAMPpool. All-you-can-eat meals. Free COACHES AND YOUTH video games. Daily instruction LEADERS and games. Ramapo College Call about our money HEAD BASEBALL COACH making program Rich Martin, Director. Located on the beautiful campus SINCE 1981 OVER 24,000 ALUMNI of Ramapo College of N.J. in ALL STAR We Teach Math! CONFIDENCE • LEADERSHIP LOSE WEIGHT • FOCUS Ages 6 and up July 19 – August 13 Monday – Friday 9am-3pm CALL TODAY FOR A FREE BROCHURE 1-800-828-7414 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALLSTARBASEBALLCAMP .COM Only until August 2010 Pre-Registration Discount by 6/5/2010 Infants, Toddler, Preschool and Kindergarten, Grades 1-6, Ages 6 weeks to 12 years 4-14-10 Joan/Janine ����������������������������������������������������������� AllStarBaseballCamp2x2.5 ������������������������������������� 2 x 2.5” 4-21-10 pat/janine HTaeKwonDo2x3(4-21-10) 2 x 3” Rev2 A Truly Unique Montessori School • Unique Phonics Reading Program • Computers • Music • Foreign Language • 3 or 5 Half Days • Full Days 7am - 6pm • Fastrackids • Character Education • Parenting Seminars • Dance Academy CORE of the APPLE Summer Camp ���������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������� ������������� ������������������� ������������ ��������������� • Daily Swimmming Lessons, Heated Pool designed for safety of young children • Sports/Organized Games • Arts & Crafts • Field Trips • Music/Dance • In House Events Call, visit and • Nature & Science compare the advantages gained for • Computers • Cooking your child... 4-21-10 kathy/janine FashionDesignWorkshop3x3BW(4-21-10) 3 x 3” www.applemontessorischools.com 192 Ramapo Valley Rd. �������� ������� ������������������������ ������������������ YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER OAKLAND 201-337-0183 Please call for our other locations 973-696-9750 Nevins Rd. WAYNE 75 East Ramapo Valley Rd. MAHWAH 201-512-1141 ����� ��� ��������