Transitioning to 3 weeks...

We are very excited for our upcoming 2021 summer! As many of you know, this summer we are switching to 3 week sessions. We decided to do this for a multitude of reasons...

• Camps that offer longer term programming allow for campers to bond with their counselors and other campers in a deeper way. After this past year of less social interaction due to camps, school and other activities being closed, we want to ensure a program that can help make up for some of that lost time
• Our goal is to create a consistent, routine driven camp program that both our campers and staff can benefit from and learn to trust. By making all of our sessions uniform, we will be better equipped to problem solve and create meaningful connections with our campers while still providing for the safest environment we can. 
• With a smaller initial enrollment due to health department restrictions, we are able to offer a more personal experience for your camper. 
• To learn more about why we switched to 3 week sessions checkout this resource on our website!

We wanted to get a camper's perspective on this change. Many of our campers are very excited for the extra time at cmap, and others are a nervous about coming to Foley for longer than they have in the past. These include campers who have been one-weekers and two-weekers. 

On the other hand we have campers who have done this transition already. It's very common for camper to go from 1 or 2 week sessions to 4 weeks. We reached out to some campers who have done this transition and asked them what advice they have for campers making this jump to 3 weeks for the first time...

To combat homesickness

"I don't get very homesick, but I do know it was helpful to have things from home. I brought photos and little important things that were important to me, and I could look at them and know was waiting for me. And I'm so glad that camp is longer, because you get to spend so much more time with people you don't really get to see. Really just enjoy it, because it's going to be a huge part of your childhood memories later on." - Ellie O. (13) a camper coming for 6 weeks this summer

Packing essentials

"So my biggest tips for attending camp for 3 weeks would definitely be to not over pack but definitely do not under pack. With my few years at camp I have learned you will go through clothes pretty quickly whether that be because of a spaghetti stain or your sweatpants got soaked. I would follow the carefully packing list and then add on a couple extra of each things. The biggest thing is having a few pairs of swimsuits because it’s always nice to have a pair of good smelling swimsuits. you can only air dry them before they smell like dry lake water haha. Extra socks are a must as they get dirty and sometimes trashed . All in all I'd say for sure just throw a few extra of everything in that bag. except for things you might not use like a rain coat... as far as church clothes go i always bring a church outfit for 2 sessions of mass. as sometimes during the outdoor dinners get a little messy. but within the 3 weeks just a little extra of it all!!" - Jeff R. (15), camper coming for 3 weeks

Dealing with the length of the session

"The important thing I think is not to think of it as 3 weeks of camp, but just 1 extra week or one extra sign up, which is something we all want by the end of camp anyway! I would tell other campers if they are nervous to know they aren't the only ones that are and we will all be together. Tell your friends and counselors when you get sad or homesick and they can help you alot!" - 14 year old camper coming for 3 weeks (asked to remain anonymous)

Here are also some tips for parents to prepare your camper for this upcoming summer...

• 
  Include your child in the packing process. They will get more excited for camp if they have some agency in what they get to bring with them
• Talk through homesickness with them and some strategies they can use when the feeling comes up at camp. It is nothing to be embarrassed about and is completely normal
• Discuss how your camper felt when they had a sleepover with friends or staying at Grandma's house, they have been independent in the past and can totally spend 3 weeks at camp!
• Make a letter writing packet with your camper. Include pre-addressed stamped envelopes, pencil/pen, paper, etc. You could mail a letter to your child a couple of days before they leave.

We can't wait to see all our campers this summer and hope these tips and tricks from us and our campers will help. I want to leave you with this quote by C. JoyBell...

 "The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn"

Don't be afraid of change, embrace it! Together our whole Foley family will make 2021 the best summer yet!

A cure for homesickness?

Hey Parents! It may only be January, but school (online or otherwise) will be over before you know it and soon you'll be packing the kids up to come to Camp Foley! While everyone is super excited right now, including us, a very common ailment that can strike campers when they least expect it is homesickness. Its a natural feeling, especially for our campers who are coming to camp for the first time.

But is there a cure for homesickness? The short answer is no, but there are many methods for helping relieve some stress and fear that comes with coming to an overnight camp. Check out some tips on how to stop homesickness in its tracks...

• Include your child in the planning process. Have your child describe the geographic location where they would like to go to camp and what kind of activities they would like to participate in
• Talk it out. Tell your child that while they might get homesick, you believe they can get through the sad feelings if they keep themselves busy, talk to their counselors and try to make friends. Try to avoid spreading any feelings of sadness or anxiety you may be feeling over them going to camp
• Create stamped envelopes addressed to home so your child can send you letters once a week updating you on how they are doing
• Get excited with your child. Talk about all the activities that they will experience during camp and ask them which ones they are looking forward to the most

Check out this article for more tips to prepare your child for camp. And at the end of the day remember that homesickness is completely normal, and actually a good sign! It means your child misses the happy safe home you created for them. They may not understand how important learning to be comfortable leaving home might help them in the long run, you can take comfort in knowing you are giving your child the tools to develop independence and confidence that will help them for the rest of their lives. 

TBT: Katie McGuire Was Once Homesick!

Katie and Molly on staff in 2012.

If you know Katie McGuire (longtime camper and third-year counselor), you know how much she loves camp. Camp, Creighton Bluejays and Jerseys & Jordans -  that pretty much sums up Katie's passions. She loves camp so much, it's hard to believe that even she once struggled with homesickness! It happens to almost everyone, so don't feel bad if you get a little homesick. Here is Katie's Throwback Thursday story. And this summer, if you ever find yourself a little homesick, track down Katie and I'm sure she can help you out!

The first time I went to camp it was 3rd session 2004. I came with my cousins Shannon (11), Molly (10-like me), Megan (8), and Emily (7.) Shannon and Molly had come for a few years before, so I had heard all about Foley prior to my arrival. Many memories I have from my first few years are blurry or skewed, but I remember my first night like it was yesterday. 

My stomach had been in knots all day; I had never learned so many things or met so many people all at once in my whole life. I finally felt comfortable during campfire and enjoyed the energy everyone had. For the last song, just like we still close campfire, we sang taps. I didn't know the words, but I could go along with the hand motions. Listening to that song, in silence of the woods, I had never felt so at peace. 

Katie, Molly and cabin Micmac in 2004.

The quiet walk back helped me digest the day. Even though I had started to feel more comfortable, I was still apprehensive as we got ready for bed and did high-lows. Once flashlight time was over, it hit me that I was not going to be at home for two weeks, I had never spent even a quarter of that time away from my parents. I became homesick and cried until I fell asleep. 

The next morning, I told Molly how I was sad because I missed my family. She told me that I didn't need to be homesick because these people would become my family, and this place would become my home. Molly McGuire at the young age of ten was wise beyond her years (she was basically as wise then as she is now... she peaked early). 

Katie and Molly as CITs
in 2009.

And it turns out what Molly said was right. Because of her, and her wise words, I am about to start my 10th consecutive year at Foley. 

So if you are a parent or kid sitting at home wondering if it’s the right time to go to overnight camp, trusts me — it’s the right time. If you’re 8 or 16 or anywhere in between, sign up because you don’t want to miss any more chances to spend your summer in paradise. We promise we will never run out of room in the Foley Family; you can be part of it too!

Were you ever homesick at camp? How did you cope with it? Hopefully you had someone like Molly to help!