Each summer parent want to know the best way to prepare their child for overnight summer camp. We often give advice like: do sleepovers, go with out a phone for a weekend or even practice with what if senerios. But over the 25 years that we have run camp it is often the parents that need to change their mindset about parenting. Parenting is not about keeping your child happy all the time, it is about helping them to overcome adversity and be a productive part of society. The below book we have found to be some of the best when it comes to raising your child to be their best.
THE SUMMER CAMP HANDBOOK: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FIND, CHOOSE AND GET READY FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP-AND SKIP THE HOMESICKNESS
By Christopher A. Thurber, Ph.D. and Jon C. Malinowski, Ph.D.
There are many sound suggestions to help children adjust to camp, prepare for leaving home, become more independent, and enjoy the camping experience. The book also includes lists of questions to ask, checklists of things to consider, suggestions for helping children cope and prepare for opening day, and the sidebars are intelligible and helpful.
HOMESICK AND HAPPY: HOW TIME AWAY FROM PARENTS CAN HELP A CHILD GROW
By Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp and why it is so important for children to get away from home….if only for a little while.
BULLYPROOF YOUR CHILD FOR LIFE: PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM TEASING, TAUNTING, AND BULLYING FOR GOOD
By Dr. Joel Haber, Ph.D. and Jenna Glatzer
This book delivers a practical, supportive, and step-by-step “bully proofing prescription.” It also provides specific steps to help children build resilience, confidence, compassion, and trust.
LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS: SAVING OUR CHILDREN FROM NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER
By Richard Louv
In Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv brings together cutting-edge studies that point to direct exposure to nature as essential for a child’s healthy physical and emotional development.
RAISING CAIN - PROTECTING THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF BOYS
By Dan Kindlon, Ph.D. and Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
What do boys need that they’re not getting? This book illuminates the forces that threaten our boys such as the idea that “cool” equals macho strength and stoicism. Cutting through outdated theories of “mother blame,” “boy biology,” and “testosterone,” the authors shed light on the destructive emotional training our boys receive - the emotional miseducation of boys.
THE CONFIDENCE CODE: TAKING RISKS, MESSING UP, AND BECOMING YOUR AMAZINGLY IMPERFECT, TOTALLY POWERFUL SELF
By Katty Kay, Claire Shipman, and Jill Ellyn Riley
Many girls are consumed by self-doubt on the inside, especially during the tween and teen years, but if they can crack the confidence code, they can learn how to set worries aside and focus their energy on what’s really important: confidently pursuing their dreams and embracing their authentic selves.
