First Day Of Summer Camp
This Summer my three year-old daughter is going to camp for the first time.
For the past few weeks she nervously anticipated her first day and constantly inquired about who would be picking her up, what color van she would be riding in, who her counselor would be, where the camp would be located, and what kind of arts and crafts she would be able to do. A few days before camp started, she broke down crying. I drove her over to show her the large blue passenger van that would be picking her up each morning and explained to her that I too was nervous before the first day of camp when I was a little boy.
On Sunday evening, we attended an orientation BBQ and she had the opportunity to meet her counselors for the first time. Even this, however, did not seemed to calm her fears and before she went to bed that night she very nervous for the next day.
On Monday morning before the van picked her up at 8:45 she was screaming and crying that she did not want to go. My wife took her outside and gave her a candy necklace while they waited. And, what do you know.....it worked. She got into the van willingly, and without a fuss.
She came home from her first day at camp and was absolutely esctatic; for two hours straight she went on and on and on about all the things they got to do. Before she went to bed she told us, "I get to go to camp again tomorrow!"
(Image courtesy of Camp Gan Israel)
5 Comments:
Glad she adjusted. The orientation b-b-q is a rather good idea, too.
My youngest(6 1/2) was going to camp for the first time. For weeks he was excited, counting the days till senior kindergarten was over and camp would start. It's all he talked about.
About four days before camp began (yesterday) he began to get anxious: "Do I have to go to camp?...I don't want to go to camp...On the first day when the bus comes, I don't want to go to camp..."
His brother and sister convinced him it would be okay, told him about the "exciting" stuff they do at camp, they'd ride the bus with him, his school friends would be with him at camp, and he was less reluctant when the bus came yesterday morning for pickup. And yes, by the time he got home, he was ECSTATIC about his first day!
(ASJ: I was going to post yesterday a.m. about the first day of camp, but didn't get around to it 'cause my computer froze.)
For the first time in like 4 years, my kids are not in GCI. We loved it. It is a little different depending where you live. Your kids went to one in Indanapolis. My wife is a Gan Israel product as well. Enjoy seeing your daughter enjoy herself.
Pearl: I am looking forward to reading your posting.
Neil: I don't live in Indianapolis. What made you assume that?
B"H Your daughter is very smart. She asked good questions. A loving daughter should not go away from her parents without going through 'separation anxiety'. As she should, she loves her home and her parents. I think it is admirable that you share those 'special moments' with your daughter. Engaging her in conversation about her 'issues' is ideal. Little girls usually love their daddies, and your attention to her will enable her to grow up well-adjusted BE"H.
She has just gotten over another hurdle in development. These are the wonderful years of 'making memories' that will enrich both your lives enormously. You are very blessed, indeed. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate your warm words, Neshama. Have a good Shabbos.
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