Day Camp or Spend the Night?

Day Camp programs allow both boys and girls to experience camp while spending the night at home. Campers bring their lunch from home, arrive each morning by 9:00 a.m., and return home each evening after 5:00 p.m.

Day Camp programs are open to boys and girls, ages 4-13. All Day Camp programs include a variety of traditional camp activities like crafts, nature, hikes, games, songs, sports, fishing, slip ¹n slide, and more. Each week will also include some specialized, age-appropriate camp activities like archery, climbing wall, tubing, ropes course, riflery, kayaking, and canoeing.

Only Totally Horses and Exclusively Equine Day Camp programs at Camp Coleman include horseback riding. Day Campers are introduced to camp activities, become comfortable with the layout of the campsite, experience working in a group, and get to know the camp staff. This helps them be better prepared for a Resident/Sleep-away experience.

For Resident or Sleep-away programs, campers usually arrive on Monday morning between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., spend two to four nights at camp, and leave between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the last day of the session.

Resident/Sleep-away camp programs are for girls only, ages 5-18. Some resident camp programs are sampler-type programs, designed to provide a wide range of activities and enabling campers to sample a variety of available programs. Others have a specific program focus and include activities that reflect that theme. In addition to these "headline" activities, every resident camp program includes traditional summer camp activities like swimming, hiking, crafts, nature, campfire, songs, and games.

Readiness for Resident/Sleep-away Camp

Most parents follow a progression to ensure the success of the camp experience. Most campers first attend a Day Camp program, Family Camp, Mom & Me, or Father/Daughter Camp. After this introduction to camping, many children are ready for a two- to three-night sampler-type Resident/Sleep-away session, then, perhaps, a full-week sampler or specialty Resident/Sleep-away program. After a good experience at a one-week program, campers may want to attend a two-week program or multiple sessions.

Although age is one factor in readiness for Resident/Sleep-away Camp, a child's maturity level and personality are more important indicators. Talk to your child. If she is enthusiastic about attending, she will probably enjoy camp. The following questions may help in determining readiness for Resident/Sleep-away Camp:

• Has your daughter ever been away from home for more than one night without family members?
• Can she keep up with her personal belongings?
• Can she take care of her own basic hygiene needs such as showering, toileting, and brushing her teeth without assistance?
• Can she cope with unfamiliar people, new places, and group schedules?
• Does she enjoy making new friends? Does she like group situations?
• Does she enjoy being outdoors? Can she see a bug, spider, or bee without screaming?

Am I Ready for My Daughter to Attend Resident Camp?

Parents sometimes have a hard time adjusting to the Resident/Sleep-away Camp experience. The following questions will help in your decision-making:

• Can you relax and enjoy yourself when your daughter sleeps overnight away from home?
• Are you prepared to be away from your daughter for several days?
• Are you willing to have your daughter participate in camp kapers (chores) such as setting tables, cleaning the cabin, sweeping, picking up trash, and cleaning the bathroom?
• Are you confident in your daughter's ability to take care of herself, make her own bed, and keep track of her own belongings?
• Do you believe that camp provides girls with a fun and rewarding experience that builds self-worth and independence?
• Are you willing to trust the camp staff with the care of your daughter?