Tips and Tools for

New Campers

Leaving Home Can be Scary

Leaving home for the first time – without your parents – is a big developmental step. It’s normal for kids to worry about missing family and the routines of home, especially at bedtime.

To help your child get ready for overnight camp, first listen well to all their worries and then assure them that a little homesickness is normal at the beginning. It helps to hear that it happens to lots of people!

How to Help Your New Camper Feel Better About Camp

Help them figure out a few strategies in advance – like bringing pictures of family to look at, or maybe counting down days on a calendar. Reassure them that they will make new friends at camp, and that their counsellors will be there to cheer them up when they feel a little homesick, and that you have full confidence in them.

It also helps to involve them as much as possible in getting ready for camp – from camp shopping, labelling stuff and packing, to practicing new skills, like showering instead of taking a bath, or swimming in a lake.

Why It’s Important for Parents to Keep Your Own Worries Private

Keep your own fear and worries private – it may be hard for you to feel good about letting go, but they need to hear that you’re okay with this change, and that you’re 100% confident that they’ll thrive at camp. The support you’ll give your child before camp will make the world of difference to their successful adjustment to camp.

Talk to parents who’ve experienced the camp transition. That can help calm some of your worries. They survived this transition – and so will you! If you would like contact info for other families in your area who have sent their kids to camp email [email protected].

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International Campers

Our wonderful community includes campers and staff from all over the world. Coming to Arowhon allows international campers to experience the unique Canadian wilderness, make new friends in a supportive and inclusive environment, and develop their independence. Our international campers also bring important perspectives and diversity that enrich our community. When our international campers come back year after year, they get to reunite with their Canadian friends at Arowhon!

International campers can rent an ‘international package’ for their stay at camp. This package includes all bedding, towels, a lifejacket, and a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and dry bag (for canoe trip). You can also purchase health insurance through camp for your child’s stay.

Camp Arowhon offers supervised airport transfers for international campers. Friendly Camp Arowhon staff will meet each camper at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and supervise their transport to camp on a private bus. After camp, our staff accompany campers on a private bus back to Toronto Pearson International Airport, and drop off each international camper for their flight, including checking them in as unaccompanied minors. Click HERE For detailed information on our airport service and when to book their flights for.

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