CAMP ARTICLES FOR KIDS

Here's Looking At You Kid. . .!

A Breath Of Fresh Air. . .

Winona Who?

Guess Who Went To Camp!

Who They Are.........Where They Went.......

Care And Feed Of Your Braces At Camp

COUNSELOR'S FORUM: Ten Easy Steps To Being A Great Camper

How To Make Friends At Camp

Kids Questions/Answers

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HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU KID. . .!

Don't you just hate it when your glasses slip down your nose. . . and you can't do anything about it because you're too young to get contact lenses? Well, don't let it stop you from participating in whatever you want!

Glasses didn't stop baseball's "Mr. October," Reggie Jackson, from hitting five home runs (three in one game!) in the 1977 World Series. . .or Billie Jean King or Martina Navritalova from playing tennis. . .or Bob Griese from quarterbacking for football's Miami Dolphins. . .or Hale Irwin from winning golf's U.S. Open three times! They head a long list of professional athletes who have worn glasses while competing.

Of course many athletes wear contact lenses. In fact, a growing number, including N.Y. Giants Super Bowl quarterback Phil Simms, have had surgery called radial keratotomy to correct their vision so they no longer need glasses or contact lenses! In the meantime, wear whatever protective devices you, your parents, coach, and doctor agree will be best for you--and practice, practice, practice!

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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. . .

Don't let your asthma get you down. Did you know Olympic gold medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee (track and field), Greg Louganis (diving), and Bill Koch (cross country skiing) all suffer from asthma, too? So the next time you complain about having to go to the infirmary for a nebulizer treatment or you have to stop what you're doing to take a puff on your inhaler, think gold and remember--you're in good company!

WINONA WHO?

Not every celebrity grew up with the cool name they have today. For example, before changing her last name to Rider, the star of Little Women and Edward Scissorhands was known as Winona Horowitz . . .and Sting didn't get his nickname until he went to high school one day wearing a yellow and black sweater that his friends thought made him look like a killer bee. See if you can match these star names with their given ones.

Answers: 1-U; 2-Q; 3-0; 4-H; 5-S; 6-M; 7-N; 8-V; 9-D; 10-R; 11-B; 12-P; 13-F; 14-L; 15-T; 16-A; 17-I; 18-K; 19-E; 20-G; 21-J; 22-C.

GUESS WHO WENT TO CAMP!

Have you and your bunkmates ever wondered what happens to kids after their camping years have ended? Well, some grow up to be movie stars, like Andrew Shue, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dumb and Dumber star, Jeff Daniels. Some become Supreme Court Justices, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Others go on to television, like Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown) and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Seinfeld's pal Elaine). Others go to sports camps and grow up to be professional athletes, like Chicago Bulls star, Michael Jordan.

Some kids are famous even before they go to camp. Take Chelsea Clinton, the President's daughter. Chelsea often goes to academic camps. . .just like Cindy Crawford did. Maybe Chelsea goes to camp because her father, Bill Clinton, enjoyed his summers at camp learning to play the saxophone. But even if the President didn't make it as a musician, remember that Frank Lloyd Wright III (now Tre Cool of Green Day) played drums at camp one summer!

But don't stop at campers--take a look around at your counselors. Does a basketball coach look really good? Some people were lucky enough to have Golden State Warrior Bobby Hurley as a counselor. After he stopped being a camper, Chris Farley, the star of Tommy Boy, was a counselor. And the next time you see one of Chevy Chase's movies, keep in mind that when he was a camp counselor he learned how much great fun a summer can be!

WHO THEY ARE.........WHERE THEY WENT.......

Letita Baldridge, "Miss Manners"	Arcadia Camp
Candice Bergen, "Murphy Brown" actress	Orme Ranch Camp
George W. Bush, Governor of Texas	Camp Longhorn
Bill Clinton, US President	University of Arkansas Music Camp
Chelsea Clinton, President's daughter	US Space Camp, Sea World Camp, Concordia Language Villages
Tre Cool, Green Day drummer	Camp Winnarainbow
Cindy Crawford, model	US Air Force Academy Science Camp
Jeff Daniels, "Dumb and Dumber" star	Bruin Lake Boy Scout Camp
Robert Downey, Jr., actor	Stagedoor Manor
Bob Dylan, folk singer	Herzl Camp
Chris Farley, Tommy Boy star	Timberlane (Wisconsin)
Dustin Hoffman, Oscar-winning actor	Perry-Mansfield School of Theater and Dance
Tom Hulce, Oscar-nominated actor	Interlochen Arts Camp
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls star	Five Star Basketball Camp
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, "Seinfeld" actress	Sidwell Friends Tennis Camp
Conan O'Brien, TV host	Cragged Mountain Farm
Beverly Sills, opera star	Camp Lincoln and Laurel
Charlie Sheen, star of "Hot Shots" and Major League" movies	Mickey Owen Baseball Camp
Helen Slater, actress	Stagedoor Manor
Stephen Sondheim, composer	Camp Androscoggin
Mike Wallace, TV's "60 Minutes" host	Interlochen Arts Camp

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THE CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR BRACES AT CAMP

It doesn't matter whether it happens during your first year at camp or your fifth year--if it's the first time for your braces, you may want to speak to your orthodontist about special instructions to follow while away at camp.

