Our children spend an average of over 9 hours per day on media.
Whether they’re watching videos, playing games on tablets or messaging their friends on their smartphones, they’re always looking at screens.
Overnight camp allows your kids to enjoy a digital detox. Suddenly, they have to communicate with each other by talking rather than via emojis.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep in touch with your little ones while they’re at camp. You can write a letter to kids at camp.
Usually, when you write to your child, you probably only receive one-word answers or GIFs. You’re probably wondering how you’re ever going to receive a proper letter from your camping kids.
We’re here to help you with our do’s and don’ts to convince your happy camper to reply with a letter.
1. Do Give a Family Update
You’re probably wondering what to share with your camping kids in your letter.
You should stick to small and happy news. Tell them about how you burned the sausages the other night or how Grandma has returned from her vacation.
Don’t reveal too much. They need to be able to have a fun time away from home without thinking about home all the time.
Avoid giving your kids FOMO (fear of missing out). Your kids are probably missing home a little bit anyway. Share too much, and they may want to return home early.
Have you got any unfortunate or bad news?
It’s important not to share the information via your letters to your kids. Instead, you can contact us directly and we can discuss how to handle the situation.
2. Don’t Ask Too Many Questions
You probably want to know everything there is to know about what your kids are doing on camp.
Of course, that’s natural for any parent to want to know. However, it’s important not to ask too many questions. Your kid will be really busy with camp activities.
That’s why you should limit your questions to one or two per letter. Allow your child to tell you what they want rather than what you want to know.
Ask open-ended questions. This way you’re more likely to get more detailed and longer answers. For example, don’t ask your child – “is the dinner good?” This way you will probably only receive a “yes” or “no” response.
However, if you go for – “what was your favorite thing you did today?” – you allow your kid to give you an interesting answer.
3. Do Include Photos
Many parents and guardians wonder whether they should send photos when their kid is away at camp.
The answer is – yes, you definitely should send photos.
However, don’t send any photos that make the kid feel like they’re missing out. Remember, we want to avoid any FOMO.
The best kind of photos is of your pet dog or cat. Or maybe, a picture of the decorating you’ve done in the home. If you’re working, send selfies from work.
But even if your photos make your child miss home, that’s ok really. We all miss home sometimes. Besides, overnight camp is a good place to experience homesickness for the first time.
4. Don’t Insist on Returning Your Letters
It’s only natural that you would be wondering – what they’re doing? Who are they playing with? What are they eating for breakfast?
Your kid is probably really busy having fun. Camp involves a busy schedule of activities.
That’s why it’s important not to insist on your kid returning your letters. They’ll enjoy reading them but that doesn’t mean they want to write a letter themselves.
Don’t make your child feel guilty for not writing back. Encourage your kid to write to you by promising stuff in return.
For example, promise two letters every one letter they send to you. It’s important to remember that if they’re not writing you letters, it’s because they’re enjoying themselves too much.
5. Do Set an Example For Your Camper
As the parent or guardian of your child, you’re a role model for them. You can encourage camper-style behavior in your letters.
Overnight camp is all about obtaining new skills, being in the great outdoors and making new friends.
By sharing with your kid some of these things, you can show your child the importance of camping.
Maybe you’ve made a new friend at work. Or perhaps, you recently discovered and mastered a new cake recipe.
With these encouraging words for kids, you can make sure they take a page from your book.
6. Don’t Send More Than One Letter a Week
Nowadays everyone is used to instant communication. That’s what makes letter writing so enjoyable for many of us.
Sometimes, you might be able to write a letter every day to your kid. Other times, you’re struggling to know what to write during the week.
It’s always good to keep in touch with your kid around once per week. You need to allow your child to enjoy camp without thinking too much about what’s happening back home.
By only writing one letter per week, you can think carefully about what you want to say to your little camper.
7. Do Involve the Rest of the Family
You’re not the only one that’s missing your child. You can involve other family members in your letters.
Get Grandma to write a sweet message. Or, allow older and younger brothers and sisters to draw a picture in the letter. Get the crazy uncle to include a funny drawing with your letter.
Writing Letters for Overnight Camp
Overnight camp is a wonderful and magical experience for your children to enjoy. For many children, it’s one of the first times they’ve been away from home.
Your letters could be an important part of encouraging your child to make the most of the fun experience of camp. By following our do’s and don’ts, you can make sure your kid has happy memories of camp.
Your child is always in safe hands with us. Contact our camp advisor to find out more about overnight camp.
