At summer camp, the children’s cabin becomes their home away from home, where they can bond with their friends after a day full of exciting adventures. Since their stay at the cabin is often the first experience for many children living independently of their parents, the summer camp staff take pride in carefully matching campers with other children to suit their age level and interests. Knowing what to expect during your stay and what to bring will make your son or daughter’s cabin experience more comfortable.
Enjoy a warm welcome
Most first-time campers meet up with their cabin mates on the first day, making for a hectic couple of hours as returning campers greet their new friends with the kind of welcome a child can only receive at the camp. In a matter of minutes, the cabinmates are sharing laughter and camping stories as they begin to prepare their bunks. By the time night falls, everyone has had so much fun that it feels like they’ve been friends forever.
Get a sense of independence
Life in the cabin is a lot of fun, but it is also the first time that many children have to be responsible for their living space. Cabin mates work together to keep your cabin clean and tidy, although the missing sock is an inevitable part of camp life. Together, the campers work with their counselor to develop routines that allow all children to be a part of their cabin community. Cabin mates observe the same bedtime and create rituals like singing a song or telling stories every night when they gather in their bunks, making staying on track with their schedule fun.
Grow with guidance
Parents love knowing that an adult counselor, who has undergone specialized training in working with children, lives full time in the cabin to keep everyone safe. Cabin Counselors observe the same bedtime as the rest of the group and provide leadership and comfort to each member of the cabin. Newcomers know that they can speak to their counselor on any topic, and any feelings of homesickness are quickly relieved as everyone in the cabin provides encouragement and support. Over the years, many campers return to camp to take on the leadership role of a camp counselor, which means that most cabins have a counselor who remembers what it was like to go to summer camp as a child.
Make your cabin cozy
One of the best parts about the cabins at summer camp is that they really belong to the kids. Campers are encouraged to bring items from home that will add a personal touch to their bunk, such as duvets and pillows. Sleeping bags are always useful as they can be used to snuggle by a campfire or heat a bunk. For the first few days, the walls transform as children post photos of their family and friends, and the decor constantly changes as postcards and letters arrive in the mail.
The cabins are one of the most important buildings in the camp and serve as a base of operations where the children can seek comfort while learning to live more independently. Over time, campers begin to view their bunkmates as mini-families with inside jokes and memories forged within the comfort of their cabin walls. When your child comes home from camp, don’t be surprised if he suddenly starts singing at bedtime or starts calling everyone silly nicknames. That’s just part of cabin life at summer camp.