Dr. Angelo Ninnivaggi, a New Jersey-based orthodontist, says that there is generally no reason why braces should prevent someone from going away for the summer. "As long as everything is stable," he says, "braces should never stop a kid from going away to camp."

What does "stable" mean? According to Dr. Ninnivaggi, "Stable means that no new treatment has been started." You should be used to your braces before camp. On the other hand, Dr. Ninnivaggi doesn't recommend removing braces right before going away to camp. "A retainer takes getting used to," he says.

Fortunately, braces don't require much luggage--just pack additional toothbrushes. The important thing is to maintain clean teeth while you are away. Dr. Ninnivaggi also suggests that you pack some wax in case you break a wire. If this happens, tell your counselor so the camp can arrange for you to see a local orthodontist who can clip a wire or re-cement a bracket. The main thing is for you to be comfortable until you resume your regular schedule with your family orthodontist.

As far as food goes, the same rules apply both at camp and home: avoid sticky, chewy, hard food. And the single most important advice Dr. Ninnivaggi has? "Have fun!"

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COUNSELOR'S FORUM: TEN EASY STEPS TO BEING A GREAT CAMPER

You're away at camp and you want to make this summer the best ever! How can you be sure you'll have a great summer? By being a great camper! And how do you become a great camper? We spoke to a panel of experts--four people who've been camping since they were five years old, and then went on to become counselors. Here's their list of things to do to make sure you'll be a great camper and have a great summer!

1. Be enthusiastic and excited. You should want to be at camp--and show it.

 

2. Don't be afraid to try new things. Experiment and explore areas you've never tried before. Don't limit yourself to only those things that you know you're good at. You're at camp to learn and expand your horizons.

 

3. Try to be well-rounded. Try to do your best in all things. If you're a sports nut, now is your chance to try your hand at arts and crafts.

 

4. Participate. Don't look for reasons to avoid activities. It's never too hot or too rainy to have fun!

 

5. Express yourself. Don't hold back. Don't be afraid to say how you're feeling.

 

6. Be willing to be nice to everyone. Try to get along with others.

 

7. Be open-minded about others. Make friends with different groups of kids.

 

8. Don't make fun of other kids. Reach out and include them.

 

9. Be independent. Learn to do things for yourself. Have confidence in yourself.

 

10. Be cooperative.

And while you're looking at ways to measure up to your counselors, here are some important things your counselors strive for:

1. Be a big brother or sister.

 

2. Be mature.

 

3. Be someone to look up to and work with.

 

4. Care for and about you.

 

5. Motivate you.

Our counselors--Darren Raymar, Abigail Walsh, Brandon Raymar, and Jill Liebowitz--all feel that their experiences at camp helped prepare them for going to college. They knew how to take care of themselves, be independent, pace themselves, and adapt to different people and situations. When not at camp, Darren is a fourth grade teacher who is working on his doctorate, and Jill, Brandon, and Abby are in college at Rutgers University, Muhlenberg College, and the University of Maryland.

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HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AT CAMP

One of your friends has been talking about the camp that he goes to. It sounds like so much fun that you decide to go to camp this summer, too. Your friend loves to play tennis, so he goes to a tennis camp. You talk to him and some of your other friends who go to camp, and you read many camp brochures, see some camp videos, and even visit some camps with your parents. Finally, you and your family decide on a camp that has all the activities you like and want.

As summer approaches, you get excited about going. . .and then, all of a sudden, you realize you don't know anybody going to your camp! You have friends at home and at school, but you are a little worried about making new friends at camp. Don't be. Here are some suggestions on how to make new friends.

1. If you are going by bus with other campers, look for someone about your age and ask if you can sit next to them. Always smile, make eye contact, and say "Hi," when you introduce yourself. Even if this person doesn't become a friend, you now know someone at camp!

 

2. When meeting someone, repeating their name will make it easier to remember. You can say something like, "Katie, where do you go to school?" If you find that you're a little nervous, take a deep breath, try to speak slowly, make your voice clear, and take your time.

