Roll Call: Welcome to Bonfire Bonding!
Before we can begin, we need to set the mood! Check out this awesome camp playlist on Spotify to get into the right mindset for Bonfire Bonding!
Now we’re ready to talk! My name is Orly, and I am a sleepover camp fanatic! This is a blog for parents of first-time campers to learn how to prepare your child for a magical and unforgettable camp experience.
I live and breathe camp. For 10 years, each time June rolled around I boarded the bus to camp and spent two dreamlike months watching the sun rise and set over the lake with my best friends. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and talked until we knew each other better than we knew ourselves.
When I became a camp counsellor and then unit head, I realized that while the campers are having the time of their lives, their parents back in the city are often worrying – “Will Sam make friends?”, “Does Jenny know how to make her bed?”, “Is Sarah eating properly?”, “Why hasn’t Josh written any letters yet?”.
Take a deep breath. You’re not alone in your concerns.
You wouldn’t believe how many calls and e-mails camp directors and staff get every single day from nervous parents! So I’ve set out to create a blog that will calm your nerves and ensure that your child has the best summer ever!
Having worked with over seventy campers ranging from 6 years old to 16 years old, I’ve seen it all.
I know what your child needs to know before arriving at camp for the first day. Camp isn’t always easy, but after 10 summers I know the recipe for a successful experience. Now I want to use social media to share my wealth of knowledge about all things sleepover camp!
On Bonfire Bonding, you will be able to find advice divided into two different categories:
1. What my child needs to know before camp.
2. What I need to know before I send my child to camp.
To get the conversation going, check out the ‘Fireside Chat’ tab, where you can ask me any questions you have! These questions will be answered in future blog posts.
Before we leave for today, I encourage you to check out this article about 10 tips to prepare your first-time camper. I also suggest following Instagram accounts like this one to get you and your camper excited for all of the incredible times ahead!
Stay tuned for the next blog post, which will talk about how to pick the right camp for your child.
Thanks for sticking around, it’s curfew and lights out for the night!
