Parents: How to Prepare Yourself for Camp

Key Points:

• Starting overnight camp is often harder for parents than the kids
• Your pre-camp emotions can directly impact your kid’s success at camp
• Understand your camp’s communication style
• Be hands-off once your kid is at camp

Overnight camp is one the greatest gifts you can ever give your kids. It can also be one of the hardest milestones for you as a parent to experience. That’s why we are here to help you out with some useful tips on what to expect, what to avoid doing, and how to prepare yourself for your child’s first summer away:

Be strong on arrival day, it impacts their success

How you carry yourself on arrival day can have a substantial impact on whether your child’s transition to camp is smooth or unnecessarily difficult. Assuming you are following our tips for preventing homesickness before camp, just remember to be positive and encouraging. Help them unpack, set up their bunk, take a photo or two, but don’t linger too long. Give a quick goodbye hug before heading out and for the love of everything save your tears for the ride home.

Encourage them to write home, but don’t expect it

Kids love getting mail while at camp but they don’t always love responding, and that’s okay. Chances are they are too busy having fun and living in the moment to write back. Just don’t guilt them about it. And if they do write back, it will most likely be a very short response. Rest assured, they will not stop talking about camp once you finally pick them up.

Don’t freak out over an emotional letter home

Receiving a sad or angry letter from your child at camp may seem concerning but it’s actually a normal way some kids cope with homesickness. These messages are often written during quiet times when big feelings can sneak in and don’t accurately reflect how they feel most of the time. If you get one, remain calm, and write a short yet reassuring reply. Be sure to give a firm ‘no’ if they ask for a call or to be picked up. Homesickness tends to clear up fast once kids know that’s off the table.

Understand your camp’s communication style

Most camps do a fantastic job with keeping parents updated on camp life with photos, blog posts, emails, and/or recap videos. However, the frequency and location of these updates varies by camp. Some may post daily to a private family portal or social media while others may only upload once the session or summer is finished. Make sure you know where and when your camp posts updates so you don’t miss out.

Care packages can be disruptive (if even allowed)

If your child’s camp allows them to receive packages from home, you should really only send small items when necessary. Extravagant care packages can be disruptive, intensify feelings of homesickness, and make other campers feel left out. Most camps have a strict no food policy anyway so consider only sending something if they really need it.

‘Kidsickness’ is real

All camp parents miss their kids while away at camp but the feelings can be more intense for first-time families. To help cope with ‘kidsickness,’ we recommend staying busy and keep reminding yourself of all the positives your child is gaining every day at camp. Like any good counselor tells a homesick camper– it’s a natural feeling that shows just how much you love them and only lasts as long as you let it.

Remember, camp is for the camper

Summer camp is a big milestone of independence in your child’s life. One that doesn’t include you, so it’s important for their development and growth that you allow them that space. Doing so will actually strengthen your relationship with them and you will be closer because of it when they return.