Develope Your Child's Confidence

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Confidence

For some children, going away to camp is an exciting adventure to look forward to and they just cannot wait! For others, the thought of being away from home presents more of a challenge.

Their fears might seem trivial to adults, but to a child these are very real. Will I be sad because I miss Mum and Dad too much? What will the food be like? Will the other kids like me? Will it be scary? Who is going to look after me if I'm sick or unhappy?

"A Kids Holiday Camp at one of our Centres is a tremendous opportunity for children," says Robert Ridley from NSW Sport and Recreation. "Coming to camp is in many ways a rite of passage, a chance to take steps into the bigger world. Going to camp is a great way for kids to build independence, develop self-esteem, learn about teamwork, make new friends and try different activities and experiences."

Qualified holiday staff are able to help kids discover hidden talents or aptitudes which often lead to positive life-changing experiences that affect all areas of their lives. Children receive the best instruction and supervision when they take part in fun, adventurous activities such as canoeing or abseiling. Most importantly, they are properly cared for and supported at all other times during the camp. The welfare of campers is paramount.

"To do this, our highly trained instructors deliver the adventurous activities, while our camp counsellors, who are the constant companions of campers, provide the social, emotional and physical support that helps kids to feel relaxed, safe and accepted for their whole stay at camp," says Mr Ridley.

From mealtimes to activities and with their fellow campers in their dormitories, Camp Counsellors are looking after the wellbeing of the group and the individuals that make up the group. They are the child's go-to person when at camp. Their role is to make sure that children feel safe within the group.

For example, some parents worry about homesickness and how their child will cope without them. Robert Ridley says staff at NSW Sport and Recreation Centres are trained to recognize the symptoms and intervene with a range of measures to make sure the child is treated respectfully and with empathy.

"We know that being homesick is a very natural feeling. Unfortunately, many children think homesickness is a weakness, something to be ashamed of," says Mr Ridley. "It's not something we dismiss lightly and every situation requires careful and considerate management. When children realize that their friends feel or have felt the same way, it helps them understand what a natural thing homesickness is. You mean you get homesick too? Many children find this to be a huge relief and are then able to focus more on the positive and enjoyable activities camp offers."

To help a child prepare for camp, it's a good idea for parents and carers to talk to them about their expectations, fears, and how they feel about being away from home. Sending a child to camp with a friend with whom they can share their experiences is another possibility.