Preparing Your Child for Camp

Camp success isn't just about finding the right program—it's about preparing your kid so they can actually thrive when they get there. Here's your timeline.

The Big Idea

Preparation isn't about making camp perfect—it's about making your kid ready to handle imperfect situations. The goal is confidence, not control. Kids who are prepared don't just survive camp; they thrive.

4 Weeks Before Camp

Focus: Build Independence Skills

If your kid hasn't been doing these things independently, start now:

Shower independently

Including washing hair properly and drying off completely.

Apply sunscreen alone

Practice getting their back, ears, and neck without help.

Make their bed

Even if it's not perfect. Cabin cleanup is a thing.

Pick out their own outfit

They'll need to dress themselves every day. Weather-appropriate choices matter.

Take any medications

If they take daily meds, they should know what they are and when to take them (even if an adult administers).

Pro tip: Practice sleepovers now. A night at grandma's or a friend's house builds the "I can sleep somewhere else" muscle.

2 Weeks Before Camp

Focus: Set Expectations

Now is the time for real talk about what camp will be like:

Look at the camp together

Browse the website, look at photos, watch any videos. "Look, they have a climbing wall! Here's what the cabins look like." Make it visual and exciting.

Walk through a typical day

"You'll wake up around 7, eat breakfast with your cabin, then do activities like swimming and crafts, then lunch..." Knowing the rhythm reduces anxiety about the unknown.

Address concerns honestly

If they're nervous about something specific, don't dismiss it. "Yeah, making new friends can feel hard at first. But everyone is new, so everyone is looking for friends."

Talk about homesickness preemptively

"You might miss home sometimes, and that's normal. Most kids feel that way, and then by day 2 or 3, they're having so much fun they forget to miss us."

1 Week Before Camp

Focus: Get Practical

Mon

Gather and check packing list items

Make sure everything fits and works. Replace anything worn out.

Tue

Label everything

Sharpie on clothing tags, labels on toiletries. Things get mixed up in shared spaces.

Wed

Practice packing together

Let them help so they know where things are. They'll need to find stuff on their own.

Thu

Write letters for them to open at camp

One for arrival, one for mid-week. Tuck them in their bag with a note: "Open on Day 1" and "Open on Wednesday."

Fri

Final check

Walk through the packing list one more time. Include a small comfort item from home.

Sat

Low-key day

Don't schedule a big party or event. Keep it calm. Favorite dinner, movie night, early bedtime.

The Night Before

Focus: Calm and Connected

  • Keep the evening simple. No big celebrations or tearful pre-goodbye speeches. Just a normal night with maybe their favorite dinner.
  • Check bags one final time. Make sure nothing got unpacked by a curious kid.
  • Set out clothes for tomorrow. One less decision in the morning.
  • Early bedtime. They probably won't sleep great anyway. Give them extra time.
  • A brief encouraging word. "I'm really proud of you for doing this. You're going to have a great time."

What NOT to do: Don't use this night for long, emotional conversations about how much you'll miss them. Save that for your journal after they leave.

Drop-Off Day

Focus: Confident Goodbye

Before you get there:

  • • Eat a good breakfast (anxious kids sometimes skip eating)
  • • Use the bathroom before you leave home
  • • Keep conversation light and positive in the car

At camp:

  • • Follow the check-in process—camps have it down to a science
  • • Help them get settled in the cabin briefly, then step back
  • • Introduce them to their counselor—this is their new trusted adult
  • • Don't linger. Prolonged goodbyes make it harder for everyone

The goodbye:

  • • Hug, say "I love you, have an amazing time"
  • • Be confident and upbeat, even if you're dying inside
  • • Leave when you say you're going to leave. No looking back
  • • Cry in the car, not in front of them

Remember: Your confidence signals to them that you believe they can do this. If you're a mess, they'll think something is wrong.

Camp-Readiness Checklist

Your kid is probably ready if they can:

☐ Shower and dry off independently

☐ Brush teeth without reminders

☐ Get dressed in appropriate clothes

☐ Make a simple bed

☐ Apply sunscreen

☐ Use a public restroom alone

☐ Ask an adult for help when needed

☐ Sleep in an unfamiliar place

☐ Handle basic disappointments

☐ Follow multi-step instructions

Missing one or two? They can probably still go—just give those areas extra practice.

The Bottom Line

The best thing you can do to prepare your child for camp is to believe they can handle it. Kids rise to expectations. When you prepare them practically AND emotionally, you're giving them the tools to succeed—and the confidence that comes from knowing you trust them.

Will everything go perfectly? No. But that's kind of the point. Camp teaches kids that they can handle imperfect, uncertain situations. Your preparation makes that lesson stick.

Ready to Find the Right Camp?

Now that you know how to prepare them, find the camp where they'll thrive.

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