Making outbound camps less stressful

The safety and security of our children when they are away from our watchful eyes is critical in terms of the decisions we make for them. Stress levels are naturally higher when this involves ‘away camps’ especially outstation ones.

I don’t know of any parent who will not worry, and I am yet to come across anyone who, when told ‘not to worry’, does not worry! With that established, let’s analyse how this can be better managed.

Let’s begin by spending enough time evaluating the outbound service provider by engaging in detailed discussions and conversations, and also referencing them out especially with certification of their equipment and procedures. This phase is critical and one must assess this criteria, for selection, carefully — the brand associated, their individual and collective experience as team, the nature of their activities, safety procedures they follow, communication, access to key personnel especially medical practitioners and of course, the references they share. I always tell parents, this decision is a personal one, and no one but your mind and heart can decide for you. Call it instinct or gut, but after asking all your questions, the answer will be crystal clear — you either have confidence or do not. I follow this golden rule, “when in doubt, do not take the risky run” (of course, the cricket crazy Agarkar family genes have to appear!). In cricket, there is a traditional saying, when you are doubtful, don’t take the risky single because it will always get you run out!

Seeking all your answers and gaining confidence perhaps will make this process a lot more channelised in terms of understanding what to expect when you are not physically present. You have familiarised yourself with the time schedule and are aware of the minute-wise break-up of what your child will experience. If possible, providing a gadget that allows the child to communicate with you can be considered a way of staying connected. But if you are constantly communicating, it takes away the purpose of the outbound camp in the first place.

A message or a phone call once a day can be greatly calming and keep the negative thoughts away.

It would also help to keep yourself thoroughly occupied when your child is away because this keeps you busy and reduces the number of times you start thinking about what’s going on. Homemakers may decide to surround themselves with friends or household chores and those at work, will find it simpler as the routine is in place.

The selection of camps is also a process that will involve a bit of science. So for example, if your child is an introvert, and is scared of darkness, sending him for a trek in the night may not be an ideal start. Perhaps look at low risk or low-threat options like day camps for trekking. If your child has never attempted adventure sports, and you have decided to send her off for a rigorous rafting expedition, it may not make sense either. Start with camps that your child migt be interested in, and once the child gains confidence, build on these experiences. With this, you as a parent will also gain confidence and experience of managing your own anxieties.

A ‘calm’ you will go a long way in shaping your child’s outlook towards these camps and this often takes time and effort.

The writer is an educationist, and founder of KA EduAssociates.