First-Time Sleepaway Camp: The Complete Parent's Guide (2026)

Your child sleeping in a cabin with kids they've never met, supervised by college-age counselors, miles from home. It sounds terrifying when you put it that way. And yet, sleepaway camp remains one of the most consistently positive experiences in childhood— building independence, resilience, and friendships that often last decades.

The key to a successful first camp experience isn't luck. It's preparation—choosing the right camp, preparing your child emotionally and practically, and managing your own anxiety so it doesn't transfer to them.

🎯Is Your Child Ready for Sleepaway Camp?

There's no universal "right age" for sleepaway camp. Some 7-year-olds thrive; some 12-year-olds aren't ready. What matters more than age is developmental readiness.

Signs Your Child May Be Ready:

✓They've successfully slept away from home at grandparents', friends' houses, or school trips without significant distress
✓They can handle basic self-care: showering, dressing, remembering medications, managing belongings
✓They can communicate their needs to unfamiliar adults when something is wrong
✓They express genuine interest in going—not just agreeing because you want them to
✓They can follow group rules and work within structured environments
✓They have some coping strategies for when they feel sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed

Signs They May Need More Time:

→Significant anxiety about sleepovers, even at familiar places
→Difficulty separating from parents in everyday situations (school drop-off, etc.)
→They're agreeing to camp only to please you or because of peer pressure
→Major life transitions happening simultaneously (divorce, move, new school)
→Struggles significantly with unstructured social situations

Readiness by Age: General Guidelines

Ages 6-7: Mini-Camp or Extended Day

Most children this age do best with day camps or very short overnight experiences (1-2 nights). Some camps offer "mini-sessions" designed specifically for this age group.

Ages 8-9: One-Week Sessions

Many children are ready for a week-long session. This is the most common age for first-time sleepaway campers. Look for camps with strong first-timer programs.

Ages 10-12: Standard Sessions

Ready for 2-4 week sessions at most camps. May be emotionally ready for more challenging programs (wilderness, specialty camps).

Ages 13+: Extended Programs

Ready for longer sessions, teen leadership programs, or adventure expeditions. At this age, peer recommendation often matters more than parental encouragement.

💭Are YOU Ready? (Honest Talk for Parents)

Here's something camp directors won't always say directly: your anxiety is the biggest predictor of your child's anxiety. Children are remarkably perceptive. If you're terrified, they'll sense it.

Common Parent Fears (That Are Normal):

• "What if something happens and I'm not there?"
• "What if they're miserable and I forced them into this?"
• "What if they don't make friends?"
• "What if the counselors don't really watch them?"
• "What if they need me and can't reach me?"

These fears are universal. But here's the reality: well-run camps have handled thousands of first-time campers. They know the signs of homesickness. They know how to help kids make friends. They have medical staff, emergency protocols, and trained counselors whose entire job is your child's wellbeing.

How to Manage Your Own Anxiety:

1Do your research thoroughly so you genuinely trust the camp you've chosen
2Talk to other parents whose children have attended—hearing positive experiences helps
3Plan how YOU will fill the time while they're gone—empty hours fuel worry
4Don't verbalize your fears to your child—it plants seeds of worry
5Remember why you're doing this: independence, resilience, joy

🎪Choosing the Right First Camp

Not all camps are equally suited for first-timers. Here's what to prioritize:

Look For:

✓ Shorter session options (1-2 weeks)
✓ Specific first-timer orientation programs
✓ Strong communication with parents
✓ Smaller camp size or cabin groups
✓ Close enough to visit in emergency
✓ Clear homesickness policies
✓ ACA accreditation

Avoid for First-Timers:

✗ Very long sessions (4+ weeks)
✗ Remote wilderness programs
✗ Highly competitive environments
✗ "No contact" policies with parents
✗ Camps far from home
✗ Programs with mostly returning campers

Pro Tip: Visit First

If at all possible, visit the camp before committing. Let your child see the cabins, meet staff, and visualize where they'll be. Many camps offer open houses or tours in spring. This single step dramatically reduces first-day anxiety.

📅12-Week Preparation Timeline

Start preparing about 3 months before camp. This timeline builds skills and confidence gradually.

