Check out Another Expert’s View on Overnight Camp

Miss Tex just began reading Homesick and Happy, a book published by Michael Thompson this month. Read below to learn more about this great piece of work and what it advises parents to do. We couldn’t agree more here at Camp Hantesa!

 

Homesick and Happy- How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow

By Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

 

An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp—and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . . if only for a little while.

In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming—for you and for them. But a parent’s first instinct—to shelter their offspring above all else—actually deprives children of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go—and watching them come back transformed.

In Homesick and Happy, Dr. Thompson shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to, this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers your children into a thrilling environment—an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods, icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences. They often grow in ways that surprise even themselves.

They make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Dr. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When children go to camp—for a week, a month, or the whole summer—they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent, strong, and healthy.

Click here for more information about Dr. Thompson, his books and research.

Sign up for Camp Hantesa Resident Camp here!

 

What an expert has to say about resident camp

* Trying to justify the expense of camp?  *Trying to figure out if your little one is ready for a new experience? *Trying to decide between day camp and resident camp? If so, read Dr. Wendy Mogel’s article about the blessing of camp in today’s world.

Dr. Wendy Mogel is an internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.

Click here to read why she thinks Camp is important

Register today for summer overnight resident camp at Camp Hantesa!

 

Support Our National Effort to Acknowledge Our Youth!

Today’s the day! Don’t forget to let the kids in your life know just how absolutely incredible they are! Each year on the third Thursday in March (March 15, 2012), Camp FireUSA wants parents and adults everywhere to let kids know just how amazing and valuable they are. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is a national letter-writing campaign where kids receive letters of support, love and encouragement from parents and adults. It only takes a few minutes to jot a note that will be remembered and appreciated for a lifetime. The positive impact of these letters on kids is what Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is all about.

Camp Fire USA wants to honor the children involved in Camp Fire, as well as those not involved in our programs. Adults sometimes forget to stop and tell a child how important he or she is. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is a reminder to do just that. A letter is personal, tangible and something a person can hold onto for years to come. Through written words, people can express emotions they may hold back in conversation. Children need positive reinforcement in their lives. The right words of encouragement can come at just the time that a child needs them most – helping the child make better decisions, build self-esteem, and even be more compassionate and successful.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet, please take a few moments to write that special note to the children in your lives. Click here to find our Absolutely Incredible stationary. You may print off as many copies as you would like. You will also find a variety of sample letters here as well to give you a starting point and perhaps a little inspiration for what to write in your letter. Unable to print off the attached stationary? Feel free to stop by our office at anytime to pick up as many copies as you would like!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to let those special kids know just how Absolutely Incredible they are!

 

The Power of Camp

This video pretty much sums up why spending 10,080 minutes at camp (1 week) is so meaningful and important!

“The Power of Camp” Video

Sign up for Hantesa Summer Resident Camp today!

***Please note that this video was produced for the Christian Camp and Conference Association.

Camp Fire USA is not a faith-based organization and is inclusive to ALL youth.

 

Day Camp or Resident Camp?

Do you find yourself debating over whether to send your child to day camp or resident camp? Are you afraid that overnight camp may just be too much for your little one? Perhaps day camp is easier. After all, your child gets to come home every afternoon, just like he/she does during the school year… Well, we ask you to challenge this thought.

One article may help you make your decision.

Find out why resident camp may lead to lifetime success. Read the article here!

 

Need convincing on why Camp may be the best place for your child?

January is National Mentor month, a time to celebrate and encourage the positive relationships that are critical to the development of children and youth – the positive relationships that are developed and encouraged each year at camp. The idea of a mentor is an ancient one. In Greek mythology, when Odysseus, King of Ithaca, went to battle in the Trojan War, he placed his friend, Mentor, in charge of his son and his kingdom. Today, Mentor has become synonymous with someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced person. Mentoring relationships are special and often life-changing. The camp experience is uniquely designed to foster these relationships.

International staff at Camp Hantesa are both mentors and inspirations for our campers

 

When counselors and camp staff engage with campers, they are not just teaching – they are using the core elements of positive mentoring relationships.

Camp counselors share and teach through stories and anecdotes. They impart wisdom from their own successes and failures, and offer the insight that comes from experience. Camp counselors model appropriate behaviors. They show campers how to play fairly, show empathy, and win and lose gracefully.

Camp counselors guide campers through the learning landscape of life. They teach the things that cannot be taught in school – how to live with others, how to build friendships, how to lead, and how to work as a team.

Mr. Sarge is a coach and mentor for our campers. Every day, counselors support and mentor our campers

Camp counselors support campers emotionally. They offer reassurance when situations become difficult or overwhelming.

Counselors are there to not only lend a hand but to help campers work through difficult moments and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering obstacles. These relationships aren’t just a nice addition to childhood and young adult development – kids need them. They need nurturing mentors – people outside of their family that take an interest in who they are, root for their successes, and help them learn that failures are critical stepping stones on the path of success.

Each year for millions of children and youth, those relationships are developed at camp.

**This article was shared by the American Camp Association. All photos are those of Camp Hantesa.