Do you remember the fun of singing songs around the campfire when you first went away to one of the hundreds of overnight camps in the United States? Maybe your daughter is the same age now as you were on your first trip to camp, or maybe she is keen to try going away herself. How do you know if your daughter is ready for an overnight or possibly extended stay away from home this summer? Following are eight guideposts to help you gauge her readiness.

If she is at least seven years ancient, she is probably ready to go away to camp if:

1. She has slept over with friends or other family before and didn’t have any problem being away from home. If this is the case, she will most likely be okay at camp. If she is expressing some concern about being away for so long, going with a sibling or a friend may help her be more comfortable on her first trip.

2. She is accustomed to taking care of her own personal hygiene, making her bed, having her own pocket money, and keeping track of her things. She also should have awareness of basic personal safety matters (with a bit of adult supervision).

3. She is excellent at communicating with adults and expressing problems. If she will have difficulty talking to counselors about any issues that come up, you might want to wait longer before sending her to camp.

4. She is willing to follow the instructions given by counselors without challenging everything that is said. This is especially critical for any of the activities where following directions is a matter of safety, such as swimming or hiking.

5. She can make friends and get along with other girls from diverse backgrounds. Making new friends (at least one or two) is one of the best parts of camp. Often, friendships forged during these times can last well into adulthood. An ability to be civil to girls she does not particularly like will also make her time away from home more pleasant for everyone.

6. She is willing to try new foods. At some point, food will probably be served that she finds unfamiliar or less than appealing, and she may not have other choices. If she is very picky about what she eats, it could be a hard adjustment for her.

7. She would delight in hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, swimming and other outdoor and group activities, and can handle being around bugs. Traditional camps are largely outdoors, and that will mean bugs no matter how much bug spray she uses. (At less traditional events where activities are mostly held indoors such as computer or theater camps, this is not a factor). In any case, she will get the most out of her experience if she is willing to try new activities and not give up on them even if she decides they aren’t her favorite.

8. You’ve clarified the distance and time involved for you to reach her in an emergency, and she is okay with being that far from home. If she is concerned about being too far away, select an option that is closer.

Parents know that every child is different, so it’s to be expected that not every girl is ready for camp at exactly the same age. Going away to summer camp for the first time is an exciting step towards independence! If your daughter can meet or is willing to try her best at the above eight tips, she’s probably prepared to have a fantastic time at a girls’ summer camp. If she’s not ready yet, don’t worry — there’s always next year.

Looking for an exceptional summer camp for your daughter? Located in Harrison, Maine, Fernwood Cove offers two separate 3 1/2 week programs that combine simple living in the out-of-doors with the warmth of community. Girls develop long lasting friendships while experiencing quality, skill-based activity instruction from caring, professional staff. SEO 2.0 Services

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