1st Time Parents
The Guide Below will Help Prepare Both You and Your Child for Camp Cheerio
Camp Cheerio is an inclusive and welcoming place dedicated to serving camper needs in the best way possible. We understand that each child and family is unique. It is our goal to create an environment for your child and relationships with the staff and peers to ensure the best possible experience for your camper. We want every camper to leave their time with us feeling like it was the best week of their year!
If you have any questions not answered below, please contact the camp office.
Optional Extras
Once you have a chosen a session there are some options you may wish to add that will enhance your child’s camp experience. These options can be added or changed through your online registration account at anytime up until you have paid your balance in full. Once you have paid in full you will need to contact the office to make changes.
Pre-Order T-Shirts
Each summer we design a unique Cheerio shirt that is only available in advance. Purchase one with registration and we will have it waiting in your child’s cabin when you arrive.
Stay-over
This option is available for campers staying at Cheerio for 2 or more consecutive sessions. This options is not available following a session that ends on Friday, including 1G, 4G and 2C. Between sessions, campers will take a bus to Elkin for a bit of shopping, a movie, and dinner. Campers will also participate in some camp activities such as mini-golf, gaga ball, games and movie night.
Trips
Out of camp trips generally last a few hours and are led by experienced staff. We offer a canoe trip every session, as well as a rock-sliding trip during 2-week sessions.
Airport Transportation
We can provide ground transportation to and/or from the airport for children flying to/from Cheerio. This option is only available from Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC, and all flights MUST arrive/depart between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the opening/closing day of your child’s session.
Homesickness
Preparation, through discussion between you and your child is the number one way to help your child through potential homesickness. Being homesick is a normal reaction for campers that may miss their parents, pets, and other family members. By having a conversation about this possibility ahead of time, you will diminish the severity and allow your child to understand how to handle these emotions.
Tips for Parents and Homesickness
Talk About It
Begin talking about the potential for homesickness a few months before arriving to camp. Discuss the physical and emotional aspects: feeling lonely, upset stomach, headaches. Homesickness is a very normal challenge many campers face, so feel confident in that our counselors and other staff are all trained to help campers cope with these emotions. Have a conversation about how to get help if you are experiencing these feelings. Please do not tell your camper that you will come and get them if these feelings arise, but instead encourage them to ask for help at camp and realize that this is a normal part of growing up and becoming more independent.
Practice
At home, begin teaching your child how to become more self-sufficient. What would your child do if they were feeling lonely? Who should they talk to first? Create steps to take if these feelings arise. For example, opening up and talking to a counselor will create a safer environment and can help make your child less anxious.
Send Letters
Plan ahead and put some letters in the mail for your camper the week prior to camp. This will allow for mail to be delivered earlier in the session. Nothing beats receiving a hand-written letter or card in the mail! Additionally, every parent has access to our email service and can send an email to your child daily. Emails are printed each morning and delivered to the campers after lunch during Rest Period. Use this communication to encourage your child in his or her experiences at camp rather than telling them how much you may miss them. Send funny jokes or stories. Ask questions about what they are doing. Remember this communication is to make the overnight camping experience for your child even better.
Pack Something From Home
Your child may have a special blanket, stuffed animal, or toy that may help lessen anxiety. It is perfectly normal for a child to bring this to camp. Sometimes having photos to hang up beside their bunk of family and pets is also helpful. Your child’s Counselor will make sure to help each camper in caring for these special attachments.
Mail and Care Packages
We encourage you to send letters and cards to your campers. Nothing beats a hand-written letter arriving via mail. Unfortunately, our package delivery at Cheerio is very limited due to postal delivery dates provided. USPS delivers every day, but UPS only delivers Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Envelopes being sent to camp must arrive by Thursday of your camper’s session.
We only accept 11 x 14 sized envelopes or letters and cards. We do not accept packages larger than this required size. Any package that exceeds the required 11 x 14 envelope size will not be delivered to the camper. It will be held until the end of the session for the parent to pick up in the gym. All mail, envelopes and letters MUST be mailed to camp; they CANNOT be dropped off on opening day.
When possible, letters and packages are given out after lunch during our rest period. However, on days that mail is delivered to camp later, they are given out at the earliest opportunity, usually the following mealtime.
Please do not send anything via Instacart/shopping services and please do not include food or drinks in any packages. Campers are provided plenty of food and drink options throughout the day of camp.
Additional Paperwork
After your registration has been confirmed there are a few standard forms that must be filled out for all campers. These forms include Camper Confidential, Physicians Form, Health History, Opening Day Screening, Immunization Form and Bunk Request if applicable. These forms will be posted online and can be accessed through your CampInTouch account.