Happy Nice Mall

Our summer camp series is back with our latest episode – read the first post about Here are Tips for Sending Kids to Camp — Where we chatted with Carter Breazale, the camp director of the Alpine Camp for Boys in Alabama. Carter’s family formed Alpine Camp for Men More than 50 years ago and she grew up in the “camping world” – bringing with her a unique perspective as not only a camp director but also a former camper and mother. As with our first post, hopefully if you send your child to summer camp this year, you’ll feel more prepared and confident reading what Carter had to say!

Today we’re asking Carter for tips on quitting camp (which we know can be emotional for kids and parents alike!) and as camp continues. We know that being apart for a week or longer can be tough on both parties, so read on for Carter’s wisdom on how to manage everything!

Do you have a general tip for leaving the camp?

If you need to spend the night before in the campsite, book as soon as possible. Towns close to the camp may have limited hotel and Airbnb options. And with so many families coming to drop off at camp, places can fill up fast.

Read all dropout information, even if you’re a returning camp parent. Sometimes camps make changes to improve the process, and it’s helpful for every parent to come to camp prepared.

Since it’ll be easier to forget something, it’ll make your move easier if you don’t have a lot of loose items – and don’t have to do a ton of trips in the car. The only thing I think is useful to keep out is a pillow that your child can grab to run to get his bunk bed.

As you drop your child off, you may run into a college roommate or best friend from when you were a camper. Introduce your children to each other, visit for a minute, and then schedule a lunch meeting after you leave camp so you can make a longer visit (not when your child is trying to settle into their kennel). Sometimes I get so caught up in talking to other parents that I overlook what a big day it is for my own kids!

Bottom line: Don’t linger! It’s much easier for campers to get used to camping life after the parents are gone!

What should you say in a letter to your camper?

My mother-in-law was great when it comes to camp letters! When my husband and brother were campers, she wrote about how boring the house was and all they did was take their little sister to the grocery store. This gave them no reason to yearn for home.

You will know best what your child needs to hear. They may need to remind you how proud you are of them for going camping. They may also have a younger sibling at camp who they need to remember to talk to and check in, so it’s good to remind them of that too.

Do you advise children to talk about what to do when they see or experience something they don’t like or inappropriate? Are you sure they know who to go to if they can’t call the house?

Definitely! This is one of the most important things – is your child going to a one-day sports camp, a one-week church camp, or a vacation for a longer camp stay? As parents, it’s really important that we talk to our children with an adult they trust (such as their advisor, senior counselor, camp director, etc.) when they see or encounter something that is bothering them. I tell the campers where my husband and I sit in the dining room and they can always come and find us for a meal. One of the best lessons you can teach your kids is how to defend themselves.

Do you have any advice about camping packages and/or letters?

Every camp is different. Our camp has no package policy. Just be sure to read your camp’s package policy information.

I love collecting greeting cards throughout the year to send my girls while they’re at camp. E. Frances has some really cute “little notes” which are picture cards. Sometimes I paste them into a letter with a verse or quote on them.

We have a camp family of three siblings, and every summer their grandparents send a letter with tons of questions about camp, leaving blanks for them to answer. Who in your cabin will ask them everything? Where are they from? What is one of the new foods you tried at camp? What is something new you learned? What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at camp? These will also be treasures to keep for years to come.

Sometimes parents send really funny letters or postcards from family pets!

Especially for younger children, sending pre-addressed envelopes to parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends can really help! Just make sure they know where to put the stamp. I’ve seen kids try to seal an envelope with a stamp! Remember: If you don’t get a ton of letters, it probably means they’re having a lot of fun!

Some camps have a service where you can email your camper (they’ll probably just reply with snail mail). Emailing can be great – especially if you’re out of town. But be sure and send both emails and letters. I found that most of the kids really like and prefer letters!

If they write Eve anything about it, know that you can call the camp office.

Do you have any resources you can share with parents?

I love that DoSayGive has shared so many thoughtful posts on good literature! I wanted to share some of my favorite books with you.

The Last Child in the Forest by Richard Louv — Reiterates the importance of children being outside in nature.

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims — just reading this title is good for all of us as parents, as a reminder that we are raising children to grow up and fly out of our nests!

Skinned Knee Blessing by Wendy Mogel — again, it would be good for us to just think about the title! A nice reminder that we don’t have to be helicopter parents. Our children will learn and grow better when situations are not perfect!

once a wardrobe by Pattie Callahan – A work of fiction about CS Lewis. Through stories about a brother and sister duo and CS Lewis and his brother, the book reflects on how childhood experiences and adult influence affect children. Working at the camp and sending my own kids to camp gave me a new sense of purpose.

roxaboxen by Alice McLerran — a favorite children’s book in our house. I first heard about this classic when I was a cabin counselor, and then my own kids studied it in elementary school and they had a whole curriculum to create their own Roxaboxen. Your kids can build their own house in your backyard with their friends. All you need is a really good imagination!

What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner — a great tool to help children overcome anxiety and anxiety. There are a total of 12 “What To Do Guides” for children. I have a few of them on hand in my camp office!

I also hold multiple copies of the following books:

Every Moment is Sacred, Kind and Humble, Jesus Storybook Bible and Thoughts That Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones, by Catherine Vos Child’s Story Bible, Narnia Diaries series, Swamp Owl Shell books by Jonathan Rogers, Cowboy Hank, Shel Silverstein poetry booksand Where is Waldo.

Thanks again Carter for sharing these great tips for sending the kids to summer camp!

About Carter Breazeale: Carter Breazeale and her husband, Glenn, since 2006 Alpine Camp Managers for Men On top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama. Carter grew up in Alpine, where her family started in 1959, and after working as a staff for girls at many summer camps and Camp DeSoto, as a consultant and later as administrative staff, returned to Alpine as a second-generation director. He and Glenn have twin daughters who love to live in the mountains year-round.

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