First Year Families

Welcome!

We are so excited to welcome you into the GAC Family this summer. We hope you will be part of our community for many years to come.

The first year of going away to summer camp is the hardest – both for kids and for parents. Everything is new and unfamiliar. For many families, this is the first time parents and children have ever been apart from each other without digital or phone communication. We understand your concerns and have helped hundreds of families through the adjustment. We are here to help alleviate your worries and make you and your camper feel as comfortable and welcome as possible!

Gather your family around your computer, and we’ll share some tips and information to help prepare both you and your camper for your first Gold Arrow experience.

First-Year Family Resources

Parent Resources

First-Year Parent & Camper Orientation

To help prepare you and your child for camp, we encourage parents and campers to attend one of our online orientations:

Parent Coffee Chat

  • June 7 @ 10am PT: Online Parent Coffee – UNPLUG TO CONNECT – Register

For a list of Upcoming Events, including monthly Parent Coffee Chats and Q&A with a Director, download the events calendar.

Preparing for Camp

Are you or your camper nervous about the experience?
Messages for an Anxious Camper

Having some parental worries about your camper being away from you?
5 Reasons NOT to Worry While Your Kid’s at Camp

Destination GAC