Your child going to summer camp for the first time is a big step in her life. So how do you know when it’s the right time to send your child to camp? The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, recommends that families consider the following when figuring out whether their children are ready for camp and how to prepare for the experience:
Age
You want to consider your child’s age when considering camp. Day camps are designed for children 3 years old and up. Kids can go to sleep-away camp at the age of 7. But families should keep in mind that just because a child is 7 years old doesn’t mean she is emotionally ready for sleep-away camp.
Interest and readiness
Talk to your child and assess her readiness. How did your child become interested in going to camp? Is she excited about camp? Is she comfortable separating from you? Answering these questions will help you determine if your child is both interested and ready for camp.
Remember, the decision to go to camp should be made together. Keep in mind that the more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel. This helps ease concerns about camp, and can help make a child’s camp experience more successful.
Day or sleep-away
If you are considering sleep-away camp, make sure your child has had successful overnights away from home with friends and relatives. Were these overnights positive experiences?
You want to make sure your child is mature enough to go away for an extended period of time and that she can do certain things independently — like showering, getting dressed, and brushing her teeth.
Expectations
Learn about the camp program ahead of time and create positive expectations for your child. Talk about it leading up to the beginning of camp. When you can, tour the site before registering. Touring allows children to get a feel for the location and can build her excitement while also giving her a chance to get to know the camp.
You can also ask a camp director to do a home visit. This will allow you to get to know the director and for your child to get a feel for the program.
Positive messages
It is important for parents to share positive messages about summer camp. It is common for a child to have some apprehension about camp, just like she would for any first experience. Encourage her to talk about these feelings. Let her know you are confident in her ability to have a wonderful experience.
Jess Michaels is the director of communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the summer camp experience. Parents looking for a camp for their child can contact Placement Specialist Renee Flax for free, one-on-one advice in finding a camp at (212) 391–5208. Or visit searchforacamp.org to search accredited camps.