Weeks 12-10: Plant the Seeds

• Start talking positively about camp (without pressure)
• Read books about camp together
• Look at photos/videos from the camp website
• If they have concerns, acknowledge them without dismissing

Weeks 9-7: Practice Sleepovers

• Arrange sleepovers with trusted friends or family
• Increase duration gradually (1 night → 2 nights)
• Let them experience minor discomfort and work through it
• Celebrate their bravery afterward

Weeks 6-4: Build Independence

• Practice self-care routines: showering, hair washing, making bed
• Have them pack their own bag for day trips
• Let them order food and interact with adults independently
• Practice asking for help from non-parent adults

Weeks 3-2: Get Practical

• Shop for camp supplies together (let them choose some items)
• Label everything with their name
• Do a trial pack and review the list
• Write pre-dated letters to send during camp

Week 1: Final Prep

• Complete final packing (use the camp's official list)
• Review what to expect on arrival day
• Discuss coping strategies for homesickness
• Plan something special for when they return
• Keep your own emotions in check—excitement, not anxiety

🎒What to Pack

Your camp will provide a specific packing list—follow it exactly. Don't over-pack. Here are the essentials most camps require:

Clothing (for 1 week)

• 7-8 t-shirts
• 7-8 underwear
• 7-8 pairs of socks
• 3-4 shorts
• 2 long pants
• 2 sweatshirts/hoodies
• 2 swimsuits
• Pajamas (2 sets)
• Rain jacket
• Hat for sun

Footwear

• Sneakers/athletic shoes (2 pairs—one will get wet)
• Sandals with back straps
• Flip flops for shower
• Water shoes if required

The Often-Forgotten Items

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water bottle (labeled)
• Laundry bag
• Plastic bags for wet/dirty items
• Stationery, stamps, addresses
• Books or quiet activities
• Comfort item from home
• Photos of family/pets
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Bug spray

What NOT to Pack:

• Electronics (phones, tablets, games)—most camps prohibit them
• Expensive jewelry or items you'd be upset to lose
• Food (attracts animals and violates allergy policies)
• Anything not on the camp's list

👋The Drop-Off: Saying Goodbye

Drop-off day is emotional. How you handle it sets the tone for their entire experience.

Do:

✓Project calm confidence, even if you're nervous inside
✓Help them settle into the cabin and meet their counselor
✓Keep goodbyes brief and positive—"You're going to have so much fun!"
✓Trust the counselors to take over—that's literally their job
✓Leave when the camp suggests—lingering makes it harder

Don't:

✗Cry in front of your child (save it for the car)
✗Make promises like "Call me if you want to come home"—this gives them an escape hatch that undermines commitment
✗Sneak away without saying goodbye—this breaks trust
✗Keep coming back for "one more hug"
✗Express your own anxiety ("I'm going to miss you SO much")

If They Cry at Drop-Off:

This is normal and doesn't predict how the session will go. Counselors are trained for this. Within 24 hours, most crying campers are fully engaged and happy. Trust the process. If there are genuine concerns, the camp will contact you.

📬While They're Away

Letters from Home

Write upbeat, encouraging letters. Share small news, tell them you're proud of them, ask questions about camp activities. Avoid "We miss you so much!" or anything that might trigger homesickness. Some parents write letters before camp starts so mail arrives on the first days.

Care Packages

Check camp policy first—many restrict or prohibit food. If allowed, send small, shareable treats and fun items (stickers, magazines, small games). Nothing that will make cabin-mates jealous or attract animals.

Resist the Urge to Call

Most camps discourage or limit parent calls because they can trigger homesickness. Trust the camp's communication policy. If there's a genuine problem, they will contact you. No news is good news.

If the Camp Calls About Homesickness

Listen to their assessment. Experienced camps know the difference between normal adjustment and genuine distress. Usually they're calling to strategize, not to suggest pickup. Follow their guidance—they've seen this hundreds of times.

🏠The Homecoming

Your child may be different when they return—more confident, more independent, or sometimes emotionally raw from an intense experience. Here's what to expect:

Normal Post-Camp Behaviors:

•Exhaustion—camp is tiring! Let them rest.
•"Camp talk"—endless stories about cabinmates and inside jokes you won't understand
•Withdrawal—some kids need alone time to process
•"Reverse homesickness"—missing camp and friends
•New independence—they may resist rules that felt normal before

Give It Time

It can take a week or more for children to fully re-adjust to home life. Don't pressure them to share everything immediately. Stories will come out naturally. The most important question: "Do you want to go back next year?"

The Bottom Line

First-time sleepaway camp is a leap of faith—for your child and for you. But with the right preparation, the right camp, and the right mindset, it can be the beginning of something wonderful. The independence, confidence, and friendships that come from camp are gifts that last a lifetime. Trust your child. Trust the camp. And trust yourself.