Sending your child away to camp for the first time is a major milestone for most families, one that is often marked by excitement, anticipation and perhaps even some anxiety. One of the most important things parents can do to help prepare their child for camp is to talk with their child about it before they go.
Here are some sample topics for discussion that will help prepare your child emotionally for their big adventure.
Activities
There are many exciting things to do at camp, many of which you may never have tried before. You might not like all the activities, or you might be better at some than others. That’s normal. I hope you are willing to try. The more you put into camp, the more you will get out of it!
Friends
Camp is about making new friends. If you are shy about meeting new kids, then learn to get to know others by being a good listener. Remember also that not everyone in your cabin, bunk or group has to be your friend, and you don’t have to be everyone else’s friend. As long as you treat others with respect and they do the same with you, then having one or two friends at camp is fine. If you have more, then that’s great!
Cooperating
You will be part of a cabin, bunk or group. As your parent, I hope you will cooperate with others and help out. That’s part of what makes camp so special — kids helping each other out. Most kids will help you if you are friendly and help them.
Adjusting
Give yourself time. One thing about camp is that almost everything is new — the kids, the activities, the routines, the bed you sleep in, the bathroom. It takes a few days to get adjusted, so be patient with yourself. Most of the time, you will be having so much fun you won’t mind all the changes. But if you do, remember that you will get so used to things that by the time you come home you will miss all those things.
Helping Others
Camp is fun, but it also requires that you help out. Clean-up is part of camp. You do it every day! As your parent, I hope you will cooperate!
Asking for Help
Everyone has good days and bad days. If you are having a problem, your counselor is there to help you. You don’t have to wait to tell us if you are upset about something. After all, if your counselor doesn’t know what might be troubling you, they can’t help you. Be honest and ask for what you need. If your counselor doesn’t seem to be concerned or doesn’t help you, then you can go to the head counselor or camp director.
Talking with your child about these kinds of issues is a great way to show support as your child gets ready to take this important step on the road to being more resilient and self-reliant. For you as a parent, it can give you more peace of mind as you allow your child to participate safely in a broader world.
To learn more about camp and child development, visit the American Camp Association at ACAcamps.org, or call 1-800-428-CAMP (2267).
Originally published in CAMP Magazine in 2006. Updated and reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association ©2006–2025 American Camping Association, Inc.
