Camper Communication

HOW DO CAMPERS AND PARENTS STAY IN TOUCH OVER THE SUMMER?

We simply love that camp provides kids with the opportunity to gain independence and take a break from the “hyper-connectivity” of city life, but also appreciate the need for campers and parents to stay in touch over the summer.  It has been noted that the tradition of opening a hand-written letter from home is a unique camp experience for children in these fast paced times.  There are those who believe that, although our instincts as parents are to communicate with our child immediately, there is value to the time-delay of mail.  As such, we welcome and encourage families to continue to communicate with their campers via postal mail.  For more information on mail to and from Walden, click here.

On the contrary, so many families have expressed an interest in sending email to their campers, for various reasons.  In addition to the fact that sending emails is faster and more convenient for many, we also acknowledge the unpredictability of rural post offices, the number of parents who travel during the summer, and the number of our families living outside of Ontario or internationally.  In an effort to balance the valued perspectives of the experts with our desire to innovate, families can, if they choose, send emails to their camper(s).  These emails should be sent to campers@campwalden.ca with your camper’s name and cabin in the subject line.  As we do not allow campers access to computers, they cannot send emails, at least not in the conventional way… Intrigued?  You should be!  We have come up with a way to have your camper’s letters delivered straight to your inbox – click here to find out how!

An interesting read about the value of the written letter!
http://campspirit.com/2007/02/26/e-xcellent-mail-2007/

WHAT IF I RECEIVE A NEGATIVE LETTER FROM MY CHILD?

It is common for children to write letters home during what they feel is a difficult time and they may express feelings of homesickness or unhappiness. Often, by the time you receive the letter, they have resolved their problems on their own and have been enjoying camp since they mailed it. Even if this is the case, we encourage you to call the office and our office staff will direct your call to the appropriate person; one that is directly connected to your child and is capable of discussing their status. If there is a continuing problem, we will work together with you to help your child have a successful experience at camp. With your help, we will make decisions that best meet the unique needs of your child.

CAN CAMPERS CALL HOME?

Campers celebrating a birthday while at camp are encouraged to call home before breakfast (between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.) on the morning of their special day! Otherwise, we do not allow campers to make phone calls home during the summer. This is a policy that we feel supports the growth and development of independence in campers. Phone calls during the summer can undermine campers’ independence by breaking the continuity required for that independence. By contrast, letters take a few days to go back and forth, and so they actually foster independence and offer support at the same time. Preventing phone calls during the summer can also prevent homesickness. The experience at most summer camps is that phone contact between parents and children makes homesickness worse. When a child hears his mom’s or dad’s voice, it can arouse a deep longing for home. For that reason, we do not allow children to talk to their parents on the phone except in rare emergencies.