Preparing for Camp

Most day and overnight camps do not allow campers to have cell phones which is a wonderful benefit of camp!  Children take a break from their personal devices while at camp to connect with peers and staff.  It’s an opportunity for a technology detox and to communicate face-to-face without screens.

Each camp has different communication policies so it’s important to understand a camp’s policy before signing up.  Some parents prefer lots of camp communication while others prefer less.  Ask about the number of camper phone calls home a summer, one-way emails to keep in touch with your child and how often the camp posts pictures (if at all).   You may also want to inquire about the amount of time it takes for camp leadership to get back to you by phone/email if you have a concern during the summer.

We do! You can contact the American Camp Association, NY and NJ for a free list of camps that offer financial assistance.  You can then contact the camps directly to learn more. 

Yes!  Not-for-profit day and overnight camps offer scholarships and financial aid.  It’s best to reach out to camps early (fall is an ideal time) to inquire about scholarships and financial aid.

Both day and overnight camps offer various opportunities for a new camper to get ready for camp.  Day camps offer open houses before the first day of camp where campers can meet their counselors, walk around camp, get on a bus to see what it’s like and more!  Many overnight camps also offer a new camper get-together at camp a few weeks before camp begins so campers can feel more comfortable as the first day approaches.  Camp directors are also happy to connect families with other new campers that may share similar interests.

Talking positively about camp is a wonderful way to prepare your child for camp.  It’s normal for a child to feel nervous as camp approaches but remaining positive and reminding your child why they are going to camp will go a long way in your child having a positive camp experience.  Be sure to answer your child’s questions about camp and if you don’t have the answer, reach out to the camp director for guidance. 

It’s not uncommon for children to feel some homesickness at camp.  They are in a new environment with new people, however, feeling a bit uncomfortable and missing home is ok.  Children can be homesick and still enjoy summer camp.  If you are concerned, reach out to the camp director to understand how your child is coping at camp and how bad the homesickness really is.  Often times, by the time you receive a letter mentioning homesickness, the moment has passed.  Extreme homesickness is rare and if your child is experiencing it, the camp director would reach out to speak about it.

Yes!  Many children with food allergies attend overnight camp successfully.  It’s important to have conversations with the camp director before you register your child for camp to make sure you feel comfortable with food safety protocols in place to ensure your child’s safety while at camp.

Yes!  While some parents like to send their children to the same summer camp, often times children have different needs.  One camp may be perfect for one of your children but not the other.  Check out start dates and visiting days to make sure you can logistically make it work but it is very common for siblings to go to different camps.

Absolutely not.  While some children may feel more comfortable going to camp with a friend, it can sometimes backfire.  Your child may use that friend as a crutch, not branching out to make new friends.  Or the friend can decide at camp to go off and make new friends and your child may feel left out.  This can then have an effect on the home friendship.  Camp is all about forming new friendships and while your child may not know anyone at first, this will quickly change! If your child is concerned, you can reach out to the camp about putting you in touch with a child with similar interests as yours so they have a familiar face on day one.

Think about who your child really is and where they would thrive.  Find out about a camp’s philosophy, mission and values.  Does it match your own family’s values?  Think about the types of activities your child will enjoy and where they will be the most successful.  Have open conversations with the camp directors at the camps you are considering.  Make sure to describe your child—the positives and negatives– and ask if they feel that your child will be successful at the camp.

There is no one size fits all, however, it’s good to think about future summers and not just summer #1.  If you feel your child will eventually want a longer session, make sure you choose a camp where your child will be able to stay longer as time goes on.  You don’t want to have to switch camp environments so your child can go for more time as they get older.  Think about what you would like your summers to look like before choosing a camp.   Know that many seven week camps offer shorter sessions for your child’s first summer. There are also session camps where you can go for part of the summer or the full summer. 

If you have the time to tour camps, it’s always great to see camp in action the summer before your child will attend.  This gives families a good feel for the culture of the camp.  Overnight camps offer tours in the summer and sometimes into the fall.  Day camps will tour all year round so even if you can’t see the camp in action in the summer, you can tour and see the buildings in fall, winter or spring.   If you are unable to tour, don’t worry!  Many camps have virtual tours on their websites and you can set up a zoom call with the leadership team to learn more about the camp.

There are many ways to find a day or overnight camp.  Speak with friends about their child’s experience at camp but also do your own research as each child and family is different.  What is a perfect camp for one family might not be the best for yours.  You can search our find-a-camp website, attend a camp fair, visit a camp’s open house, tour camps the summer before or pick up the phone and call the American Camp Association, NY and NJ for free, personalized advice in finding a camp.

First, think about what you would like the camp experience to look like for your child.  Are you looking for a full summer experience or a few weeks?  Are you looking for a specialty camp or a program that offers a variety of activities?  Are you looking for an elective or traditional program?  Writing down your must-have items for the camp experience will help you focus your camp search to find the best camp for your child.

There is no perfect age to start overnight camp—it’s when your child is ready for the experience.   Some children are ready by age eight.  Others at age ten or older.  Your child should be able to take care of certain things independently such as showering, brushing their teeth and feel comfortable sleeping out of the home.  Your child should also be able to express an interest in overnight camp and feel excited about the experience.  This doesn’t mean there won’t be any nervousness as camp approaches but there should be an interest.