Michelle Winterstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Coping Partners, a practice dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and families through emotional and behavioral challenges. Michelle received her Master of Social Work degree with honors from New York University and has extensive experience in both hospital and outpatient settings. She specializes in working with young children, adolescents, and their parents, addressing issues such as behavioral problems, anxiety, and social pressures. Michelle also has experience in childhood obesity and is trained in motivational interviewing and change readiness.

Sending your child to overnight camp is more than just a summer activity; it's a transformative experience that can shape their development in profound ways. How can parents ensure their children truly reap the benefits of camp?

According to Dr. Leigh Weisz, the key lies in preparing both the camper and the parents. She highlights the importance of teaching children essential life skills and fostering independence before they head off to camp. Michelle Winterstein adds that normalizing homesickness and resisting the urge to micromanage are crucial steps. As child psychologists, they emphasize that camp challenges, from coping with homesickness to navigating social dynamics, are opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-confidence.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz and Michelle Winterstein discuss the transformative power of overnight camps. They explore five top benefits for child development, such as fostering resilience and confidence, the importance of a digital detox, and the value of unstructured playtime. Tune in to learn practical strategies to support your child before, during, and after camp, ensuring they gain the most from this enriching experience.