First-Time Camper Emails

We’re all on one team getting your camper ready for camp! Below, you can find the pre-camp emails we’ve sent out for first-time campers.

Week 3: Practicing independence for camp starts now

Happy May!

Depending on your session, your camper could be just over a month away… or a few months out. Either way, this is the perfect time to start building a little independence before camp.

For a lot of kids, overnight camp is the first time they’re in their own world for a full week. No parent there to remind them about sunscreen, help solve a problem, or double check they packed what they need.

That’s a big shift. 

The confidence they build at camp doesn’t come from everything going perfectly. It comes from figuring things out, trying again, and realizing they can handle more than they thought.

You can make that transition a lot smoother by starting now. I’ve broken it into two levels.

Level 1: Brand New Independence

This is the stuff kids can do… until they get to camp and suddenly forget how.

  • Picking out clothes and getting dressed by themselves
  • Keeping their area clean (and knowing where to put dirty clothes! maybe start using that camp laundry bag now?)
  • Making their bed (yes, we have them do this every day – and it’s to see who gets to go in and eat first!)
  • Applying sunscreen — how much, how often, and without help
    • Our counselors say this a good bit, but it’s still really important to practice before camp.
  • Packing a bag for the day with everything they need
    • We leave the cabins in the morning and don’t return until rest period (right after lunch). After rest period, we don’t return again until after our evening activity. Closed toed shoes, sunscreen, towels, etc. – whatever they need for that time needs to be in a bag.
    • We provide a camp bag or feel free to bring the one you’ve practiced with!
  • Getting together everything they need for a shower
  • Serving themselves from a salad bar
  • Addressing an envelope (if you want them to write letters home)

We’ll absolutely help and remind them at camp. But a little practice now goes a long way.

Level 2: Growing Independence
These kids have the skills to meet their basic needs. Now, it’s time to help them help themselves have the best week possible.

  • Asking adults other than parents for help and support
    • If they need something from a teacher or coach, now’s the perfect time for them to ask. Our counselors are constantly checking in with kids, but self-awareness and advocacy help counselors understand exactly what kids need.
  • Talking to people face-to-face (no phones, no screens, just real conversation)
  • Advocating for what they want (“I’m going to do arts and crafts today” instead of just following the group)
  • Navigating small social moments (“Hey, can you move your stuff?” or “I need a little space”)
  • Trying something new without needing to be perfect (or even good) at it

And at the end of the day, if they come to camp with none of this, they’ll leave with a lot of it. Starting now just helps them walk in feeling a little more ready.

Let me know how it goes!

Allison Krabill
Associate Vice President | YMCA Camp Immokalee

P.S. Another way to help prep them? Let them see it beforehand. Come out to camp May 17 from 12:30-2:30 for a tour. Bring a friend!

P.P.S. This is week 3 of a prep for camp series. Missed the other ones? Find them here.

Week 2: They might miss home (and that’s okay!)

The first sessions of camp are just over a month away, and I want to talk to you about what missing home looks like at camp. Your camper may have a few weeks or a few months before they join us – but save this info for as you get closer. I promise, it’s helpful!

First, missing home is normal. The American Camp Association last put the percent of people who report missing home around 83% of campers – and that’s just campers. Staff feel that, too. You know how this feels. You’ve probably been SO excited for a vacation but had moments of missing your own bed, your animals, your own coffee setup – your own stuff. Even in moments of fun and excitement, we miss familiarity. And that’s what often happens at camp.

So missing home isn’t a bad thing. It’s natural. It’s something most of us have felt at some point. Don’t focus on if your camper is going to miss home. Focus on how you can set them up for success if (and let’s be honest, probably when) they do.

Here are just a couple things I’d start doing now:

Start swapping some language. What feels like support (and typical things we say as parents!) can become something campers fix on.

  • Instead of: “I’m going to miss you so much.”
    • Try: “I’m so excited to hear all about your adventures when you come home!”
  • Instead of: “You’ll be fine, there’s nothing to be scared of.”
    • Try: “It’s okay to feel nervous, but remember that everyone is there to have fun and support each other.”
  • Instead of: “I’m just a phone call away.”
    • Try: “You’re going to have an amazing time at camp! I’ll be thinking of you and can’t wait to hear everything.”
  • Instead of: “Just tough it out if you don’t like something.”
    • Try: “If something bothers you, talk to your counselor. They’re there to help you.”
  • Instead of: “You’ll be away from home for a long time.”
    • Try: “You’ll have so many fun activities and new friends that time will fly by!”
  • Instead of: “You need to be brave.”
    • Try: “It’s normal to feel a little scared, but remember, everyone at camp is there to help you have a great time.”
  • Instead of: “Don’t worry, I’ll come get you if you don’t like it.”
    • Try: “Camp is an adventure, and I think you’ll have a great time!”

