Originally posted by mom2boys
He leaves in the morning. This is the 1st time he's been away from the family overnight. He'll be gone for a week. I miss him already. 
I am trying to stay upbeat & not let him see me worry. Any advice?
The best advice I could give is - make sure that when you actually pack the suitcase/duffel bags, make sure your 10YO is right there with you. This way he will know where the flashlight is, where his toothbrush is, where his swimming trunks are etc. My DD says it is absolutely hilarious to watch the kids who didn't pack try to find stuff in all their bags.
My other "packing" advice is beat it into their brains that "wet towels" and dry clothes are a bad combo. My DD was at a camp earlier in the summer with her cousin. That family picked them up Friday after camp, we came over on Saturday to stay overnight at that house, on Sunday my daughter wanted me to iron a pair of shorts. The shorts were damp. I checked out the suitcase - all beachtowels were wet. I'll just summarize: EEEWWW!
Mail them a fun letter Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We actually send DD a letter from different stuffed animals, and incorporate funny digital pictures. She knows we are thinking of her. Our summer has been pretty boring...we eat, we sleep, we work that's it. She doesn't need to hear that.
Luckily, most camps have a "parents must leave by" time. This is for both of your benefits.
When you drop them off in their cabin, tent or whatever unit they are in, take your DS over to the counselor and introduce yourselves to them - that way your son will immediatley know who is "in charge" in case he has any questions while unpacking, needs to know where the restrooms are etc. Figure out what bed they want right away too. My daughter was at a camp this week, and immediately staked out a "lower bunk" because at this camp, if you have the lower bunk, you "own" the storage space under the bed.
The most important thing - watch what the other mom's are doing. Someone will most likely be a repeat camper. They will be the ones that really look like they know what they are doing. Don't do anymore or any less than this mom, in terms of helping them unpack, or helping the set up their beds.
Tell your child that rules at camp may be slightly different than at home, and that they will be expected to follow camp rules. Tell them to try a little bit of every food etc.
We also give out daughter some "business" type cards that have her info on them in case she wants to give someone her e-mail address etc.
Give them a quick kiss and a hug, and then LEAVE! Don't dwawdle (bad spelling) on the "good bye" part. Luckily, our daughter will excuse us after about 20 minutes or so - which is usually right about the time we get her money in the trading post.
Sorry for the really long post. Things will go well - the counselors are very adapt at making for a smooth transition, and having some sort of "ice breaking" game for all the new campers.
