Summer Camp: How to Prep Your Kids

Summer camp is a rite of passage for many kids. It’s a time for adventure, new friendships, and personal growth. But alongside the excitement, camp can also bring emotional challenges like homesickness, social anxiety, or fear of the unknown. As a parent, you can help your child thrive at camp by taking a few simple steps to prepare them emotionally. Here’s how to set them up for a successful and rewarding camp experience.

Create a Safe Space for Open Communication

Create a non-judgmental space where they can express their feelings. Keep it positive and create casual conversation about camp with questions like, “What are you most excited about?” or sharing a positive experience of your own. If you sense that your child is concerned about something, you can ask “Is there anything that you feel a bit worried about?” Listen without judgment, validating their emotions “I can understand that,” whether they’re enthusiastic or apprehensive.

Keeping a Positive Vibe at Home

Keep in mind that a child’s emotional readiness is influenced by the family’s overall dynamic. If parents are anxious about their child attending camp, that anxiety can transfer to the child. Reflect on your own feelings about the separation. If you are worried about something, discuss those feelings with someone else in your life that you trust and process your feelings with them separately. In front of your child, keep yourself positive, calm and confident.

Staying Connected During Camp

Involve your child in deciding what makes them feel connected. For example, they might want to bring a family photo, a favorite stuffed animal, or a journal to write letters home. These small anchors can provide comfort and reinforce their sense of belonging within the family system, even when physically apart.

Preparing your child emotionally for summer camp is about more than packing sunscreen and bug spray—it’s about strengthening their emotional resilience and fostering a space for them to learn new things and grow. By creating a safe space for communication, a positive tone at home and a plan for connection, you can set your child up for a successful camp experience. 

Follow these few simple steps to start preparing for the journey to camp and let the adventure begin!