8 Great tips for responding to camper mail

 
These days, putting pen to paper and writing a letter has become a rare and daunting task.

People have become so conformed to sending emails and texting from their mobile devices, that writing a letter the good old-fashioned way seems to have become too time-consuming and complicated. 
 
At Sugar Bay Resort, a holiday camp for kids and teens, we challenge both parents and campers to write letters to one another the traditional way. 
 
We allow our campers to write a letter to their parents on the third day of camp. These letters are then scanned and emailed to parents, opening the door of communication between parents and their children at camp. We distribute the replies to our campers on the fourth day of camp, which gives parents a day to compose a reputable letter to their little ones. 
 
However, the replies are often very formal and lack the gist of a meaningful letter.
Although you’re receiving these letters via email, it would be very exciting for your kids to receive a hand-written letter from you. It just makes the experience of being away from home so much more remarkable and unique. 

 
 
Here are some great tips to use when responding to the letters you receive from your young campers:

1. You really have to think about what you are writing and who you are writing to.

2. You must find an unperturbed space in your mind, one that focuses directly on the person you are writing to, and what you would like to say to this person.

3. Each sentence needs to have meaning and emotion to it.

4. Avoid talking about home. Ask questions about camp rather than talking about home life. It’s important to note that as a parent, your words play an integral part in homesickness.

5. Always be encouraging and supportive about what the kids are getting up to at camp. Encourage them to talk about their new experiences at camp.

6. Avoid too many questions as this will make the kids feel pressured to write back more often than they would prefer to.

7. Avoid heavy-handed disapproval or reprimands. This is certainly an unpleasant thing to come across in any letter.

8. Let the kids know that they are missed. But avoid getting too emotional. Tackle this with a change of topic. For example; persuade the kids to describe the new friends they made at camp. This will take the focus away from the emotional attachment which the word “Missing” brings.

A meaningful letter has more significance than a quickly typed out email. It is a sentimental item that most kids view as sacred and will keep forever.

Campers love getting letters from home. It makes them feel important and helps them realize just how much they are loved, overall, building up their confidence and courage to make the most out of their camping experience. 
 
Take the time to hand write a beautiful, meaningful letter to your child using the eight great tips above. In this case, words speak louder than actions ever will. Email your thoughtful camper mail to away@sugarbay.co.za

We can’t wait to let your little ones know that you’re thinking of them. 

For more information about our holiday camps, head over to our website. For more Sugar Bay inspiration, become a follower on our Pinterest channel.