By Dr. Keri Downs, Licensed Psychologist
As summer approaches, the excitement of campfires, outdoor adventures, and new friendships arise. Summer camp is a time-honored tradition, a rite of passage for many children that offers a unique blend of fun, independence, and personal growth. However, the prospect of spending time away from home, making new friends, and trying new activities can be daunting for both children and parents alike. This blog post aims to address the common anxieties associated with summer camp and provide strategies to overcome them.
Understanding Summer Camp Anxiety
Anxiety about summer camp is perfectly normal and can stem from various concerns such as separation from parents, sleeping in a new environment, social pressures, or fear of the unknown. Children may worry about fitting in, while parents might have concerns about their child’s safety and well-being. Understanding and addressing these concerns is crucial for a positive camp experience.
Tips for Parents: Preparing Your Child for Camp
Helping children manage anxiety about summer camp involves a combination of preparation, communication, and support. Parents can help their children navigate their feelings and set them up for a successful and enjoyable summer camp experience. Remember, it’s about managing anxiety, not eliminating it, and fostering resilience and independence in your child. Try the following strategies as you prepare your child for camp:
- Ownership of the Experience: Involve your child in the process of choosing the camp and preparing for it. This can help them feel more in control and less anxious.
- Focus on the Positive: Encourage excitement about camp by discussing the fun activities and new friendships that await. Avoid dwelling on potential sources of anxiety.
- Open Communication: Ask open-ended questions about how they feel and what they’re looking forward to, rather than leading questions that might increase anxiety.
- Empathy Over Reassurance: Acknowledge their feelings without trivializing them. Show understanding and empathy for their concerns.
- Detail-Oriented Conversations: Discuss specific aspects of the camp experience, like cabin life or campfire activities, rather than abstract worries.
- Share Positive Experiences: Reflect on your own positive experiences away from home and share these stories with your child.
- Practice Separation: Arrange sleepovers or stays with relatives to help your child get used to being away from home.
- Ease Goodbyes: Keep farewells brief at the bus stop or camp drop-off to prevent escalating anxiety.
- Accessible Communication: Make sure your child knows how they can contact you if needed and discuss the camp’s communication policies.
- Recognize Normal Nerves: Understand that some nervousness is normal but be alert for signs of more severe anxiety that may require additional support.
- Recall Past Successes: Remind your child of previous times they’ve successfully managed new situations, which can boost their confidence.
- Encourage Making Friends Early: Try to connect them with other campers before camp starts through social media or pre-camp meetups.
- Allow Comfort Items: Pack a favorite stuffed animal, photo, or blanket that reminds them of home
Summer camp anxiety is a hurdle that can be overcome with preparation and understanding. By using the above strategies, parents can help their children overcome their anxiety and enjoy their time away from home.
In addition, studies have shown that overnight summer camps can be therapeutic, reducing self-reported anxiety among youth, including those with diagnosed behavioral and emotional concerns. Recent studies underscore the potential of summer camps as supportive environments for mental health, offering a break from technology and fostering community living, peer relationships, and physical activity. The structured yet relaxed setting of a camp can provide a therapeutic experience, boosting positive mood, self-confidence, and reducing negative emotions. By leveraging the therapeutic benefits of camp environments, parents and children can transform anxiety into an opportunity for growth and resilience.
Trotzky, Z., Trotzky, R., Laliberte, J., Thurber, C., & Belknap, C. (n.d.). TREATING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN YOUTH: SUMMER CAMP AS A MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. Retrieved May 21, 2024
If you would like to talk about summer anxiety or get some help navigating parenting challenges, contact us today!