How to Get Your Child Ready for Summer Camp
Summer camp can feel daunting, especially for first-timers! Whether they’re homeschooled, attend traditional school, or have never been away from home for an extended period, preparing your child for summer camp is essential for a smooth transition and a memorable experience.
Here are some excellent ways to prepare your child for summer camp.
1. Ensure They Know What to Expect
Show your child plenty of photos of the camp they’ll be attending and talk to them about each activity they’ll participate in. You can build anticipation for camp and create a sense of excitement in your child by having conversations for several weeks about what summer camp will be like.
Consider sitting down with your child to make a list of new things they can try at camp or drawing pictures of what summer camp looks like to them. Whether they’re excited to learn a new skill or make new friends, framing camp as a fun adventure will help them feel less anxious about spending time away from home.
You should also walk your child through the camp rules. Although this is a less-fun preparation step, it’s important that your child knows how to behave in an independent setting. Make sure they know to respect their counselors and that camp is a privilege that should be treated as such.
2. Pack Resourcefully
Although you may be tempted to, avoid sending your child away with everything but the kitchen sink. Your packing list should be concise and resourceful so that nothing precious gets lost at camp and your child has easy access to everything they need. Here’s an example of a summer camp packing list:
- Clothing: Pack an outfit for each day of camp and 2-3 extra options just in case. Do this with your child to make sure they feel comfortable and confident wearing everything you pack.
- Bathing suit: It’s summertime, don’t leave the swimsuit at home! Goggles may also come in handy.
- Sunscreen: Kids often don’t think about sunscreen before running out of the house, so it’s a good idea to walk your child through how/where to apply sunscreen. Packing a baseball cap or sunhat and sunglasses is also a good idea.
- Bug spray: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends applying sunscreen before bug spray. Make sure your child knows how to apply the spray safely and to keep it away from their face.
- Toiletries: Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, wet wipes, shampoo/conditioner, and any other toiletries your child typically uses. For example, if they have long hair, you should also bring hair ties, etc.
- First Aid kit: Your camp should have first aid supplies, but it may be a good idea to pack a few bandaids and polysporin.
- Flashlight: This is an important tool for late-night bathroom runs - and for ghost stories!
- Water bottle: Make sure your child knows it’s important to drink water throughout the long sunny days to avoid heat stroke.
- Bedding: Inquire about the sleeping arrangements at your child’s summer camp to find out what bedding you need to pack with your child. Even if everything is supplied, sending them away with a comfortable pillow is a good idea.
- Specific items required by the camp: Your camp may provide a packing list that is specific to the activities they’ll be doing. Make sure to ask them before zipping up the suitcase.
You should also involve your child in the process of packing for camp. Make your checklist with your child to ensure they know what they’ll have access to and how to find it. Label your child's belongings to prevent them from getting lost.
3. Prepare Your Child for Homesickness
Even if your child is over-the-moon excited for summer camp, they may still find themselves feeling homesick while they’re away. Teach them about homesickness and go over ways to cope with it, such as writing letters to home, arranging phone calls or video chats, and sending them away with a little photo.
There are some excellent children’s books about homesickness that can also make for preparatory bedtime stories. Some examples include “The Moon Sees You & Me” by Caleb Boroughs, “Homesick and Happy” by renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, and many more.
4. Talk to Camp Staff
Just as you’re preparing your child to be introduced to the camp counselors, it may also be a good idea to prepare them to meet your child! Make sure to call and discuss any questions or reasonable special instructions you may have for your child’s care. For example, if your child has allergies or dietary restrictions, you should inform the camp as soon as possible.
If your child is especially anxious, shy, etc., it’s a good idea to let the camp counselors know this over the phone or via email before you arrive. Talking about this to the camp counselors in front of your child when you arrive can make your child feel even less comfortable, so it’s best to set both your child and the camp counselors up for success independently first.
5. Make Sure Your Child Can Contact You
You don’t need to give your child a phone; in fact, summer camp is an excellent way for your child to develop independence. That said, they should absolutely have a way to contact you if need be. Make sure to be clear with your child about how to contact you. Writing your phone number down somewhere they’ll always be able to see it is a good idea.
6. Walk Your Child Through Some Worst-Case Scenarios
Accidents happen! Your child should know that no matter what happens while they’re away, they will have people around they can reach out to. Walking your child through some unideal scenarios will help them to feel prepared and confident to reach out for help if they need it.
For example, if your child were to have an accident at camp - where would they go? What are the steps they need to take right away? Even if your child already knows what to do in this type of situation, it’s a good idea to refresh their memory before they go away.
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