First-Time Camper Pro Tips

If it’s your camper’s first time at Camp this summer, we’d like to be the first to say “Vista!” It’s how we welcome our campers to Camp, whether they’ve been coming to Camp for years or are just starting. Naturally, there are some mixed emotions about sending your camper off for a week or more, mostly good, we hope, but we completely understand the nerves from both campers and parents. If your child is attending Camp Kanata overnight camp for the first time, we’re here to help. It’s our goal for campers to be safe and happy while they join our Camp Kanata family.

The best way to have a successful first session of overnight or weekend camp is to plan and set expectations with your child before and during Camp.

Here are a few of our pro-tips for our first-year campers:  

Pre-Camp:

• Practice being a good cabinmate! That means making the bed, tidying up after using a space and sharing spaces.

• Implement a Camp-friendly bedtime routine a few weeks in advance without the use of electronics, like flashlight time. Flashlight time is great for winding down after showers and devotions, giving campers time to read their books silently before bedtime. This helps independence grow by learning skills at Camp that campers can bring home with them. 

• Teach your camper to advocate for themself to staff when needed, whether that is as simple as them not liking certain food or more complex, such as not sleeping well at night. 

• Discuss with your camper what they are excited about and what they might be a little nervous about.

• Go over the daily schedule. 

• Take a tour of Camp before the summer. This helps ease nerves and familiarize campers with cabins and Camp life. 

Packing for Camp

• For younger campers, it can be helpful to separate their items ahead of time. We recommend putting a day’s worth of clothing (shirt, shorts, socks and underwear) in a gallon-sized bag for each day of the week. This helps campers take a step toward independence, while still having support. 

• Bring pictures of family and friends with you to Camp to decorate your camper’s bunk. This often helps ground campers and gives them a sense of familiarity in case they start missing home.

• Be sure to pack different towels for swimming and showers.

• We recommend labeling everything your camper will be bringing to Camp to ensure items make it home with you at the end of the week. Please refrain from bringing fancy or expensive items with you to Camp in case they get misplaced. 

At Camp

• Communicate with your first-time camper by sending a letter or a Bunk Note. Bunk Notes are delivered every day. You can also drop a letter in the mail a few days before camp starts, so your camper receives it on the first or second day.

• Trust Kanata staff. Our staff is well-trained in nurturing and caring for first-time campers and those who may be homesick. Your camper is in good hands. When campers are missing home, Camp Kanata staff help them work through it. We know how to make this a positive experience, and we know Camp leads to greater self-confidence. However, if your child is really struggling after a few days, we will call you.

• No news is good news! You will receive a mini update on your camper from their counselors on Wednesdays. You can also view photos of them on Bunk1. Trust that we will always communicate with you in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. 

Sending your child away can be difficult, but we are confident they will have a fantastic week making new friends, trying new activities and learning confidence. Camp has levels of trained staff willing and able to assist with anything your camper should need, including their counselors, out-of-cabin leadership staff and a Director of Camper Life who lives on-site all summer. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Camp office staff before or during the summer if you have any questions.