Previously, this was called the "pioneer camp," but times have changed - and it's right now to say "health camp." This is a place for resting a child, where he is without parents, in the company of other children, under the guidance of experienced teachers.
As a rule, there are interesting leisure activities in the camps: various mugs, hikes, health-improving procedures, children learn foreign languages, they are provided with training, discos, watching movies. Now, in an era of competition, each camp is trying to find its zest to make the rest of children the most interesting, safe and memorable,
It should be taken into account that the minimum age when children are admitted to a health camp is 6 years. Stay in the camp requires a certain level of independence and psychological maturity. After all, the camp is somewhat like a kindergarten (it is necessary to sleep during the day), but much more to the school with its rather strict rules of leadership-submission. What will the child, who first came to the health camp, have to face?
Explain to your son or daughter that:
there will have to be a long time without parents;
the camp space is completely unfamiliar, and immediately remember that where it is, it is not so easy;
the rules of stay in the camp are not known at first, but their fulfillment is required;
it is necessary to take care of yourself, for example, keep clothes, bedside table, bed in order and cleanliness; Watch out for your things, so as not to lose things that you can not do without - a comb, a toothbrush, etc .;
children's collective is absolutely new, and it is necessary to find in it the place;
the responsibility for themselves will have to be borne by oneself: it's up to them to decide which clubs to enroll, with whom to be friends, in which games and entertainments to take part.
When you decide on the expediency of a trip, you need to take into account that children adapt in the camp in different ways. It depends on the temperament, the nature of the child, as well as the level of independence that the parents are willing to give him. The children are the most adaptable:
communicative, easily finding a common language with other children, and with adults;
have a certain level of social maturity, i.e. Knowing that there are rules of behavior that must be followed;
having a positive lifestyle;
with adequate or slightly overestimated self-esteem;
accustomed to reasonable independence.
For successful adaptation in the children's summer health camp, it is also important to go to the camp, the presence of friends there. The more positive answers to our improvised test, the less you can worry about "how he is without me." But there are factors that complicate habituation to life in the camp.
closed, difficult to contact;
inclined to various anxieties and fears;
Not ready to comply with strict rules;
insecure or, conversely, overconfident;
spoiled, dependent, not having the skills to care for themselves and their things.
If such adverse factors are 1-2, then you should not refuse to go to the camp. But if there are three or more, it is better to postpone the beginning of "camp" rest for several years.
Under no circumstances can you go to a regular health camp for children suffering from severe chronic diseases that require special medical and parental control. All the other children in the camp can go and need.
Getting ready for a trip
Of course, it is necessary to take into account the opinion of the child himself. What kind of camp does he want: in tourism, language, dance?
If the decision is made, you need to properly prepare for the trip. At least a month before it, if you have not done this before, teach the child to take care of themselves and their things. He should remember that he himself needs to brush his teeth, wash his head, wash small things (socks, panties, swimming trunks), be able to pick clothes on the weather. He must learn to accurately, add clothes, remember that things need to be put in their places (to lose as little as possible in the camp). Teach to sew buttons and sew small holes on clothes.
Prepare comfortable things for the child, sew on them birochki with a name and a surname. Calculate the stock of "large" clothing so that the baby will only wash it if necessary.Consider what clothes and shoes you need to give, considering that the weather can be different. Fold hygiene items .Go with the baby so that he knows where that lies.
Write a list of things to make it easier for him to get home at the end of the shift at a children's summer health camp. Many children experience anxiety as the time of departure approaches the camp. Therefore, parents should talk about what a camp is like, what rules it has. Well, if you remember and tell the kid a few interesting stories from your "camp" life, show photos.
However, it is not necessary to promise a baby that the camp is only fun. Tell us also that he will have to face new situations for him. Do not scare the child with strict counselors or the head of the camp. Make it clear that if he follows the basic rules and shows goodwill in communication, rest will be successful. Assign to the child the certainty that he can have a good time away from home.
The first days in the camp
For the first time in the camp, your baby can experience a real shock from surprise. Literally, everything is strange and unfamiliar! Self-responsibility and self-responsibility are falling on him, and parents, who routinely direct "on the right path," are not behind him, a completely new children's collective with its strict laws. "The first week the children adapt to new conditions, learn the rules, get acquainted with those with whom Of course, it's not easy for children, and parents, after coming to the "parent's day" in a week, may face the fact that the child is upset and wants to take him home. Of course, this does not always happen, but you need to be ready for it. It can be recommended not to succumb to this "provocation." Only a few days will pass, and the baby will feel calmer, begin to find advantages in the camp life.
What initially caused alarm, will turn into an advantage. The situation is unfamiliar, but how many all fascinating! The team is unfamiliar, but you can decide and show yourself in a new, more bold and interesting way! We need to make independent decisions, because it's great! Yes, parents do not prompt, but there is neither increased control, nor excessive guardianship. The child is already happy that he did not go home, but stayed to rest.
Another "acute", but short period - when the shift crosses the middle, for a few days, homesickness, parents, tiredness of communication in a new collective return, you can again hear the child's complaints and requests to take him home. for 2-3 days, then the "second wind" opens: the children understand that the shift is coming to an end, and they are rushing to do what they can not do at home.
Near the end of the shift, many children say that they feel sorry for leaving the camp. If you hear such words from the child, if he asks you to send him again to the camp next year, then he received from rest what he needed!
Do not worry!
Sometimes parents are worried and experiencing much more than they should. And if at the same time they have the opportunity to communicate with the child (for example, by mobile phone), this unjustified alarm can be transmitted to him and make adaptation difficult. Therefore, it is important for parents to calm down!
Perhaps you have deferred business, for which there was no time? Or do you want to prepare your child a surprise: to make repairs in his room, buy new furniture or sew a nice coat for him? Get down to business, there's not much time! Can you imagine how your kid will be pleased when he sees your surprise? That time, which lasted for you endlessly, will begin to accelerate rapidly.
So, the camp for the child is a real school of life. And it's not scary, if at first he's a little lost. Experience - both positive and negative, will remain with him for many years, will allow you to draw conclusions about how you need and how you can not behave yourself. Neither notations, nor home "training for independence" do not give such an effect as a change in the camp, it is an opportunity to study the world behind the already familiar boundaries.
And another important point: the time when the child in the camp can be used to rest (even while continuing to work). And how wonderful to meet again after separation, enriched with new experiences and impressions. Therefore, it is worth considering whether it's time to camp!
Only peace!
Are you worried when you send the child to the camp? Take the paper and pen and answer the questions:
1. What exactly are you afraid of?
2. What am I willing / willing to do to avoid this? Remember that a child should be able to receive negative experience and learn to draw conclusions from it.
If your decision is to send the kid to the camp or leave him in the camp, where he is already (and we hope that this is the case), this will require you to be resolute and firm.