How to Know When My Kid is Ready for Overnight Camp
A quick guide for parents
We know sending your child to overnight summer camp for the first time can be a big step for both parent and child. Although it may be nerve-wracking at first, the alternative is missing out on a summer of adventure, new friendships, and so much more. To prepare, here’s a few things to think about as your family decides if overnight camp is right for your child.
1. Have they asked to go to camp?
We get it, kids ask for a lot of things all the time. But if they’re asking for something outside the realm of what they would usually ask for, perk up and take notice. If they’re expressing an interest in going to overnight camp, that’s a huge plus and a sign it might be time to take the plunge.
You could also ask them if they would be interested, sometimes even in a round-about way. If you know the overnight camp you’re thinking of attending has activities that would pique your child’s interest, drop hints that those are things they could do there. For example, “I hear they have waterskiing at camp,” or “it looks like they have a ropes course with a big climbing tower.” A little Jedi mind trick is never a bad thing.
2. Has your child successfully spent time away from home before?
Sleepovers with friends. Trips with grandparents. Are these things your child has achieved with good success? If being away from home in somewhat familiar surroundings has gone smoothly, then it may be a sign they are ready for a new step. There still may be some challenges the first time away at somewhere completely new, but having experience with being out of the house can definitely help. A first time at camp is all about doing familiar things in an unfamiliar setting. If they’ve done it in semi-familiar settings without major issues, camp is a great next step!
3. Have you seen signs of independence?
Before leaving for school in the morning, is your child putting their bagel in the toaster or pouring their own cereal? Are they getting homework done (of course with some gentle reminders)? Are they getting their dirty laundry into the laundry basket (or least in the laundry basket’s vicinity)? If you’re seeing them accomplish these, and other similar tasks, they are showing some signs of independence and might be ready to level-up on this challenge.
4. Is your child socially and emotionally ready?
One of the things that makes camp so great is that everyone gets a chance to showcase their personality and who they really are. Camp can also be challenging at times for those same reasons. Most of the time, all of our campers get along, but like anywhere else, at times there can be conflict. If your child has demonstrated the ability to work with others and be able to resolve differences when they arise, that’s a good sign they’re ready to be in an overnight camp environment.
If your child also makes friends or socializes easily, then camp is a great spot to be. A wide variety of people brings a wide variety of interests, so there’s bound to be someone (usually several someone’s) they’ll be able to connect with.
5. Are YOU ready for your child to be away from home?
This answer might not ever be 100% yes…and that’s okay! Kids might get homesick and parents might get kid-sick, which is completely normal for both parties. But if you think they’re ready for a new challenge, give them a shot at it. And more importantly, do everything you can to help them succeed. Tell them you know they’ll do great. Tell them they’ll learn so much. Tell them they’ll meet and make new friends. Talk about all the things they can do at camp that they would never get to do anywhere else. If you make them believe, then they can achieve. Putting them in a successful mindset from the jump will go a long way into making their camp experience not a good one, but a GREAT one.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA’s Camp Lawrence and Camp Nokomis offer unforgettable overnight camp experiences for young people ages 8–16 on the beautiful Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. Camp Lawrence serves boys and Camp Nokomis serves girls, providing nurturing spaces where campers can be themselves, build confidence, and form lasting friendships.
