Let your child feel a sense of ownership over
the experience. Involve him in picking the
summer camp; familiarize him with the camp
environment and teach him about camp activities so he
can formulate expectations.
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Help your child get excited about camp. Take
her shopping for new gear and focus her on fun
things about camp that she can anticipate.
Avoid focusing on what makes children anxious.
Instead of asking leading questions like, “Are
you nervous about horseback riding?” ask open-
ended questions like, “How are you feeling about the
horses?”
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Don’t trivialize her concerns or offer glib
reassurances. “There’s nothing to worry about!”
or “Everyone loves camp!” may discourage
your child. Instead, show that you have empathy and
acknowledge her concerns.
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Focus on concrete details in conversations
leading up to and during summer camp. Avoid
abstract issues like what it it’s like to be away
from home in favor of cabin details, meals in the lodge,
or campfire rituals.
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Reflect on your own formative experiences away
from home and share positive aspects of them
with your child. Show that you are willing to talk
about the new things he’ll be doing, whether it’s
eating new food, sleeping in a bunkbed, getting along
with cabin-mates, or coexisting with insects.
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7 Go through “rehearsals.” A shorter-term
sleepover or a night at Grandma’s will make it
easier for your child to be away from home.
8 Don’t linger at the bus stop. Keep the
goodbyes short, as delaying just causes more
mixed feelings.
Make communication easy and accessible:
Pack envelopes and stamps, outline a schedule
for phone calls or emails if they’re part of the
camp’s routine, and make sure your child understands
how easy it will be.
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Have goals for each letter or conversation,
so your child will come away focused on how
she is adjusting, rather than on how much she
wants to come home.
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Try not to communicate your own anxiety;
your child can pick up on your feelings even if
you don’t verbalize them. What you want to
share is your confidence in your child and the summer
experience.
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Help your child formulate realistic, goal-
oriented plans for making friends or toasting
the perfect marshmallow or passing a
swimming test. The thrill of completing these plans
can give your child a feeling of success and take his
mind off his anxiety.
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If your child has psychiatric or learning issues,
don’t keep them a secret. Make sure the staff
and counselors know anything they need
to know to head off problems and maximize her
experience. Does she wet the bed? Is she anxious about
water? And let your child know that counselors are
there to support her, whether she has a simple question
or a larger problem.
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Are you ready for your child to go to camp?
For parents who are anxious about sending kids to
summer camp, remember that the cost of a good camp
covers more than the arts and crafts; it includes a team
of professionals and counselors committed to fostering
social learning in your child
Summer camp is a unique situation where your child
engages with a large community of peers and learns
how to interact socially in a less-structured environment
than school. This is a time for him to actively make
decisions for himself and develop a sense of self-
reliance. Though you may be concerned and wish to
intervene, your supportiveness will give your child room
to take ownership over the experience himself.
When should you worry that a child’s pre-camp anxiety
is something problematic? You might be concerned
if she demonstrates physical symptoms of fear: cold
or clammy hands, butterflies, faintness, headache, or
nausea. Excessive tearfulness and hiding are also signs
that something out-of-the-ordinary is going on. A
child might have nightmares about separation or ask
questions like, “What if something happens to me or
you when I’m away?” If a child’s reaction is so severe
that it interferes with normal functioning, it might be
time to consult a mental health professional.