Succeed in your first camp

The choice of stay

First criterion: word of mouth
Even if the experience of one or a few children is not enough, collecting testimonials is often very instructive. Ask your friends, mothers after school, or the teaching staff. You will also (and above all) find very good advice from the organizers of the leisure center. Indeed, many temporary leaders are leaders of stays during school holidays and have “tested” a number of organizations.
Go and have a look at your town hall: some municipalities offer stays reserved for children in the city.
Also ask your works council: some Works Councils offer stays for the children of employees and cover part of the cost of the stay.
Finally, you will of course find a wealth of information and sites on the Internet. But it’s hard to find it. Read the presentations carefully and don’t hesitate to make a few phone calls for clarification.

What to check

• The supervision rate for the stay: at least 1 adult for 12 children.
• The skills of the facilitators: they must have at least a BAFA, the director of the stay must hold the BAFD, the health assistant must have his first aid certificate, and the lifeguard, a swimming qualification.

Listen to your child’s wishes

No need to force your child to go on a scientific stay if he is dying to ride a horse or learn to sail!
There is a multitude of stays:
• linguistic (abroad)
• sports (football, dance, etc.)
• discovery (discovery of a country, an environment)
• artistic (theater, visual arts, fashion design, etc.)
• scientific (astronomy, IT, etc.)

Be careful, if you choose a thematic stay, check the number of sessions offered. A stay entitled “Pony passion” must offer a little more than two riding sessions!
Also, check the place and type of accommodation and talk to your child about it: camping, youth hostel, chalet, school, hotel… there again, the possibilities are endless.

Prioritize small groups

Even if the large colonies are sometimes a little more dynamic, it is preferable, for a first stay, to choose a small structure – whose number of children does not exceed 30. Your child will have more facilities to exchange with all, to create links from the first days. The idea is that the child leaves with a friend, a brother, or a sister. He will be reassured and stronger to integrate into this new group.
To start, choose a short-term stay: a week or 10 days maximum.

The weeks before departure

To gently prepare the child, talk to him regularly about his future stay, emphasizing the positive points: “Soon you will know how to juggle perfectly! » or « You are going to discover Corsica, what luck! »
If he is not used to leaving you or sleeping outside, plan short separations: a few nights with his grandparents, or a weekend with a friend… The child must feel that the separation from you is not something sad, on the contrary.

Mandatory documents

• the health form – it mentions any allergies, asthma, enuresis, etc.;
• the health record or the photocopy of the vaccination page.
• your doctor’s prescription if you are taking medication.
• passport, identity card, or authorization to leave the territory in the event of a trip abroad.
• a certificate of aptitude for a sport in the event of a sporting stay (diving, horse riding, gymnastics, etc.).
• The majority of organizations request a swimming patent attesting that your child can swim a distance of 25 or 50 meters without armbands. You can get this patent in any pool. If your child goes to the swimming pool at school, make your request to the teacher.

The suitcase

Choose light luggage: don’t forget that your child is carrying it!
For a sedentary stay, plan a small suitcase on wheels.
In case of traveling camp or camping, prefer a backpack.

Clothes

Most organizations provide a list of clothes that your child will need to bring for the smooth running of their stay. Do the inventory with him, it will amuse him and allow him to identify what he will find in his suitcase when he arrives. Label each piece of clothing, avoid new clothes (which he may not recognize) or branded clothes and choose comfortable clothes that he wears often.

Pocket money

It is not obligatory but you can provide a small sum: 10 to 20 euros maximum. This will allow the child to buy some candies or bring back a small souvenir.
Do not put tickets in his travel backpack, he could lose them when taking out his picnic or a book. Instead, put a purse in the suitcase, or an envelope marked with his name.

The camera

It’s the best way to immortalize your first vacation without you!
Choose disposable cameras or small, inexpensive digital cameras.

The mail

Your child will be delighted to hear from you… and to give. Remember to send him a postcard from the first day of the stay (or even the day before) so that he receives it in time. And slip a card in a marked and stamped envelope into his suitcase, so that he can answer you.

D-day

A few last-minute tips:
• Leave well in advance to avoid stress and possible traffic jams.
• Check that the suitcase is labeled.
• Bring the summons.
• Plan a small separate bag with your snack, picnic, book, sweets, etc.
• Take a few minutes (but no more!) for a big hug before the separation.

During the stay

You can hear from your child:
• by mail
• by telephone (call the center, preferably around 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
• by Internet (blogs have been set up in certain associations to provide information)
• the stay beep ( a voicemail describing the children’s daily schedule)
The telephone is not always the best way to get news: listening to your voice, the child can sometimes start crying… But in the majority of Don’t worry, he’ll prefer to go back to his friends and go about his business rather than talk to you for a long time on the phone!

The return

Be on time when the bus or train arrives. Reunions are a highlight: the child tells you about his activities, and his new friends, and shows you his photos. And, for sure, he will ask you to come back soon!