[originaltext] The American tradition of sending children to summer camp bega

The American tradition of sending children to summer camp began more than 100 years ago. Today, summer camps for children have become very important to millions of families. Many American women now work outside the home. Working parents need a place where their children can be cared for during the summer when they are not in school.
   Camps help children, too.  For most children, overnight camp is the only time during the year independent. Campers live together in cloth tents or in wood cabins. They eat their meals together in a large dining room. Sometimes, however, the first time at summer camp can be difficult. Children might not like living with other campers. They might not like the food. Or, they might not like to do things like swimming in a cold lake. Some new campers miss their parents very much.
   Mental health expert Chris Thurber studied almost 330 boy campers, who were between the ages of eight and sixteen. They were staying at an overnight camp. 83% reported that they wished they were at home at least one day during their time at camp.  The American Camping Association suggests that parents prepare children before sending them to camp. They say parents should let children help choose the camp. And  they advise parents to discuss what the camp will be like and what campers will need to know. Experts say young children may feel better at camp if they bring a toy from home and if their parents write letters to them often.