Involve my kid in the process. Not sure about yours, but my natural instinct is to pack for him. That way I know he has everything (and specifically, everything I want him to have).

BUT – that’s not the best way to go. Kids need to feel ownership of coming to camp. Let them help pack, talk them through some of the camp forms, show them pictures you see on social media. 

And for me personally, a super reader and researcher of all things, I’d pick up a copy of Homesick & Happy. It’s not the most up-to-date thing you’ll read this year, but the basics are really great.

As we get closer to camp, you’ll learn more about how we handle missing home and when we pull you in. If you have any questions in the meantime, reach out and let me know.

Week 1: Meet your camp team (and other things you’ll want to know)

Hey!

Between now and your camper’s first day, we’ll be sending a little info each week so nothing feels like a lot at once. This week we’re covering our staff, food, and healthcare.

Our staff
Who’s actually caring for your kid while they’re at camp? Honestly, some really great people. All of our staff members go through an enhanced background check, a drug test, online child abuse prevention trainings, in-person trainings about how camp works, and First Aid/CPR certifications. Staff also have the option to get other certifications, like lifeguard, swim instructor, ropes, archery, sailing, and more.

Our team is made up:

  • Cabin counselors – The people who live in the cabin with your camper and are the frontline people taking care of them. We have at least two counselors per cabin, and they’re generally 18 and up (with a few 17 year olds to round us out).
  • Leadership team – Former counselors who have now stepped up to support our staff. They provide extra support to campers, to staff, and to families. They make everything happen behind the scene.
  • Nurse – A VERY important person on our team! Each week we have a nurse on site who administers any necessary meds, assists with any medical needs, and helps keep campers healthy and safe.
  • Kitchen staff – Keep our campers and staff well fed! They’re great at working with allergies, special diets, and anything your camper needs.
  • Facilities team – Incredible people who keep our facilities safe, clean, and ready for whatever camp throws at them

Additionally, our year-round team includes me (Allison, our associate vice president), Jen (director), Sam (camp concierge), and Roland (property manager). Most often, you’ll hear from Sam, but we’re all here to help!

Food
Speaking of that incredible kitchen team, they make great food happen. All meals are included in camp from Sunday dinner to Saturday breakfast.

Most meals are like you’d see in a school cafeteria. Breakfasts include things like biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes, and bagels, and each breakfast has a breakfast bar with alternatives. Lunches include things like hamburgers, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese. Dinner examples include chicken alfredo, baked ziti, and tacos. Lunches and dinners have a salad bar with protein for an alternative.

If your camper has an allergy or special diet, please include that on the forms (both Medical & Tell Us About Your Camper). Our kitchen will take care of it from there!

Thinking about snacks? We’ve got lots of options in our camp store! More details will come as we get closer, but camp store accounts are like pre-loaded debit cards. Campers visit once a day to grab what they need. Outside of that, we ask that families not send snacks from home. If you have an allergy or special dietary reason for bringing your own snacks, please email us at cimmokalee@fcymca.org.

Healthcare
We’re incredibly lucky to have a great group of nurses care for our campers and staff. They live on site and are there to help 24/7 with any camper medical needs.

All medicine, from cough drops and allergy spray to birth control and ADHD meds, must be turned into the nurse. Only emergency medicines (inhalers and epi-pens) can remain with campers. Our nurses do an amazing job organizing all the medicine by cabin and the time of day it’s taken. They ensure that campers get the medicines they need when they need it.

Beyond that, our nurses are at camp to help with anything that pops up for our campers. They’ll always reach out if it’s an above average concern. Additionally, all of our staff are First Aid trained and ready to help with any bumps and bruises that may happen at camp.

More to come

If you have any questions about these items, feel free to respond! We’ll be in touch with more info little by little as we get closer to camp.

We can’t wait to welcome your camper!

Allison Krabill
Associate Vice President, YMCA Camp Immokalee