Managing Before-Camp Worries: For Parents & Campers
As summer approaches, many families experience a mix of excitement and worry. Camp is filled with opportunities for friendship, adventure, and growth, but it also represents a significant change in routine for both campers and parents. Whether this is your child's first summer away from home or they are a returning camper, feeling a little nervous is completely normal.
When parents think about camp, their worries often fall into two categories. First, there is the worry about how we will feel while our child is away. For some families, camp may be the first extended separation. It can feel strange not knowing how your child's day went or hearing about every detail before bedtime. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Many parents find it helpful to remind themselves of three things: no news is usually good news, their child is capable, and they have chosen a camp community filled with caring adults who are ready to help if challenges arise. These reminders can help us shift our focus from fear to confidence.
The second category of worry centers on our child's ability to navigate camp successfully. Parents often wonder if their child will make friends, sleep well, remember basic self-care routines, or manage feelings of homesickness. These concerns are understandable because camp asks children to practice independence in new ways.
The truth is that some of these challenges may happen. A camper may miss home, have a difficult bedtime, or feel unsure about trying something new. However, these experiences are not signs that camp is going poorly. They are often the very moments where growth happens. Camp staff spend every summer helping children work through homesickness, friendship challenges, and new experiences. As children successfully navigate these situations, they develop confidence in their ability to handle future challenges as well.
One way parents can support this growth is by trusting the process. It can be tempting to rely on camp photos or create special hand signals with your child to gauge how they are doing. While these ideas come from a place of love, they can sometimes send the message that parents need reassurance from their child. This may unintentionally shift a child's focus away from their own camp experience and toward managing a parent's worries. Instead, we want children to learn that when they need support, there are caring adults around them who are ready to help.
Of course, parents are not the only ones who may feel nervous. Many children feel what we affectionately call "nervcited" before camp, both nervous and excited at the same time. Rather than trying to talk children out of these feelings, it is often more helpful to normalize them.
Instead of saying, "There's nothing to worry about," try saying, "A lot of kids feel nervous as camp gets closer. How are you feeling about camp?" This creates space for children to talk openly about their emotions.
If your child struggles to identify what they are feeling, help them put words to it. You may have heard the phrase "Name it to tame it." Research shows that naming emotions helps calm the brain and makes feelings feel more manageable. Sometimes, simply helping a child recognize that they feel nervous, excited, curious, or uncertain can make a big difference.
Another way to build confidence is through preparation. Involve your child in getting ready for camp by reviewing packing lists, shopping for camp gear, labeling clothing, and talking about what camp will be like. The more ownership children have in the preparation process, the more comfortable and confident they often feel.
As camp gets closer, spend time talking about the experiences your child is looking forward to. Ask what they are excited about, what they are curious about, and what they hope to try. Focus on specific activities, traditions, and opportunities rather than broad reassurances that everything will be perfect.
At the same time, don't be afraid to talk about the "what ifs." What if they have trouble falling asleep? What if they don't like a meal? What if they miss home? Talking through these possibilities and brainstorming solutions together helps children see themselves as capable problem-solvers.
It can also be helpful to review coping strategies before camp begins. Whether it's taking deep breaths, drawing, journaling, talking to a trusted adult, or cuddling a favorite stuffed animal at bedtime, children benefit from knowing what tools they can use when they experience stress or worry.
Most importantly, remind your child of challenges they have successfully handled before. Talk about times they started a new school year, joined a team, spent a night away from home, or tried something difficult. These experiences become evidence that they can handle new situations and overcome obstacles.
Ultimately, camp is about much more than activities and traditions. It is a place where children learn that they can do hard things. Every time a camper works through a challenge, asks for help, solves a problem, or manages a difficult feeling, they build resilience and confidence that will serve them long after summer ends.
As camp approaches, remember that feeling nervous doesn't mean your child isn't ready. In fact, it often means they are about to do something brave.
Beber’s Community Care Team strives to support campers and their families not only during the summer, but in the days and weeks leading up to camp. Director of Community Care, Debbie Morris, can connect you with one of our camper care professionals prior to the start of camp if you feel that would benefit you or your child.