Tips for a positive experience
Many students who come to Gilmont have not spent the night away from home, and few have been away from parents for 3 to 5 days. This new challenge can cause anxiety on the part of students and parents. Here are some good ways to address the challenge:
- Concentrate on the positive. Keep your student looking forward to the great time they will have at Gilmont. Remind them of what they are looking forward to experiencing.
- Send a reminder of home. A favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or picture can provide comfort for your student.
- Encourage activity. Make sure your student knows that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they will have a chance to learn new things, have fun with friends, and participate in the different activities and hikes. It will be well worth the effort.
- Prepare as a parent. Sending your child away can be as hard for parents as for students. Prepare yourself for the separation by remembering to be happy and excited for their experiences and prepare a letter for them to read when they are away. Keep it upbeat and positive.
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"Camp Gilmont was one of my BEST school experiences ever! This camp really helped me come closer to my classmates and better understand school concepts. Our team building activities really helped us communicate better, like when we did the skis. With each pair holding around 8 people you have to use the 4 Cs a lot! Care about other people, Communicate with each other, Commit to not give up, and Cooperate with everybody. The teachers there take time to make sure everybody understand what they mean. All of the activities are fun yet you still learn a lot! We did Astronomy and it was one of my best memories." |
