Most children would love to leave home and be away from parental supervision for a few weeks, conversely this is also true for the parents. However there are also kids and parents who find the whole summer camp experience to be frightening. To help change those anxious feelings into excitement here are some things you as a parent will have to keep in mind.

Are you ready? Before you even think of packing your kid off to that ultra high tech camp for geniuses you should reflect on your readiness to let your child go off to camp. Your child isn't a rock, he or she can sense if you are nervous about the separation. To ease your mind about the competency of the staff at the summer camp, look at their on line application.

Is your child ready? You may be dying to send your child away for the summer but it doesn't necessarily mean that your child is ready for it. Don't push if your child is like 5 or 6. Make sure that he or she can handle their personal hygiene. The camp staff should be made aware of any night problems your child may have like bed wetting or sleep walking. The readiness of your child for summer camp is really a matter of personal development. Some kids in the 7 to 10 bracket can already be mature enough while there are 14 or 15 years old who would balk at such an idea.

Visit the camp's website. Or you could send for a video presentation or read through the brochures. Letting your child help select the camp will ensure that the camp will be a match to your child's personality and interests. You could also pick a camp where your child's friends are attending. Don't just pick any camp that has a nice name like Camp Crystal Lake.

Talk to your child about homesickness. There's no use avoiding the issue. Most kids would act like they wouldn't miss their parents but the truth is that there will always be a small part of them that would. Assure your child that feeling homesick is normal. Think of ideas to overcome this feeling when it occurs. Keep the good byes short. If you end up bawling in front of your child when you are about to leave it will either cause two things: your child will also feel homesick or your child will disown you for the humiliation.

Make the whole camp experience a big deal. Mark off the days before camp starts. Share your own funny camp stories. If your child is too young you shouldn't share the stories of you skinny dipping though. Work with your child to help pack for the trip.

Know the camp's policies. You don't want your child to be scolded for bringing snacks that you packed.

Start early. Don't create a stressful situation with you screaming at your child to hurry up. Be familiar with the camp's check-in and orientation procedures. Check that you have the paperwork before leaving the house.

Write letters. And encourage your child to do the same. Don't write too many things about home. You don't want your child to be homesick. Don't schedule a fun family outing to Disneyland when your child is at camp. No matter how great camp was it won't make up for missing a ride on Terror Mountain.

When your child comes home show an interest in his camp stories. Encourage them to practice the skills they learned. Prepare a scrapbook for your child. Remind your child to connect with the friends that he has made in camp. Get together with friends who live close by. Email or phone those who live in a different state.

Summer camp can be a wonderful learning experience for your child. It will help him or her establish his or her independence from home as well as a great chance to make new friends. You can help make summer camp an experience they won't forget or risk the chance of your child swearing off leaving the house ever again. It would be in your best interests that this doesn't happen.