For many families, summer camp is a milestone filled with excitement, growth, and new experiences. But when it comes to preparing kids for summer camp, it’s completely normal for children to feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety, even if they have been to camp before.
Whether it’s worries about making friends, trying new activities, or spending time away from home, these feelings are part of the process. The goal isn’t to eliminate nerves entirely, but rather to help your child feel supported, capable, and ready to take on something new.
Here are practical, compassionate strategies for preparing kids for summer camp in a way that builds confidence and emotional resilience.
Start Preparing Kids for Summer Camp with Open Conversations
One of the most important steps in preparing kids for summer camp is simply talking about it. Luckily, Camp Starfish already has a blog article specifically for talking about camp for children with disabilities, or for those who may experience more anxiety than the typical camper.
Invite your child to share how they’re feeling, and be open to both the excitement and the worries. Ask open-ended questions like:
- “What are you most looking forward to?”
- “Is there anything you’re feeling unsure about?”
By normalizing their emotions and answering questions honestly, you help replace uncertainty with understanding, which is an essential part of building confidence.
Build Familiarity to Make Camp Feel Less Unknown
A big part of preparing kids for summer camp is helping them feel like camp isn’t a complete mystery.
You can:
- Look at photos or videos of camp together. In addition to what you’ll find on social media, check the camp’s web page to see if they have photos of the campsite. You can find pictures of the Camp Starfish site here.
- Review any materials the camp has about what a typical day looks like. Read through program guides, reviews, and more. You may build familiarity with certain activities that are causing your camper anxiety. For example, if your camper is worried about playing basketball with other kids, maybe they can take time before camp to practice shooting hoops on the court at the local park.
- Ask to build familiarity with a person at camp. At Camp Starfish, we offer the opportunity for campers to speak with a director on Zoom so they have a face to recognize at camp and to ask their questions directly to someone who works there. We also offer open house events at the beginning of the summer so that campers can meet other campers and staff who will be working with them during the summer.
When children can picture what their experience might look like, it reduces anxiety and helps them mentally prepare for the experience.
Practice Independence in Small Steps
If your child is new to being away from home, easing into independence is key when preparing kids for summer camp. Some campers experience anxiety because they don’t believe they will be able to do all of the small tasks they do each day at home without help from their parents. Talk about this with your camper, and make sure they feel confident sleeping in a new place, completing all of their hygiene tasks, and asking for help when they need it.
For campers who need practice to feel confident in these areas, we recommend:
- Having campers practice sleeping somewhere new by having sleepovers with friends, relatives, or even a family sleepover in the living room or in a tent in the backyard.
- Having campers try new extracurricular activities like a new sport or afterschool club to get used to experiencing new routines and meeting new people.
- Practicing routines like getting ready for bed independently, showering independently, and getting ready in the morning independently.
These small experiences build confidence and show children they can handle time away from home successfully.
Involve Your Child in Preparing for Camp
Another effective way of preparing kids for summer camp is giving them a sense of control over their experience. There are many ways that kids can be involved in preparing for camp.
Let your child:
- Help pack their bags and pick out which clothes they would like to wear while they’re there.
- Choose comfort items to bring like which stuffed animals will come with them, which photos they would like to bring to hang next to their bed, and which “special” items they can include (like a deck of cards, a journal, etc.).
- Help your camper decide which activities they would like to do when they’re at camp. Encourage them to identify the activities they know they already enjoy doing, and also identify some that will be new to them.
Feeling involved transforms camp from something that’s “happening to them” into something they’re actively part of.
Teach Simple Coping Strategies
Preparing kids for summer camp also means equipping them with tools they can use if they feel overwhelmed. Luckily, there are many simple coping strategies you can teach to kips to prepare them for summer camp anxiety.
You might practice:
- Taking slow, deep breaths. There are many fun, simple breathing exercises for kids that are available online.
- Doing simple exercises like stretching for stress relief, or chair push-ups for a heavier task.
- Practicing self-advocacy for when a problem cannot be solved independently.
These strategies empower children to manage challenges on their own, which is an important part of their growth.
Keep Goodbyes Calm and Confident
Drop-off day is a big moment in preparing kids for summer camp. While emotions may run high, your approach can make a big difference. Kids look toward adults to know how they should think and feel in situations. If your camper sees you feeling calm and confident, hopefully they will, too.
Because of this, it is important that “goodbyes” before camp are:
- Brief
- Positive
- Reassuring
A confident send-off communicates trust and helps your child transition more smoothly into their new environment.
Send Comfort from Home
Even as you’re preparing kids for summer camp to be independent, a small piece of home can provide reassurance. Sending your camper to camp with pre-arranged letters or small packages to be opened from home can give them something to look forward to each day.
Consider sending:
- A handwritten note with encouraging words.
- A family photo or photos of pets.
- Printable games like crosswords or word searches.
These items can offer comfort during quiet moments and help children feel connected while they’re away.
Partner with Camp Staff for Support
When preparing kids for summer camp, especially those who may feel anxious, communication with camp staff is invaluable.
Sharing insights about your child’s personality, strengths, or concerns allows counselors to provide extra support and encouragement from day one.
Luckily, the application process for Camp Starfish is incredibly thorough and asks about these aspects of your child proactively.
Focus on Growth, Not Perfection
An important mindset shift in preparing kids for summer camp is helping them understand that camp doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
Encourage your child to:
- Try something new while they are here (even if it’s something small!).
- Introduce themselves to someone new.
- Keep going even if something feels challenging.
Growth happens in these small, brave moments. And at Starfish, we make sure to celebrate the small wins just as much as the big wins.
Final Thoughts: Preparing Kids for Summer Camp Is Preparing Them for Life
Preparing kids for summer camp is about more than packing a bag. It’s about helping them build confidence, independence, and resilience.
It’s normal for children to feel nervous before something new. But with thoughtful preparation and support, those nerves often transform into pride, connection, and a sense of accomplishment.
And when your child returns home with new skills, friendships, and stories to tell, you’ll see that preparing kids for summer camp was the first step in something truly impactful.
