Dear Parents,

You recently received camp information and also a small newsletter regarding camp via Constant Contact. Within the newsletter the word independence was mentioned.  We would like to expand on this notion with the idea that camp is an extension of the Montessori classroom. Most notably, we are pinpointing the idea that the practice of independence at camp begins before they even get there.  It begins with the preparation.

Within the packet you will find a list of items that are important for your children to bring to camp. These items include various kinds of clothing toiletries and other sundries that are needed. This is the guide that you and your children may use to get ready for camp.  Depending on their age they may need some of your help or with the older children they might need minimal guidance from you.

The first and second year children will need the most help from their parents. Some students will need you to read the list to them while others may only need a bit of help with the reading. But no matter how successful they are at reading, they can be very successful at gathering the items that are on the list, with guidance from you, in order to ensure they are bringing the correct items that they will need for camp.

Students who are in the third and fourth year should be allowed to have more independence and freedom with packing. These children are able to read the items on the list, go retrieve the items and pack on their own. Allow them to do the whole process and then together, double check their work to make sure they have not forgotten anything on the list.

Students who are in the fifth and sixth grade can have complete independence by this stage in preparation for Camp. Allow your child to be fully independent in this process and then have them go back and double check their work just to make sure that they have not forgotten anything on the list. As with many tasks in our lives, double checking work is a very important skill and mindset.

Many times it will be necessary for you and your children to plan a shopping excursion to purchase items on the list that they will need for camp. Take the time with them to make the list together and then plan for a time when you can go shopping, without time constraints, so it’s enjoyable for all of you. Encourage your children to write out the list. It doesn’t matter if it’s spelled correctly or not, the important piece is that they are gaining the independence from the critical thinking that they will need to do in order to make the list on their own.

By giving your children these responsibilities, you are enabling them, while at camp, to make good solid choices about how they will care for their body when they are there. These are the same types of choices they make in the classroom: thinking about the types of work that they need to practice, making a list of their tasks, and having the responsibility of doing their work during the work cycle.

If you have any questions about how to guide your children through the packing process for camp, please ask someone on the elementary staff.  We would be happy to help you!

Sincerely,

The Elementary Team