Gone for the summer? How to know if your child is ready for overnight camp

Summer is around the corner, and you’re likely beginning to look at options for your children. Whether you’re patching things together with a series of day camps, family vacations, child care, or a combination, you might be wondering whether it’s time to consider an overnight camp for your child. Here are three questions to ask yourself as you make that decision:

Does your child actually want to go? 

Deciding if your child is ready for sleep-away camp involves assessing their emotional maturity, independence, and enthusiasm for the experience. One of the clearest indicators of readiness is your child's expressed interest in attending camp. If they are excited about the idea, if they talk positively about camp activities, or if they ask questions about what they’ll do there, this shows they may be ready to embrace the adventure.

Does your child have sleep-away experience?

Successful experiences with sleepovers at friends' or relatives' homes can provide valuable insights into how your child would handle being away from home for a summer camp. If your child has managed overnight stays without significant distress, it’s a good sign they can adapt to the longer separation of camp life. On the other hand, if your child regularly comes home from sleepovers exhausted, grouchy, and stressed, it may be a sign that they are not ready to go away to camp. And of course, if your child does not want to go on sleepovers with friends at all, or calls you for a ride home in the middle of the night, that is a big signal that overnight camp may not be a good fit right now. 

Does your child have the skills?

Your child’s success at overnight camp will require your child to manage basic self-care and navigate new situations independently. Sleep-away camp requires children to handle personal hygiene, organize belongings, and follow instructions from caregivers other than parents or teachers. Related, make sure that your child has demonstrated flexibility in adapting to new environments and schedules, such as transitioning between activities or meeting new people. Social readiness is equally important; children who make friends easily and enjoy group activities are more likely to thrive in a camp setting.

Please reach out to me at the Center for Mindful Development, PLLC, as you make arrangements for the summer months. I am happy to help you evaluate the various options that are best for your children.