The wonderful thing about summer camp is fact that it gives kids a taste of independence--some for first time. Although this can be frightening at first, such independence challenges kids to grow as individuals. Without aid of mom or dad, camp kids are given an opportunity to make decisions for themselves. They are also exposed to freedoms of summer camp which improves their social relationship skills.

Living, learning, playing, eating, and sleeping with other kids their own age gives them a chance to improve their communication and negotiation skills. From late night fireside chats to squabbles over breakfast cereal, children are repeatedly challenged to look beyond themselves and improve their social skills.

Price? For a lifetime of memories you can expect to pay between $20 and $100 a day at a residential summer camp, not including transportation to and from locale.

After talking to your child about transition from home to camp, you might also want to make sure that YOU are ready for separation. Some parents often have a more difficult time with summer camp than do children.

Best wishes for a safe and exciting and a memorable and rewarding camping experience!

The best way to express your views and desires on "end-of-life" issues is to write them down. There are many different types of legal documents that can help you plan how your affairs will be handled in future. Wills and trusts give you a method to say how you want your possessions disbursed after you die. Advance directives describe your health care wishes in case you can not speak for yourself.

A power of attorney lets you give someone authority to act on your behalf. The three basic types are: a standard power of attorney; a durable power of attorney; a durable power of attorney for health care which allows you to name another person to medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself.

Finally, a living will explains how you want your health care handled if you are in a life-threatening situation and can not make medical decisions yourself. It also gives you right to refuse certain types of care, and gives those who are caring for you legal protection and right to follow your wishes.

No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. However, it is just this kind of advanced planning that can be of major assistance in times of emergency. No amount of planning can cover all problems that can arise when we get old or sick. But a living will can certainly help you and your family when heart-breaking decisions need to be made.