MAKING NEW FRIENDS AT CAMP

1. MAKING NEW FRIENDS A MAKING NEW FRIENDS AT CAMP: IS IT EASY? T CAMP: IS IT EASY? One of the basic things which parents do to help their children learn to socialize and make new friends is to send them to day camp. They can be a Day Camp, an Overnight Camp or a Summer Camp, etc. Any camp is a great way to help children with their self-confidence. Research shows that kids who have been to camp are more self-assured than kids who did not get this opportunity. Above all, attending camp is a way to help you make new friends. However, most of the first-time campers are intimidated by feelings of being alone as well as anxious that they won’t be able to make any new friends. There may be many reasons for these feelings. WHY CAN MAKING NEW FRIENDS AT CAMP BE DIFFICULT? * Kids come from different neighborhoods: Usually in camps, kids come from various neighborhoods, cities and sometimes even from other states. Most of the kids do not know anyone else when they arrive. Socializing and getting to know new people…other children, counselors and staff…can be difficult for children as they are still developing and learning these skills. * Lack of social skills:

2. Many children may lack social skills at the age when they begin attending camps. Children are familiar and comfortable with faces they see every day. But getting to know new faces and people can be scary, awkward and sometimes difficult. * Over-attachment with parents: Feelings of attachment with parents is a good thing. However, when it exceeds a certain point, it is not good for a child. And since parents do not stay with their kids at camp, some of the children feel lost and insecure. Others might experience feelings of abandonment after they have been dropped off and watched their mommy and daddy drive away. * Scared of being alone: Many children may suffer from mild cases of Monophobia or, in simpler words, the fear of being alone. This is possible with the absence of parents and can lead to the inability of making new friends at camp. HOW CAN CHILDREN MAKE NEW FRIENDS AT CAMP? * Be yourself: Summer camp is one of the rare places in the world where being yourself is celebrated. Do not try to be something or someone you are not. If you just be yourself, you will find your group of friends in no time. * Start the conversation: Try to be the first one to start a conversation. A friendly smile and a simple “Hi” is a great beginning. Do not wait for the other person to start the conversation. They might be waiting for you.

3. * Keep the conversation going: Make sure to keep the conversation alive. Always have a topic up your sleeve to talk about. “Where do you live?” “What is your favorite food?” “What games do you like to play?” …And the list goes on. So, be yourself and remember that, if the other person isn’t talking a lot, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you. Some kids are just more shy than others. * Get involved: Get involved in the camp activities. If your roommates or bunkmates are playing a game, make sure you play your role in it as well. Don’t hold yourself back and miss all of the fun out of fear of being rejected.