Tips for first-time parents

[Sherm]

To all first-time parents (and even some veteran Conistonian 'rents),

I've been doing this web site for a whole bunch of years, and I've been associated with the camp for multiple times longer. It just now occurred to me to start a thread like this.

So, you've decided to send your child to Coniston.

First of all, congratulations, you've made the best decision you ever could or will make (EXCEPTION: marrying, happily we hope, and having the child in the first place may rank about the whole Coniston thing, but not by much....)

Second, know that you are not alone. Coniston have a wonderfully high retention rate, so there will always be more returning campers than new campers, but everyone needs to be a first-timer once!

Third, EVERYONE in the Coniston Community is 100% dedicated to making your child's experience a good one. We all LOVE to share Coniston with others.

And lastly, the Staff at Coniston is always first-rate. From the camp's Executive Director to the newly-hired international staff, EVERYONE either comes to Coniston "the best" or is MADE "the best" through their interactions with the rest of the Staff.

All that being said, there are always unanswered questions, insider things to know, and ways you and your camper can max-out your time at Coniston.

This forum thread is dedicated to sharing knowledge between parents, first-time and veterans.

Sherm Horton
Parent of:
a six-year camper
a two-year camper
a camper-to-be

and....
_________________
YMCA Camp Coniston
Webmaster
CIT '77
CIT Director '84 & '85

[Sherm]

Tip:

Send mail. Not e-mail. Real-mail.

Send a letter on the Friday BEFORE check-in. New campers will love knowing that mail is coming in! They'll get really busy and not depend on mail, but having some mail at the beginning of the 2-week session is great.

Encourage them to write home! Don't ask if they are OK or having fun. Assume they are. Ask what they are doing (program areas, evening programs, etc.) Ask what their favorite part of camp is.

Even if you are, try not to let on that you are having fun away from them. Assure them that things are fine at home, but don't make them feel they are missing something.

Send "stuff". NOT FOOD. But comic books, books, even newspaper clippings. Forgot to pack something? Send it!

Encourage relatives to write!

Don't send letters with "countdowns" - for example "one three more days until we see you / pick you up". Time stands still at Coniston. Just look to the official Camp Clock.

Anyone else have mail-hints?

Sherm
_________________
YMCA Camp Coniston
Webmaster
CIT '77
CIT Director '84 & '85