For some families, sleepaway camp is part of every summer for kids. For others, it’s a brand new experience that causes a lot of questions and maybe some concerns.
If you’re thinking about whether your child is ready for summer camp, the information below can help guide your family’s decision.
THE BENEFITS OF SUMMER SLEEPAWAY CAMP
There are a lot of benefits of going to sleepaway camp. It offers a new environment with a lot of other kids and activities that are often like none they typically experience at home. That newness and energy can be really enjoyable for kids. Many children have fond, lifelong memories of sleepaway camp.
Summer camp offers children the chance to:
- Be independent and make their own choices. This can build their confidence in themselves.
- Meet a lot of new people. This will open them up to new perspectives and helps to teach the important skill of navigating social situations.
- Be outside and experience nature, which has numerous benefits including improved mood, lower stress and anxiety, and better sleep, in addition to the benefit of connecting with the world around them.
- Have their own experiences outside of their family, which can boost self-esteem and self-awareness.
- Go tech-free. Many sleepaway camps don’t allow kids to bring devices, providing kids with screen-free experiences that they may not get anywhere else.
THE DECISION TO GO TO A SLEEPAWAY CAMP
When deciding on sleepaway camp, take into consideration the type of child you have. While some kids will be eager, some might be more timid. Others may not want to go at all.
For many families, the parent and child come to this decision together.
If you have a child who gives an immediate no, and you think the experience could be good for them, continue the discussion. Explain to them what the camp experience would look like and fun activities they can take part in.
Doing this over time in short conversations focused on one topic can help.
If your child has no interest in going to summer camp, you could try waiting and see how they feel next year.
If you have a child who wants to go to camp but is anxious about it, these tips for preparing your child for sleepaway camp can help.
WHAT IF THEY GET HOMESICK?
Being homesick is pretty common for kids. Summer camp staff typically keep the kids so busy that often there’s no time for homesickness to set in. If it does, camp counselors are used to this and have tactics in place to help.
If you’re concerned that your child might get homesick, talk to the camp’s staff in advance. Ask them how they handle homesickness. Let them know what to watch for in your child so they’re aware of signs in advance.
WHEN THE PARENT IS THE ONE WHO’S WORRIED
Maybe your child is excited about camp and you’re the one who’s nervous. That’s OK, and it’s especially common for parents who never went to a sleepaway camp themselves. Here are some tools you can use to calm your worries:
- Talk to a friend about your concerns, but don’t include your child in these conversations. You don’t want to worry them unnecessarily.
- Talk to camp staff about worries you have, whether it’s how your child will take their medication, or if they’ll be able to fall asleep without their usual bedtime routine. With many kids coming and going to camp all summer long, it’s likely the camp staff has dealt with the same concerns before.
- Reach out to the parent of a child who has gone to the camp before. Hearing about the camp experience from someone else who’s gone through it can help ease your anxiety. It also might get you excited for all the fun your child will be exposed to at the camp.
Sleepaway camp can be really life-changing for a lot of kids. It makes them feel confident and mature, and those away-from-home friendships can be really special. But it’s not for everyone. Recognizing what your child is, and isn’t, open to and ready for will play a big role in making this decision.
