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Health & Fitness

Camp Visiting Day Do's and Don'ts for Parents

For parents of children who are attending overnight camp this summer, Visiting Day has been marked on the calendar since they put their child on the camp bus.    While this is an exciting day for families, parents should keep in mind that each camp has their own visiting day guidelines. The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey offers families the following do’s and don’ts for a successful visiting day and recommends that parents read the specific visiting day guidelines offered by their child’s camp.

Do arrive on time. 

Do read your camp’s policies on bringing outside food to camp.  Some camps have campers with severe food allergies and don’t allow outside food on camp grounds.

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Do limit the amount of food you bring to camp on visiting day if your camp allows it. Many camps will only allow your child to keep the food until the end of the day or only one day after visiting day so excess food is wasteful.

Do respect the no tipping staff policy if the camp has one.

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Do follow the camp’s policy on bunk gifts.  If your camp doesn’t allow them, respect the rule. 

Do be a good sport and participate in activities that the camp has planned for the day.

Don’t take your child off camp grounds if the policy is to stay at camp.

Don’t tell your child about all the things they are missing at home while they are at camp.  This can make a child feel homesick after you leave. 

Don’t bring banned items which can include cell phones, ipads, Gameboys, and cameras that record video.

Don’t make pick up deals with your child.  Put the camp time frame in perspective for your child if you sense he or she is missing home.  Let them know you are confident that staying at camp will be a great experience.

Don’t bring numerous people to camp.  The purpose of visiting day is to spend time with your child and to see your child in the camp environment.

Don’t bring very young infants or toddlers if you think the day will be too long for them. 

Don’t bring pets if that is the camp policy. 

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