For first-time enrolled families, the weeks at camp represent a big step for everybody. For a child leaving home, there is much that is new about camp. But one thing remains constant as they make the transition to camp: themselves! The most familiar aspects of their lives will help children upon arrival at HVC. You can help your child identify ways to use their strengths to adapt themselves to a new environment and create an independent identity at Hidden Valley.

This spring, campers may wonder, "What will my activities be like? Am I going to have fun? Who will my friends be?" Most everyone —whether they have been to sleepaway camp or not — has similar concerns. Campers benefit from encouragement and a reminder about how brave and wonderful they are to take the step they are taking.

Encourage your child to form friendships, try new activities, and talk to staff as needed. Let your child know that his or her efforts this summer will be enthusiastically supported by our staff.

The most important contribution from parents and other adults may be to help children focus on what they can do to make the summer successful. Encourage campers to take responsibility for their success at camp, providing ideas on exactly how this sense of responsibility can be acquired. What works at home will work at camp.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Hidden Valley?
A: That nobody has a phone and we just talk. - Alice, aged 12

We expect that some campers will find it challenging to adjust to no devices while at Hidden Valley. Pre-camp attention may be required.

Please prepare your camper so that they can make the adjustment to camp. Talk with them about the device rules at HVC and make sure they understand the benefits. They should be excited to experience a summer without device distraction.

Here are some things parents have shared with us over the years to help make the transition easier:

• Reduce screen time so that your camper is not forced to go cold turkey on the first day of camp.

• Put alternative activities in place at home.

• Pack camper bags with alternatives that provide satisfaction at camp. Books, writing, drawing, legos, crafts, and card games are all great items.

It is helpful to have camp conversations a bit at a time as the topic comes up in the context of family life. Make sure these conversations allow children to talk about their thoughts and feelings in anticipation of the summer.

Some great topics include:

• Classes. What to take and new activities to try.

• Fellow campers. Where they are from and what they might be like.

• Geography. Of Maine, our area, and differences from home.

• Cabins. Sleeping in a bunk and making new friends.

In each of these areas, there are similarities to life at home that can help younger campers imagine themselves in a new situation. For example, there are classes at school, wake up routines at home, and routes children travel in their neighborhoods.

As campers begin to imagine themselves in the camp setting it's time to identify the inner resources that will provide steady support. Help them figure out strengths such as listening, creativity, being organized, thoughtful, a good friend, etc. Then talk about how these might help them.

For example, a particularly empathic child may be able to help another child who is sad. A good dancer or tennis player will feel some immediate accomplishment. An organized camper will get their bed area set up to feel comfortable. An extroverted child knows they will make friends. These are foundations upon which a camper can build a sense of self in a new social context.

Forming an independent identity and having fun away from home is a big change and there may be bumps along the way. Hidden Valley provides a community that makes sure the bumps are not too big.

As you prepare for camp, here are some ideas to help with the change:

• Parents might discuss the sorts of things you will write about to each other during the summer.

• Choose family photos to send with children.

• Plan a diary to record camp experiences that can be shared after the summer.

• Anything to include the family as a supportive part of an independent camp experience.

Each summer we find a very few children who suffer from homesickness. Working with their parents, counselors, and camp directors, these campers find the resources needed to turn a challenging start into a relaxed and happy experience. A sense of accomplishment and independence at the end of the session is the ultimate reward for the campers.

It is natural to miss home. We work with each camper individually, listening and talking about their feelings. We encourage children to become full participants in camp life. We also notify parents and have children speak with them.

We've found that campers make the best of their summer experience when parents fully support their efforts to take risks and succeed.

HVC looks forward to working with families to help make the camp experience rewarding. Encourage children to take responsibility for themselves while at camp. Help them remember everything they can do to make their summer a good one. With all of our support, a positive result can be achieved.

Community and friendship are central to camp life and each child has their own way of going about making friends. Ask your child how they have made friends in the past and then help figure out how those moments can be repeated on the bus to camp, at meal times, in classes, and in the cabin.

Remind campers they do not have to be best friends with everyone. We all trust that all children will treat each other respectfully and cooperate in the group and some people have lots of friends, others one or two.

For returning campers or those coming here with a friend, remember that staff will expect all children to reach out to other campers. It is helpful to have children come up with ideas about how they will include others as they maintain existing friendships and negotiate these pre-existing friendships in specific settings so that friendships do not become exclusive.

A big attraction to camp is group life. Cooperation, self-awareness, and helping out are important pieces to building a positive community.

Campers will have daily chores. Tasks such as making their bed, putting their clothes away, plus a rotating cabin chore such as sweeping. Everyone pitches in to make cabin life nice.