Opening Day Insider Tips - New Camper Blog Series
Welcome back to our New Camper Blog Series! Each week we share a few practical details to help you feel ready for your daughter’s first summer at Greystone. If you’re new here, or if you missed a week, be sure to browse our new camper archives; we have many helpful posts for you to read.
Today we’re zooming in on a few lesser-known Opening Day details that can surprise parents every year. Sometimes these surprises are a delight, and sometimes they catch parents off guard. So, let’s dive in so you’re “in the know” for Opening Day.
What to write on the car
You’ll see plenty of families who decorate their car windows with fun car markers for Opening Day. This is optional, but as we see quite a few cars with writing on their windows, we wanted to give you the inside scoop. If your camper loves a little extra flair, especially as she is driving to camp, it can be a fun way to feel the excitement before you even hit the road.
Easy ideas:
- “On the way to Greystone!”
- “First time at Greystone!”
- “Heading to Tuxedo, NC”
- Your daughter’s name in big letters
Pro tip: Have your daughter help decorate. It’s a great way to include her in the excitement as you prepare for the day.
What to do on the way to camp
That drive to camp is a special time. It can be filled with both excitement and nerves, as she anticipates the session to come.
If you’re wondering what you should do on the drive up to camp, here are a few ideas that will help pass the time and get your daughter ready for camp:
- Listen to camp songs (this will set the mood for the drive!)
- Look at an activity list and talk about classes she’s excited about
- Watch some fun camp videos together
- Talk through a few “camp skills” that make the first days smoother: how to ask for help (from a counselor, a Group Leader, a nurse…any grown-up wearing a nametag!), how to be kind when you’re tired, or how to share space and attention in a cabin
And the biggest message of all: “I want you to have so much fun!”
The drop-off is FAST (and that’s on purpose)
This is the one that surprises new parents the most: Opening Day check-in is really quick. And we mean it: REALLY quick. We might say “a few minutes,” but it can honestly feel closer to a school drop-off than a long goodbye. For some parents, it feels abrupt.
Here’s the good news: the speed of drop-off is a good thing, and your daughter will really appreciate it.
A quick drop-off is often the best thing for your daughter, kind of like ripping off a Band-Aid. She hops out, is greeted with big smiles, gives you a quick hug, walks up to meet her counselor, and the fun starts immediately. The longer the goodbye lingers, the harder it can be for campers (and, let’s be honest - for parents too!).
So prepare yourself before you even arrive: be ready to hug quickly, keep that good-bye short and upbeat, and know that your daughter is heading into so much fun!
If it helps, practice a simple goodbye phrase before you arrive:
- “I love you, I’m proud of you, and I’ll see you on Closing Day.”
- “Have the best time; I’m so excited for you!”
- “You’ve got this. I can’t wait to hear everything in your first letter.”
You can also say a longer goodbye on your way up to camp or before you leave. Since you know it will be a quick drop-off, give a longer hug before you even hop in the car!
Dropping off letters (and when they’ll get delivered)
Many parents mail letters the traditional way, but most families also love dropping off a few pre-written letters on Opening Day. There’s a final parent stop as you exit camp where you can leave those letters (this is optional, but fun!).
A few tips that make this work smoothly:
- Write your camper’s first and last name clearly on each envelope
- Write the day you want it delivered on the outside (Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.)
- Put all letters together in a Ziploc bag before you hand them in
And the question we get asked again and again: “Which day will she receive her first letter?” Tuesday, the 2nd day of camp!
Helping your daughter prepare for making her bed
Some campers jump into cabin setup like they are pros. Others look at sheets and a comforter and think, “I have never had to set up a bed in my life.”
Good news: No matter where your daughter falls in her bed-making experience, she will have so much help with making her bed on Opening Day. Counselors will help all of their girls get settled, including making their beds and unpacking. However, before she arrives, it can be helpful to do a little bit of prep with your daughter ahead of time, because having a comfortable bunk set-up will go a long way towards a good first night!
A few ways to set her up for success:
- Practice at home (even one time for 5 minutes helps!)
- Tell her ahead of time: “Your counselor can help; just ask.”
- If it feels impossible, one helpful trick we teach our counselors is to lift the mattress (with the help of a friend) to tuck sheets in more easily. Our staff our pros at this, so just let your daughter know we’ve got her covered.
And if her bed doesn’t feel right later, remind her to speak up! “My sheets feel weird; can you help me fix it?” is an excellent camp sentence.
Opening Day is exciting…and it goes quickly. These “insider tips” can help you feel ready when everything is exciting and moving fast. You’re about to drop off your daughter for something that is so much fun, and we can’t wait to welcome her to Greystone for her very first Opening Day!