February 2021 - American Summer Camps

Early on in your search for a summer camp, you will need to determine what length of stay is right for your child. By the age of 9 or 10, many kids are ready for an experience that will challenge them and provide growth opportunities by being away from home for an extended amount of time (anywhere from 2 to 7 weeks). Believe it or not, it’s often harder for parents to part ways for this long, whereas kids are so busy at camp having fun, being active, and making new friends that the time flies by. The personal growth that is achieved at longer overnight camps is unparalleled – by living and playing day in and day out within a close-knit community, your child will grow in their independence and self-confidence through their achievements at camp and the relationships they will build.

We highly recommend international campers attend camp for a minimum of 2 weeks. By staying for at least 2 weeks, a camper can truly get in the mindset of adjusting to camp life. It is very normal for campers, whether American or international, to experience a modest amount of homesickness when they initially arrive at camp. Yet if the camper is staying for at least 2 weeks, they have a much higher chance of working through this homesick and enjoying their time at camp. Additionally, your child will get past any tiredness from jet lag and still have a significant amount of time left to enjoy cmap. One aspect of the 2-week experience to consider is that there are more changing dynamics within the cabin groups, as the campers are coming and going more frequently throughout the summer. Depending on the session and the cabin group, the camper may be with other campers who arrived at camp at the same time as them, and in other situations they may be joining a cabin group where some campers have already been at camp together. This is a question to discuss with the camp director of the camp you are considering.

Looking at a longer option, a 3 or 4 week session length is truly ideal for international kids attending summer camp. By attending a longer camp session, your son or daughter will be with other campers who arrived at the same time as them, and have a longer time to settle in, adjust, and grow at camp. Not only will they get past their homesickness within the first few days of camp, but they will also have a several weeks left to truly settle into the routine of camp. The growth in friendships and confidence your child will experience are achieved through being away from home for that extended time. They will be go through the ups and downs of day to day living with their close friends, and learn how to navigate those challenging moments and strong friendships. Additionally, they will have ample time to experience all the activities that camp has to offer, and to achieve some improvement in skills in those activity areas. Finally, instead of feeling like they are simply spending a few fun weeks away from home, they will grow to feel that camp IS their new home!

Finally, there are some camps that offer a 7-week session. For the international camper who has had experience being away from home in the past and is excited about attending camp, this is definitely a great option to consider. All of the benefits of a 3 or 4 week camp apply to the experience a camper has during a 7 week session, but to an even greater extent! When your child is at camp for 7 weeks, they will return home with even more significant skill development in the activities they participate in throughout the summer. On top of that, the social growth they experience is truly unique – the friendships formed are even more substantive, their conflict resolution skills truly are put to the test and are stronger, and their confidence and sense of accomplishment gained from being at camp for 7 weeks is unparalleled.

With all these options to consider for session length, it is important for parent and kids to talk through what the best option is. Be open to hearing about different lengths of sessions, but also be realistic about what is the best fit for your family. And as always, we are here to answer questions and help you navigate through this decision-making process!

What Does a Summer Camp Nurse Do?

You are in charge of the campers’ overall health and safety as the camp nurse. This entails doing anything from looking for infections to treating wounds and making sure a first-aid kit is available and that you know how to use it. The administration of medication to any campers who might need it is another one of a camp nurse’s responsibilities. Additionally, they assist in maintaining a record of each camper’s and staff member’s medical history so that the camp staff can respond appropriately in the event of illness or injury.

In addition to all of the above, camp nurses frequently provide courses on health and wellbeing for both campers and staff. This might involve educating them on healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management. You might offer talks as a camp nurse about certain health issues like avoiding injuries or abusing drugs and alcohol.

Where Does a Camp Nurse Work?

Camp nurses operate in a number of places, but summer camps and school break camps are where you’ll most often find them. Church camps, dancing camps, and sports camps are a few more camps where camp nurses may be employed. A camp nurse will be working with children attending their first sleep-away camp who are far from home.

A camp nurse may work at camps for children with special needs and camps for certain age groups. Camps for people with certain conditions, such as diabetes or HIV, will also have a camp nurse on staff.

The environment of the camps where camp nurses operate might vary greatly. Some may live in urban areas, while others may reside in rural areas. These campgrounds may be found in the highlands or on the seashore. In any terrain, you can pretty much locate camps and camp nurses. No matter where the camp is located, a camp nurse will be on duty.

What Are The Typical Shift Hours of a Summer Camp Nurse?

Your regular work schedule as a camp nurse depends vary on the sort of camp you work at. The typical workday for a camp nurse is 8 to 10 hours, while some camps require nurses to work 12-hour shifts. The time of year will also affect your schedule, with the summer being the busiest season for camp nurses. You may anticipate working weekends and occasionally even on holidays during the summer. If they work many sessions, camp nurses often take a one-week rest in between camps.

What Are The Required Skills To Work As A Camp Nurse?

For the health and safety of campers and employees, camp nurses are crucial. In addition to treating sick or hurt children, camp nurses try to keep everyone healthy and safe. You require critical thinking talents, evaluation skills, decision-making abilities, problem-solving abilities, and leadership qualities to work as a camp nurse. Additionally, you should feel at ease dealing with kids and be capable of handling emergencies.

You’ll need to be able to speak well with both kids and adults if you want to work as a camp nurse. Additionally, you must feel at ease working in a group setting. When necessary, camp nurses must also be able to work autonomously. Last but not least, it’s critical to be well-versed in CPR and first aid.

Monthly Archives: February 2021

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