Preparing Your Child

Dear Parents,

Getting ready for camp is always an exciting and sometimes stressful time. To try to make your preparation a little easier we have put together a few tips that we hope will be helpful as youprepare for your week at MiVoden. Please take time to go over the list and make sure your child has everything they will need for great week at Camp MiVoden.

Registrations Reminder-Campers are pre-registered for their classes on a first come first servedbasis. Registration for all camps is from 2:30-5:30pm each Sunday of the summer. (Hint: Avoid the long "long line" by coming after 3:30pm) Sorry, registration cannot begin earlier. Those whohave their accounts paid in full will be given priority during registration. The first meal at campis Sunday evening. The meal charge for guests not registered at camp is $6.50. Reservations are required by Tuesday for weekend meals.

Packing List - Note: Use a permanent marker to write your camper's name on every item. Packing List

Medication
Send in original bottles, along with with dosage instructions, to the camp nurse. Your medical release form should list all medications.

Food
While sending a lot of candy seems to be an easy thing to do, we discourage this since too much candy can bread down a child's resistance to sickness and in some children it affects their behavior negatively. Also, stashes of candy in cabins attracts rodents and insects.

Spending Money
MiVoden operates a camp store that sells shirts, personal items, Christian books, hats, jackets, gifts, etc. and a few juice and ice-cream bar options. Most children spend between $25 and $75 at the store during their week at camp. One-T-shirt is about $10-$12 (sweatshirts, jackets etc..are more) and a hat is around $9.

Should anything be left behind?
Our desire is to create an environment that is safe and conducive to positive spiritual and personal growth. In addition, our campers are in a physically active program and some kinds of dress couldbe a hazard to those wearing it. We realize there are a variety of perspectives on appropriate music, entertainment and dress. To make the environment as comfortable and safe as possible, for as many campers as possible, we ask that you review the "What Not To Bring List." If brought to camp they could/will be confiscated until the end of the week.

Mail Call: Campers love letters and packages! Send them early in the week, stating which camp they're attending. Mailing address: Camp MiVoden, 17415 E.Hayden Lake Rd., Hayden Lake, ID 83835. E-mails are delivered with daily mail. Send correspondence to camper@mivoden.com with your camper's name in the "Subject" area.

Lost and Found Items
Lost items remain at camp until September 15 and then are donated to charity. MiVoden is notresponsible for lost or stolen items.

Helping Your Child Cope at Camp

Over the years, American Camping Association camps have helped many parents and campers copewith an away-from-home camp experience. ACA and Dr. Muchnick, a psychologist who worksextensively with summer camp staffs, provided the following coping tips to consider before yourchild leaves for camp:

If possible, visit the camp ahead of time so that your child will be familiar with the cabins and other general surroundings.

Consider arranging for a first-time camper to attend with a close friend, relative, or camp "buddy."

Do not tell your child in advance that you will "rescue" him/her from camp if he/she doesn't like it.

Discuss what camp will be like well before your child leaves, acknowledging feelings; consider role-playing anticipated camp situations such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom.

Send a letter to your child before camp begins so he/she will have a letter waiting for his/her arrival.

Allow your child to pack a favorite stuffed animal and/or picture so that your child will have a reminder of home.

If adjustment problems (such as homesickness) do occur while your child is at camp:

Talk candidly with the camp director to obtain his/her perception of your child's adjustment.

Resist the temptation to "rescue" your son or daugher from this experience. Acknowledge your child's feelings and communicate your love. You might say, "If you still feelthis way in two days, we'll discuss what we can do."

Support your child's efforts to work out the problems with the help of the camp staff.

Remind him/her, if necessary, that he/she has made a commitment.Trust your instincts.

The occasional child who is truly not enjoying anything, having a miserabletime and not adjusting to camp life at all should be allowed to return home after a reasonable amount of time and effort.