West Newsmagazine 2-21-18

FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
It’s time to talk camp
So you want to send your kid to camp.
Wonderful! But remember, you’re not the
one attending that week of day camp or
two-week sleep-away program.
Picking a camp for your child really
has to be a two-way street, a conversation
between parent and child that leads to a
mutually agreeable and enviably fun place
in the sun.
Start talking now. Even before the
tulips of spring burst open in your garden,
it’s time to talk camps. Good camps fill up
fast and, no matter what type of experience
you are seeking, you want to get the best
one that you can.
Ask tough questions and encourage
honest answers. Maybe you loved heading
to some remote piece of pine-laden property
in Michigan each summer to climb up
hills and row canoes, but your child might
prefer to spend his or her summer learning
how to code. Sometimes the hardest question
a parent can ask is “What do you want
to do this summer?” Likewise, it can be difficult
for a child to say, “I know you loved
Camp Whatch-a-macallit, but even though
you say that I’ll have ‘the time of my life’
and that I spend ‘way too much time on the
computer already,’ what I really want to do
is stay in town and learn to code.” So, hold
February 21, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
back on your dreams of summer camp until
you have really listened to what your child
wants to do. Maybe there’s a compromise
to be made – perhaps a week of traditional
camping, followed by a week of non-traditional
camp, or maybe a traditional camp
setting that offers both high-tech and lowtech
experiences in equal measure.
Remember that all kids are not created
equal. Just because your eldest child
experienced no homesickness or vice
versa, doesn’t mean your youngest won’t.
Younger siblings often try to follow in the
big brother’s or sister’s footsteps, which
can lead to some great experiences and
wonderful results, but the opposite also can
be true. When talking with your child about
his or her potential camp experience, try to
keep sibling references to a minimum.
I SUMMER CAMPS & OPPORTUNITIES I 19
Ackermann’s
Swim Program
Teaching children
ages 4 to11
in Kirkwood
since 1949
May 22 - Aug 10
One and two week sessions.
Monday through Friday.
Hours 9:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4 heated pools
with different water levels.
Drop off and Pick up at curb
www.aspkirkood.com
Call: 314-821-1070
1044 Curran Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122
ENROLLING NOW
Countryside
Montessori School
12226 Ladue Road
Creve Coeur
Summer Camp
Give Your Child a
Summer to Remember
June 4 th -August 10 th
Ages 1-6
Daily Pony Rides
Montessori Activities
Arts & Crafts
Daily Swimming
& Water Play
Half Day, Full Day &
Extended Care Available
Hours: 7:00am - 5:30pm
Also Enrolling for Fall 2018
Call 314-434-2821
for registration materials!
www.montessori4children.com
Gauging your child’s readiness
Sending your child to camp is a valuable
investment, but one that should be made
when the time is right. It may be difficult to
gauge if your child is ready and, if so, when
and where to send them? The American
Camp Association recommends answering
these questions to help ease the process:
• How old is your child? Children under
age 7 may not adjust easily to being away
from home. Consider a day camp experience
to prepare them for an overnight
camp in the future.
• How did your child become interested
in camp? How often does your child
talk about camp and camp activities? How
much persuasion is necessary from you?
• Has your child had positive overnight
experiences away from home? How
has your child responded to overnight or
extended visits with relatives or friends?
Were these separations easy or difficult?
• What does your child expect to do at
camp? Learn about the camp experience
ahead of time with your child and help
create positive expectations. Highlight
things you think they may enjoy; explain
things that may be unfamiliar.
• Are you able to share consistent and
positive messages about camp? Your
confidence in a positive experience will be
contagious. If you are excited, your child
will be in return.
Mull over these questions with your
child. Are they ready? If so, next consider
what kind of camp is best for your child.
The American Camping Association recommends
considering these aspects to
narrow down your options: Near or far?
Short or long session? Girls only, boys only
or co-ed? Traditional, specialty or special
needs?
summer adventures
June 4 - August 10
Our day camp offers packages that
include Technology, Science, Sports,
Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, and
Outdoor Recreation – combined with
swimming and field trips, all packages
are designed to accommodate each
child’s interests and talents.
with friends!
• Preschool Half Day Summer Camp
• Kindergarten thru 6th Grade Full Day Camp
• Open 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Fees include - Before Care, After Care,
Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Field Trips
• Outdoor Swimming Pool on Campus
• Low Counselor to Camper Ratio
A TRADITIONAL, PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
For more information call 314.878.1883
ACT NOW. AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED.
Open House
February 22
5:30-6:30 p.m.
888 North Mason Road | Creve Coeur | 63141 | AndrewsAcademy.com