overnight camp. Other factors are important, including previous day camp ex- perience and overnight stays outside the home. "Has he stayed at grandma's? At friends? Does he belong to a Scout or religious group that has gone camping overnight?" she asked. If it's a coed camp, will a sibling be attending? If it's a single-sex camp, is there a companion camp a sibling will be attending? Dr. Gary Gershman of Camp Harlem tosses out a few more questions for parents to consid- er. What else will the child be doing this summer — will he be sitting around playing video games or is he looking to get more out of the summer than that? Are his friends going to camp? "A lot of kids in the 11 to 12 age range are away at camp and they want to be with their friends. We get this a lot with campers who come from cities like Philadelphia," Dr. Gersh- man said. "On the other hand, we also have a number of campers who come from small towns and rural communities and their parents want the kid to at least be in a Jewish envi- ronment during the summer. Just remember, the earlier you start children in camp, the ear- lier they'll make friends, form their cliques." Ms. Lister believes that ex- posing children to new experi- ences like overnight camp is beneficial. But she also realizes that "there's a fine line between nudging a reluctant child to do something different and push- ing too fast." Myra Hettleman, associate director of Jewish Family Ser- vices' Children's Services in Bal- timore, says that whatever the child's age, readiness for overnight camp depends on a host of personality traits. "The child's sense of trust in adults and new experiences, his ca- pacity to get along with other children and to cooperate with adults, his capacity to enjoy new experiences and to be indepen- dent," she listed. Although she doesn't want to focus on ages, Mrs. Hettleman does add two provisos. First, children of 9 and 10 are "read- ier to be independent" than younger ages, she says. Second, for children younger than that, a short session works best. `Two weeks would probably be enough," judged Mrs. Hettle- man although camp directors themselves disagree over what's a good session length for a first- time camper. Some directors don't like them, arguing, as does Judy Young of Capital Camps, that in 2-week and shorter sessions, AWAY page 70 JCC Summer Camp Is For • Everyone! • • For a summer of fun and unforgettable memories make your plans at the Jewish Community Center. We offer flexible, exciting new programs including transportation to and from camp. Your guide to a New and Exciting Summer! • • • • • • • Pre-School thru 5th Grade Safari Teen Caravan Camper's Choice Camp of the Arts All Pro Sports Summer Travel Adventure For more information and a full color Summer Camp brochure call • 661-1007 4 Session I: June 27-July 21 Session II: July25- August 18 A Sign up before May 1 for special discounts! All the "Best" Clothing & Equipment You Need For Camp!! Camping Outerwear, Equipment, Wool Sweaters, Flannel Shirts and Much, Much More! 3405 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD, KEEGO HARBOR Mountaineering & Backcountly Travel (810) 738-5291 few the only a la 4 'tour Lite a months await you can: At OSRU1 Paint a picture Se e the stars e Play ga-ga 11 show Produce a 1 lAake a new triend in the band V -Mak e Saddle your horse laste Shabbat Climb the 'lower Shoota bow BOO other with terrific kids! For More Info, Call Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute 3111187.-I411 01. OSVI is a OK camp.