7yo & 3yo afraid to try new things - what are your tricks?

[Tatsuta-hime]

I have two ds, 3yo and 7yo. The 3yo is much like I was as a kid. When presented with anything new, he doesn't like it. Simply says no to doing it. My 7yo just started to do that. Specifically, with a week-long summer camp. I know my kids and I know my own tendencies when I was a kid so, I know that once they are there and doing it, they will love it. But, what do you do to get them over that hump? What can I do to help avoid or minimize the tears and hysterics and to teach them that something new can be a good thing. This is such a valuable lesson for them, a willingness to try something new, that I really want them to learn it.

Any ideas? What do you do to present a new experience to your kid in a positive way, especially when they are fearful of new things?

[4evermom]

It helps with my ds is I say we'll go and stay for a little while and leave when he's ready. Knowing he has control over the situation like that helps. And frequently he's fine once he's there. Of course it's a problem for things that cost money. Since money is tight, I'm not going to gamble on things that cost much...