What Actually Happens at Camp?
Your kid's about to disappear for a week and you have no idea what they'll actually be doing. Here's what a typical day looks like—so you can stop wondering.
Why This Matters
When kids don't know what to expect, anxiety fills in the blanks—usually with worst-case scenarios. When parents don't know what to expect, we imagine our kids sitting alone somewhere sad. Neither is reality. Here's what actually happens.
A Typical Camp Day, Hour by Hour
Every camp is different, but most follow a similar rhythm. Here's what your kid's day probably looks like:
7:00 - 7:30 AM
Wake Up
A counselor gently (or not so gently) wakes the cabin. Kids stumble to the bathroom, brush teeth, get dressed. Some camps play reveille. Most kids are groggy but slowly come alive with cabin chatter.
7:30 - 8:15 AM
Breakfast
The whole camp gathers in the dining hall. Usually cafeteria-style: eggs, pancakes, cereal, fruit. There's often a morning song or cheer. The energy is still building.
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Morning Devotions
Either by cabin or as a whole camp. Worship songs, a short devotional message, maybe prayer time. This sets the spiritual tone for the day. It's usually high-energy and engaging—not like sitting in church.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Activities
This is the structured activity block. Kids rotate through 2-3 activities in groups. Depending on the camp, this might include:
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Lunch
More dining hall time. By now the camp is buzzing with energy. Lots of laughter, announcements about the day, maybe some silly camp songs or competitions between tables.
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Rest Hour
Back to the cabin for quiet time. Kids write letters home (hint: send stamped, addressed envelopes), read, nap, or play quiet games. This is when counselors often have one-on-one chats with campers. It's surprisingly important downtime.
2:00 - 5:30 PM
Afternoon Activities
More activity rotations. Often includes free swim time where kids can just play in the water. The afternoon tends to be slightly more relaxed than the structured morning. This is when a lot of friendships deepen.
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner
The camp's most energetic meal. Everyone's tired in that good, earned way. There are usually announcements about the evening program, shout-outs for camper achievements, and lots of singing.
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Evening Program
This is often the highlight. Might be a game night, talent show, themed event (like a carnival or movie night), or the main worship service of the day. Evening worship at camp tends to be when kids feel most open spiritually.
8:30 - 9:30 PM
Campfire (Some Nights)
S'mores, songs, skits, stories. The classic camp experience. Not every night, but the nights with campfire are usually the most memorable. Something about fire and stars makes kids open up.
9:30 - 10:00 PM
Cabin Time & Lights Out
Back to the cabin for teeth brushing, pajamas, and cabin devotions. Counselors often lead discussions about the day or do a short devotional. Then lights out. Kids are usually tired enough to sleep, though there's always some whispering.
What Your Kid Won't Tell You (But Is Happening)
- Deep conversations. Something about camp—maybe being away from screens, maybe the cabin intimacy—makes kids talk about real stuff with counselors and each other.
- Trying things they'd never try at home. The kid who says "I can't" often discovers they can when everyone around them is cheering.
- Leadership from older campers. Younger kids watch older campers and learn how to be kind, brave, and goofy all at once.
- Inside jokes. Your kid will come home referencing things you don't understand. That's a feature, not a bug—it means they belong to something.
The Arc of the Week
Day 1: Nervous excitement
Finding their cabin, meeting bunkmates, figuring out how things work. Everything is new.
Day 2-3: The dip
Homesickness often peaks here. The novelty has worn off, they're tired, they miss home. This is normal.
Day 4-5: Finding their groove
They know the routine now. They've got friends. They're having fun. Camp feels like home.
Last day: Don't want to leave
Tearful goodbyes with cabin mates, exchanging contact info, already asking about next summer.
What Parents Worry About (And the Reality)
Worry: They'll be left out
Reality: Counselors are trained to include everyone. The cabin structure creates automatic friend groups.
Worry: They won't eat
Reality: Active days = hungry kids. Most camps offer enough variety that picky eaters find something.
Worry: They'll be unsafe
Reality: Staff ratios at good camps are tighter than school. Every activity has trained supervision.
Worry: They'll be bored
Reality: The opposite problem. Kids are usually exhausted from how much there is to do.
Worry: They won't learn anything spiritual
Reality: The informal moments—cabin talks, campfire, counselor chats—are where faith conversations happen naturally.
Ready to Find the Right Camp?
Now that you know what happens, find a camp that fits your family.
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