{"id":4702,"date":"2017-05-09T06:16:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T11:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/blog\/?p=4702"},"modified":"2021-02-09T21:58:36","modified_gmt":"2021-02-10T05:58:36","slug":"summer-camp-secrets-shy-quiet-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahblog.activityhero.com\/summer-camp-secrets-shy-quiet-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Camp Tips for Shy, Quiet Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Worried your child won’t warm up to summer camp? Here, top camp directors share secrets for helping shy kids step outside their comfort zone.<\/h2>\n

By Laura Quaglio<\/h3>\n

\"shy
\nWorried that your child might be too \u201cshy\u201d to enjoy summer camp? Plenty of parents are. That\u2019s what we do sometimes: we worry. Rory Judge, who started at Adventure Camps<\/a> in 1978, says that he has talked to many fretful parents over the years, but he assures those of us with kids on the \u201cquiet\u201d or \u201cshy\u201d side that there\u2019s usually no real cause for concern when it comes to enrolling them in a summer camp. \u201cWhen parents inquire about shy kids, I just tell them to send them to us,\u201d he says. \u201cWe can usually work with them to make them comfortable really quick.\u201d In 38 years, Rory says he has never had to take a child home partway through the day \u2013 not even the ones who were crying, clinging, or even hollering at drop-off. That\u2019s even more reassuring when you consider that his camp has a unique setup: as \u201cthe only completely mobile day camp in the Bay Area since 1971,\u201d Adventure Camps boards kids onto counselor-driven vans each morning and heads out to various locales for a wide variety of activities including woodland hikes, beach play, swimming, nature crafts, and talent shows.<\/p>\n

See Schedules for Top Summer Camps Near You >><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Tamar Hill, director and founder of the co-ed all-day sports camp Spartan Allstars<\/a> (with locations in La Canada and Menlo Park, Calif.) agrees that most kids are quick to make friends at summer camp \u2013 even if they start the day hiding behind Mom. \u201cI think \u2018shy\u2019 is something we tell our kids that they are,\u201d says Tamar, who taught high-school biology for 16 years and served as a coach for the school\u2019s women\u2019s varsity basketball team. \u201cReally \u2018shy\u2019 is an emotion, not an identity,\u201d she says. \u201cI think it\u2019s a state of anxiety rather than a state of being.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fact, Tamar adds, most of us act a little \u201cshy\u201d in an unfamiliar setting, especially among complete strangers. She believes that it\u2019s helpful to talk to our kids about why they\u2019re feeling shy, nervous, or anxious about attending a particular camp or activity. By understanding their concerns, parents and camp staff may be better able to help that child feel at ease. And that, she says, is a much better solution than denying them all of the magical perks \u2013 emotional, social, physical, and academic \u2013 that summer camp offers.<\/p>\n

Still a bit anxious? Remember that helping your child adjust won\u2019t fall solely on your shoulders. Many camp directors and counselors really take pride in helping all children feel at ease, says CD Hullinger, owner of CD’s Kids Art Studio<\/a> studios in San Jose. \u201cWhen I get a shy kid, I immediately tell them that I am glad they are here because I need a helper,\u201d she says. She asks these kids to hang out with her and let her know when they\u2019re ready to participate. Once they warm up, she often has them, in turn, help befriend another camper who might be hovering at the fringe of a group activity. It\u2019s a great way to encourage kids to make connections and to show children that they can make a difference in another child\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Of course, these camp owners also have a few ideas of what parents can do to set the stage for a more successful start of summer camp. Here, a few of their top tips:<\/p>\n

Get a Sneak Peek of the Camp<\/h3>\n

Summer camp websites often have class\/camp descriptions, counselor bios, photos, and sometimes even videos of previous sessions. They may also have a Facebook page that shares highlights of special events and activities. Take some time to explore these sites with your child to familiarize them with the program. You can also ask the camp director if it\u2019s okay to drop by during a session or if you can schedule a face-to-face meeting and a tour of the facilities. You can also request a more complete itinerary (if available) so your child will know exactly what to expect on a day-by-day and hour-by-hour basis. You could also sign up your child for a one-day drop-in session or an after school program at that camp. That way, when summer session begins, your child might already know some of the campers and counselors.<\/p>\n

Ask What the Camp Does to Welcome Shy Kids<\/h3>\n

Rory says that his Adventure Camps program is set up to engage kids from the get-go. Before the campers even arrive at their first destination, they are greeted individually by counselors and are welcomed into \u201ctheir\u201d van \u2013 Great White, Snow White, or Cool Blue, which were given their names by the children. The fun starts as soon as the kids enter the van, which is not just a means of transportation but a great space for meeting new friends. By the time kids arrive at their first activity, any nervousness has usually disappeared.<\/p>\n

Rory also tries to take kids\u2019 interests into account. If one child is a fan of horses, Rory might bring outlines of ponies for that child to color \u2026 or the group might schedule a visit to the stable in Golden Gate Park. \u201cWe meet and greet each child by name, take an interest, and really pay attention to each one,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s the simplest thing, but that\u2019s all it usually takes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each camp director may have their own method of helping kids feel special. CD’s Kids Art Studio owner CD Hullinger has a \u201ccharming\u201d secret that often works magic on apprehensive kids: \u201cI have fused-glass trinkets that are small enough to fit in pockets,\u201d she says. \u201cI give one to the child and tell them that this little trinket is good luck! Usually by the first hour, they are hanging out and having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

See Schedules for Top Summer Camps Near You >><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Sign Up Kids with a Buddy<\/h3>\n

If you know your child is truly hesitant to make new friends, our experts advise trying to sign them up with a friend.(ActivityHero makes this easy to do: Once you register, just share your registrations<\/a> with the parents of your child\u2019s friends.)<\/p>\n

Also consider enrolling your child in multiple sessions at the same camp, especially if that location hosts an array of activities and programs. Spartan Allstars, for instance, offers sports camps, as well as ones with a drama theme. She does advise against over-scheduling your child for camps that are heavy on physical activity, though, because that can be exhausting, even for energetic kids. Try to break up those sports-camp weeks with something artistic or academic, for example.<\/p>\n

Help Counselors Understand Your Child<\/h3>\n

If you have any concerns or helpful information about your child\u2019s personality, behavior, interests, or special needs, share them with the camp\u2019s staff before the session starts. For instance, let camp counselors or directors know if your child has been diagnosed with a condition such as an Asperger\u2019s spectrum disorder or ADHD, if they have an aversion to something (such as getting wet or muddy), or if they\u2019re afraid of something (such as dogs, heights, or clowns). You should also alert staff if something stressful is going on in your household, such as a recent move, the death of a loved one, or a divorce \u2013 or even if your child is just having a bad day or didn\u2019t get enough sleep the previous night. The more information counselors have, the better they can help your child feel comfortable at camp.<\/p>\n

Tamar adds that it\u2019s important to remember that summer camps are not an extension of school, and many are not equipped to make the same accommodations as schools do. If your child needs a great deal of modifications, consider seeking out a camp that advertises an expertise in working with children who have special needs. Find out more about camps that serve kids with special needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prepare for the First Day of Summer Camp<\/h3>\n

Day One at summer camp usually means plenty of paperwork, traffic snarls in the parking area, parents with questions, and very young siblings running around wreaking havoc as only toddlers can do. If your child is already anxious, all of this won\u2019t help. That\u2019s why Tamar suggests making an extra effort to start the first day of camp with a positive attitude. If you\u2019re anxious or stressed, your kids will pick up on that, but if you\u2019re calm, they\u2019ll be more likely to mirror some of your happy-go-lucky approach. Try this pre-camp preparation strategy:<\/p>\n