Leaving for the first camp with ease and safety? With our tips, you’ve got this!

Summer camps are an inseparable part of summer and school holidays. Some children will be going for the very first time, which often brings more or less stress — both for the kids and their parents. To help you avoid as much of it as possible, we’ve put together a few tips on how to prepare your child for camp so they can feel calm and truly enjoy the experience.

When children head off to camp for the first time, they’re stepping into the unknown — and that’s the main source of their worries. What will the camp leaders be like? Will I make friends? Can I take care of myself? Will I manage all the activities? Many of these concerns can be eased even before they leave.

Get to know the organizers

If the camp organizer hosts other events, be sure not to miss them! It’s a great opportunity to meet some of the future camp participants. Take a look at their website, social media, and photos where you can see the faces of the camp leaders. That way, they won’t be complete strangers when your little camper sees them for the first time at the bus departure.

Get to know the camp environment

Read through the camp program together. It will give your child a much clearer idea of what to expect. Should they prepare for a long hiking trip or night watch shifts? Will there be an all-camp game, or will the kids spend each day doing activities related to the camp’s theme?

Many organizers have photos and videos from previous years on their websites or social media. Be sure to check them out — it’s a great way to get a real feel for how things work at camp.

Pack a friend along

It’s great when a child doesn’t go to camp alone but is joined by a friend or sibling. That way, they’re guaranteed to have at least one familiar face and a kindred spirit. Sharing a summer adventure can strengthen the bond between siblings. It’s wonderful when they help each other and know they can rely on one another. However, don’t place too much responsibility on the older sibling for looking after the younger one. They also deserve to fully enjoy the camp experience without constantly worrying about their brother or sister.

Camp practice run

Is your child not exactly the outdoorsy type? Maybe that’s exactly why you chose a camp where they’ll try something new. But it’s not ideal if they’re sleeping in a tent for the first time without the comfort of home and have to swap their favorite blanket for an unfamiliar sleeping bag. So plan a family weekend at a campsite and try out new things together. Go on longer hikes where your future camper carries their own backpack and starts taking care of their belongings.

Likewise, it’s not ideal if a child isn’t used to sleeping away from home and experiences it for the first time at camp. So start practicing — for example, with sleepovers at friends’ houses or school sleep-in events. Take advantage of a school trip or nature school, which usually lasts just five days and offers the comfort of familiar friends and adults. A great first step toward independence can also be a day camp.

Don’t overdo the preparations

Talk about what camp will be like and all the exciting things that will happen there. But don’t overdo it — too much detail or overly enthusiastic praise can backfire. Your future camper might see through it and start feeling like something’s wrong and you’re trying to hide the truth.

Don’t bring up homesickness on your own. But if you see that your child is worried about it, don’t ignore their concerns. Talk about how a little homesickness is completely normal, but remind them how a few days apart are nothing compared to all the years you’ve already spent together — and all those still to come. Tell them how excited you are to hear all their stories when they get back.

Let’s be honest — the first camp departure is often not easy for us parents either. But keep those worries to yourself and don’t burden your child with them. A tearful goodbye from mom definitely won’t boost their confidence.

Some parents, on the other hand, tend to scare their child by emphasizing that at camp they’ll have to listen, clean up, handle a long hike, or even that no one will cut them any slack. They try to use camp preparation as a way to teach independence and discipline. But this is really not the right approach or motivation.

Don’t forget about safety and support

We have to admit we don’t live in a perfect world, and even if we choose the camp very carefully, there’s still a chance that a child might encounter behavior from an adult or another child that isn’t okay. That’s why it’s important to talk about what they don’t have to tolerate and how to react in such situations. Don’t leave this conversation for the last minute — it’s better not to send your child off with added worries. Discuss this topic calmly, even months in advance, as it’s relevant not only for summer camps but for many other life situations too. You can use various videos or books that deal with this topic to help guide the conversation.

We believe that with these tips, both you and your little adventurer will be ready to enjoy new summer experiences. Now all that’s left is to pack everything that’s needed. To make it easier for you — and to ensure nothing important gets left behind — we’ve prepared a downloadable Summer Camp Packing Checklist just for you.

Wishing you smooth and joyful preparations, Your Mama Labels Team.