Home from Camp: What to Expect (and How to Support Them)

As the summer winds down and your camper returns home, you might notice a few things right away: an extra big hug, a strange new chant, a bag full of laundry... and maybe a child who is exhausted, a little taller, a bit tanner, but most importantly, happy.

That’s completely normal.

This summer was packed with new experiences. Your child likely learned new skills, made new friends, and gained confidence in all kinds of ways. They’re returning more independent, a little more grown-up, and probably in serious need of both a nap and a shower.

Below are a few helpful tips to prepare yourself for your camper’s re-entry into the “real world”:

1. Prepare for Exhaustion

Camp is go-go-go—activities, laughter, late nights, early mornings, and emotional goodbyes. Add in big events like Maccabiah and Banquet, and your camper is likely running on fumes. Give them time to rest, recharge, and settle back in at their own pace.

2. Avoid the Interrogation

(Even Though You’re Dying to Know Everything)

We know that you’ve missed them! You're curious about their friends, counselors, bunk life, and that mystery person you saw in the photo gallery. But try to resist the urge to ask 10,000 questions as soon as they get in the car.

Some kids come home with a waterfall of stories. Others need time to process everything. Let them take the lead. They’ll talk when they’re ready. One helpful idea: a few days after they’ve had time to settle, go through the camp photo gallery together. It’s a great way to prompt memories and spark conversations naturally.

3. Focus on the Positive

No experience is perfect, not even camp. Maybe your child didn’t love every meal, every moment, or every bunkmate. And that’s okay. As parents, we can model how to reflect on the good without giving too much energy to the hard parts.

Even challenges like homesickness or social conflict can be reframed as accomplishments. They got through it and that’s something to be proud of.

Here are a few gentle, open-ended questions to help guide the conversation:

Who are some of the friends you made? Where are they from?
What were some of your favorite activities?
Did you accomplish any goals you hoped to?
What’s something you did for the first time that made you proud?
Tell me about one of your favorite counselors.
What was one of your favorite evening programs?

4. Wait Before Asking About Next Summer

It’s tempting to ask right away: “So… do you want to go back next year?!” But it’s best to hold off, at least for now. Let your camper settle back into their home routine and reflect on the experience. You’ll get a more thoughtful, genuine answer once they’ve had time to process it all.

Final Thoughts

Camp gives kids so much—confidence, independence, resilience, new friendships, and unforgettable memories. They may come home dirty, tired, and full of stories (even if they don’t share them right away), but they also come home changed in the best possible ways.

Give them time. Give them space. And get ready, you’ll start hearing the stories when you least expect it.