How to make a happy camper:

€ Read the “Join the Fun Summer Possibilities” brochure from the Girl Scouts-Seven Lakes Council, together and be sure that your daughter has chosen a program that interests her.

€ If this is the first time for a resident camp, be sure your daughter practices sleeping away from home.

€ If there are items that need to be purchased for camp i.e. sunscreen, water shoes, sleeping bag etc. include your daughter in the shopping trip.

€ Label all items brought from home, especially the common things like disposable cameras.

It is difficult to sort 20 identical cameras.

€ Send mail to the camp before arrival so that your daughter receives mail the first day, or give letters to the staff to deliver each day.

€ Send pre-stamped, pre-addressed postcard and envelopes with your daughter to camp.

€ Let your daughter know that you will miss her, but encourage her to meet new friends and that you will be excited to hear all her stories and songs when she arrives home.

€ If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact the camp director prior to, during or after the camp session.

€ Also, new this year is the “Bring a Friend to Camp” program. If your daughter came to summer camp in 2006 and encourages a new camper to come in 2007, each girl will receive a $5 credit to use at the camp trading post.

€ For more information on preparing for summer camp, visit the Camp 101 for Parents page on the Web site of the Girl Scouts-Seven Lakes Council at www.girlscoutssevenlakes.org.

Jennifer Ferner is the outdoor program manager for the Girl Scouts Seven Lakes Council, Inc.