Preparing Your Child For Summer Camp

Preparing Your Child For Summer Camp

If this is your first year sending your child away for summer camp, then you may be in need of our tips for Preparing Your Child For Summer Camp. No matter where they go or at what age, going away to summer camp is both exciting and frightening the first time. New friends, new places to stay and tons of new experiences await them, but that also brings about a lot of fear. Put those fears to rest with these simple tips.

Take them for a tour of the camp. If the summer camp is close by, make sure you take advantage of stopping in with your child to take a tour of the camp. Meeting the camp director and seeing how things run day to day can give you both peace of mind. Not only will it seem more familiar when your child arrives, it gives them an opportunity to ask questions ahead of time.

Have them sleep away from home a few times before camp. For younger kids who haven’t spent a lot of time away from home, this might be the time to start prepping them ahead of time. Arrange sleep overs at friends, grandparents house or other family members so they can get use to the idea of sleeping in a strange bed away from mom and dad.

Pack comfort items. They may not want to take their rugged teddy bear, but you can help pack some comfort items like their favorite pillow case, blanket or even one of your t-shirts for them to sleep in at night. Comfort items from home can make it much easier for children to adjust at summer camp.

Don’t show your fears in front of them. Remain excited and encouraging no matter what. Try not to cry or show fear as you drop them off. Let them know it is an exciting thing for them to do. Show them confidence and excitement instead of fear as you help them pack and prepare. 

Look for an existing friend to go with them. Ask around to their friends or even send an older sibling along with them. Having someone familiar at camp can ease their minds and yours.

These are simple tips to help when you are preparing your child for summer camp. Along with packing all of their favorite needed items, these tips will keep them happy and excited.

 

17 Comments
  1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    I don’t send my kids to camp. I am home with them all summer.

  2. aimee fauci says

    Now for the post on getting mom ready for summer camp! I am just not ready to send my daughter off to a camp. I know I have to get over the fear but it’s tough.

  3. Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says

    Great tips ! I don’t know of any sleepaway camps near me but I may send my daughter to a half day one.

  4. Ourfamilyworld says

    Those are great tips. I usually try to book with a friend to make it easier for them

  5. Ashley B. says

    Both of my children are still too young to be sent away to Summer Camp for an extended period of time away from home. When that does happen though, I will remember these tips!

  6. Toughcookiemommy says

    I think I would need someone to prepare me if my sons went away to day camp. I love spending time with them during the summer.

  7. mburbage says

    Great tips! Our kids don’t go into camp but I know some who do

  8. Jeanine says

    I think my kids would love summer camp but we haven’t ever sent them! This is great for if we ever decide to!

  9. Pam says

    My kids did a few school camps where they were gone over the weekend or for 3 days, but never did the summer camp thing. It is hard letting your kids go out in the world at such a young age but there are many good things that can come from it. Great advice!

  10. Ann Bacciaglia says

    These are great tips for preparing you kids for camp. There are so many great things kids take away from going to camp.

  11. Paula Schuck says

    Camp is such an important part of growing up. These are great tips for getting the kids ready to go.

  12. Lisa Rios says

    All these are great tips. My kids really loves to go to the summer camps. Your ideas are going to be very helpful to both parents and kids. Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful ideas.

  13. Annie M says

    I went to science camp for a week in 5th grade & I never slept over before. I was such a sad kid, but I overcame the homesickness after the first night 🙂

  14. Aisha Kristine Chong says

    Knowing that your kids has someone you know to go with them gives a sense of relief indeed.

  15. Chrissy Mazzocchi says

    I think Summer camp would be good for my son but not sure how I’d like him being away for so long lol

  16. Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says

    My sons are too young for summer camp, and I think I’m just fine with that. 🙂 I think summer camps are great experiences for kids, but I know I’ll be a nervous wreck when the time comes.

  17. Life as a Convert says

    These are all some great tips. I am trying to get my younger son into a camp this year and it will be his first time going to camp by himself. I actually think I am more nervous than him.

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