DIRECTOR'S TOP TIPS for happy campers & Families

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Hi there! I'm Tasha Bekris, your Camp Director for 2023. 

I grew up attending St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Each summer of my childhood, I attended All Saints Camp and it's always been a very special place for me. I begin serving as a counselor at 16 (back in 2006 when you could do that!) and was a counselor until 2012. I served as co-director in 2019, ran our one-day camp program in 2021, and directed last year's All Saints Camp. I joined the All Saints Camp Board in 2020.

Outside of camp, I've been an educator for 10 years. I'm an alum of Gonzaga University (Go Zags!) and received my Masters from Loyola Marymount University. I started my teaching career with Teach For America, teaching middle school environmental science in Los Angeles, and taught 4th & 5th grades for four years in Everett, WA. For the past four years, I've taught STEAM (STEM + Art) K-5, which I absolutely love! It's important to me to bring new experiences to kids, foster a growth mindset, and help them discover what they're passionate about.

For me, this year's theme, Adventure Awaits, is more than about just being outdoors. It's about setting goals, facing challenges, having fun, and learning more about yourself and your faith in the process. I am so excited about our staff this year and the program we have planned for your campers. Take a moment to check out our Staff for 2023, and reach out if you have any questions at camp@allsaintscamp.com. 

I can't wait to meet your camper at All Saints Camp!

Need a summer activity to do before camp? Spend some time outdoors, break in those camp shoes, and practice going on a hike with your camper to get them excited!

Packing for camp can be a daunting task, but we've prepared a list that you and your camper can use to pack together here. Encouraging your camper to pack with you will help them know where everything is and you know exactly what they're bringing (and not bringing!) to camp. 

Find packing boring? Use a timer and turn it into a scavenger hunt! 

Have more than one camper going? Turn packing into a race!

Check your camper's bag for contraband items like electronic devices, candy, etc. and see the packing list for more information about what not to bring to camp. Check out our new kid-friendly printable packing checklist here. And, as much as we love doing our "Lost and Found Fashion Shows" at camp, we don't want your camper to lose their favorite sweatshirt - don't forget to label ALL of your camper's belongings! 

Homesickness happens to everyone at some point, and it's entirely normal. How you go about talking about homesickness with your camper will determine how they cope at camp, especially if it is their first camp experience.

• Know that homesickness isn’t entirely bad. It’s great to love your home! Homesickness is sometimes part of the process and it’s a huge confidence booster when a camper gets through it.
• Make a happy place plan and write it down. This is an amazing opportunity to learn a life skill. Today’s kids often go to technology to escape, and studies show this increases their stress. Some ideas to cope with homesickness might be: practice taking 10 deep breaths, traveling to a happy place in your mind, packing a certain stuffed animal, shooting hoops, tossing a football, or knowing they can talk to their counselor. They are capable of this independence!
• Your plan should NOT be, “Give it a couple of days and if you don’t like it, we will come get you.” This will set them up to give it a couple of days and knock the confidence right out of them.
• Let your camper know what to expect with correspondence. Calling camp to talk to your camper is not permitted unless there is an emergency as it can increase homesickness, but receiving letters can be a fun way to let them know you're thinking of them. You don’t need to write everyday, or send a care package, but let them know what to expect. Camper mail should include fun and positive reminders of home. Camper mail should NOT include bad news or changes of plans, as these are best expressed in person and should be communicated with staff before campers so as not to disrupt your camper's experience. 

Remembering that camp is a wonderful life experience, but just as in life, camp will have its highs and lows. Preparing campers ahead of time for understanding that camp is super fun and also comes with its challenges. Celebrating those challenges is important because that's where growth happens! 

Practice being flexible and following the group plan. At camp, we have set routines throughout the day, but life happens! Practice having a positive attitude and knowing when it's important to follow the group's plan, even when things don't go our way, when we lose a game, or when plans change. We have a variety of activities that are tons of fun, but not every child is going to love every activity one hundred percent of the time, and that's normal and okay! Practice going with the flow and know that fun is just around the corner. 

You're all registered for camp, awesome! Now it's time to prepare. Has your kiddo had a successful overnight or weekend away experience lately? It can be helpful to practice some of these "camp experiences" ahead of time to build confidence and excitement. The more you can practice independence and daily routines with your camper prior to camp, the more successful of a camp experience they will have!

We suggest practicing:

• Sleepovers. This can be practiced with family or friends, but the more the better! Lots of different settings for different amounts of time will help them get used to the experience of sleeping in a new place and reduce feelings of homesickness while at camp. This is especially important for first time campers. 
• Morning and Evening Routines. This includes: brushing teeth, brushing hair, basic hygiene, choosing appropriate clothing for specific activities and weather, tying shoes, etc.
• Understanding their thirst, hunger, and tiredness cues
• Understanding their medical conditions, dietary needs, and corresponding symptoms. The more they know, the better they'll be able to communicate their needs to staff should a situation present itself.
• Asking for Help. Can your child ask for help from adults without you prompting them? It's crucial for campers to be able to advocate for their own needs and practice communicating with adults without your help so that they feel comfortable going to their counselors and other staff when they need something. 
• Healthy Eating. Our staff is trained to keep a close eye on your campers' food and water intake so they stay hydrated and have enough energy throughout the day. Practice eating the most nutritious parts of the meal first that will keep them full and sustained for all the fun they're about to have!
• Packing and changing for the pool. Each weekday at camp, your camper will change for the pool at camp, bring their belongings to swim and shower, and bring their stuff back to camp. This is a lot of transitions and potentially a lot of items to remember. Help your camper out by having them practice packing and know where their items are in their suitcase. 
• A Day Without Devices. In this day and age, we're often glued to technology. Practice an "unplugged" day to get your camper prepared for a week without their devices!

Forget to mention something on your camper's registration form? Have any questions about camp? Don't hesitate to contact us at camp@allsaintscamp.com 

You sent your kiddo to camp. Relax and enjoy! We've been preparing for camp for many months and your camper is bound to have a great time. Give yourself a pat on the back knowing that you've provided your camper with a new life experience. They are growing more independent, building resilience, confidence, life skills, and so much more. Camp is like a classroom without walls and they're learning so much while taking risks in a safe environment. Not everything at camp will be perfect, but remember that growth often stems from overcoming challenges.

At the end of the day, providing a camp experience will support your child's overall development. Planning and preparing can be exciting — and for new camp families, even scary — but know that you're giving them a positive, life-changing opportunity. And when camp arrives, take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back, and do some self-care! Rest assured in the knowledge that your kids are developing independence, experiencing the outdoors, relaxing, unplugging, making new friends, and taking a new journey in their faith. 

Thank you for sending your camper to All Saints Camp! We can't wait to meet them!

Love, 

Tasha & the All Saints Camp Staff

Adapted from the American Camp Association's articles: 

- Preparing for Camp: Tips for Campers (and Parents!)

- Top 7 Tips from a Summer Camp Director