 

3. Find out what this new person has in common with you. Subjects to talk about might be sports, cars, favorite foods, school, musical instruments, skate boarding, movies, and TV shows. You can say something like, "Did you watch Home Improvement last week?"

 

4. Most kids want to have friends. Remember that kids are different; some like lots of friends, and some are happy with one best friend. Think about what kind of friendships you like.

 

5. Another way to make friends might be to approach someone and say something like, "Hi, I'm new at this camp. Can you help me find the swimming pool?" This statement doesn't put any pressure on you, and most people are willing to help a new camper. While walking to the swimming pool, you can talk about camp.

 

6. If you go to the sports field to play soccer and a group has already gathered, walk over to the group. Wait to be included--don't disturb the ongoing activity. Look for someone else who is just hanging around and approach them with a smile or nod.

 

7. When you go to camp, be prepared with a few jokes. If kids start telling jokes, you will have a few of your own to share. Why was the ghost crying? He fell down and got a boo-boo! Why did the skeleton go to the movies by himself? He had no BODY to go with! And remember the most important thing about friendship: to make a friend, you must be a friend.

Myra Pravda, RN, MSN is a registered nurse who has been a camp nurse for many years. She is the author of Off to Camp, a book about preparing to go to camp for the first time.

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KIDS QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

How much money should I bring to camp?

Very little. There is usually no place to spend money at camp. If there is a camp store or canteen, your parents will put money there for you to spend. Ask the camp director if there is a pop/soda machine that campers can use, or if you need money for camp trips.

Will I have ice cream at camp?

Yes. Most camps serve ice cream as dessert at some meals, at parties, and on special occasions.

Do I have to go to the doctor before I go to camp?

Probably. Most camps require a child to have a physical before camp. It is like the check-up you have before you play sports.

Will I need any shots to go to camp?

If all of your immunization shots are up to date, and most kid's are, you will not need any shots. If you are going to a travel camp that is leaving the United States, you should ask your camp director.

Can I be in a cabin with my friend?

Most likely yes, especially if your friend is your age. You must make this request to the camp director before camp starts. Both you and your friend should want to bunk together. If your friend is older or younger, it might be a problem.

Can I buy soda at camp?

Ask the camp director. Some camps have soda machines available to campers and some don't.

Can I call home?

Campers hear from their family and friends through the mail. Mail is delivered to you once a day. Parents like to read your letters as much as you like getting letters from them. Camps differ in their telephone rules. Check with the camp for more information.

Will I get homesick?

Just about everyone experiences different feelings when they are at camp, especially when they think about home. These feelings are normal. When you go to a new place it takes a few days to adjust. Once you get into the camp routine, camp will feel like "home." Talk about your feelings with your counselor.

Are there any books to read about overnight camp?

Yes, one good book about overnight camp is Off to Camp by Myra Pravda and Jeanne Weiland. Another one about deciding to go to camp is Pinky and Rex Go To Camp by J. Howe.

Should I take some books to camp?

Yes. Books with jokes and riddles, sports facts, short stories and several books that you enjoy reading. Comic books and magazines are good to pack or have your Mom send to you.

Do I need a flashlight?

Yes. You will be walking around in the dark. It is much darker at camp than in the city because there are no city lights.

Do I need a watch at camp?

Not really. Your counselors have watches. If you want a watch, be sure to take an inexpensive, waterproof one.

Do I have to make my bed?

Most camps require everyone to make their bed every morning. If you don't know how to put sheets on your bed and make it up, have your parents show you.

What's camp food like?

For the most part, good. Camps serve food that kids enjoy eating like pizza, tacos, spaghetti and meatballs, grilled cheese, etc. Most kids are pretty hungry at meals and like camp food.

What time do we have to get up in the morning?

Most camps begin wake-up between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. Ask the camp director.

What are s'mores?

S'mores are a treat you make around the campfire. You roast marshmallows over the fire and put them between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. Yummy! They are so good you want "some more."

What is cabin inspection?

Your cabin is checked for health and safety reasons. The inspector looks to see if the beds are made, clothes put away, floor is swept, porch is clean, wet clothes are hung on the clothes line, and nothing is blocking the exit.

What do I do if I feel sick?

All camps have a place to go if you are not feeling well. Some camps call the building the health center, others the infirmary. There is usually a nurse or health worker there to help you. Be sure to tell your counselor when you are ill.

Should I take a camera?

Yes, you want camp memories. Don't take an expensive camera. You might want to buy a disposable camera. Be sure to put your name on it with permanent ink.

When is "song session?"

Usually after meals. This is a good time for the song leader to teach new camp songs. You will sing songs around the campfire, when you are hiking, and just sitting around the cabin.