How will I know when my child is ready for sleep away camp?
Introducing your child to a sleep-away camp where they know home is only a short drive away can be the perfect way to reassure younger children. Being at camp on the weekdays and home on the weekends is often just right for the first experience being away from home.
Counselors for our younger groups are selected for their sensitivity to younger children’s needs and they provide the attention and nurturing that helps these children adjust to their new independence and have lots of fun.
Our older campers are also paired with younger campers for certain activities to help them feel right at home.
For our younger campers (7, 8, 9 years old) a week of sleep-away camp is very exciting. They do very well and have a wonderful time.
How do you know if your young child is ready for camp?
- Consider your child’s level of interest and vocalized desire to go to camp.
- How has your child done during other experiences away from home without you?
- Children who initiate conversations about sleep-away camp and ask questions are often ready for the experience. Children who only talk about it in response to questions from their parents and show no interest or excitement may be nervous and perhaps not yet ready or simply need to learn more about it to get excited.
- Can your child take care of personal needs like showering and shampooing?
- Can your child make his own bed and keep track of his things?
- Does your child like to meet new people and interact with others that may be different from her?
- Are they willing to try new foods?
- Do they enjoy staying overnight at a friend’s house?