SLEEPAWAY CAMP READINESS: WHAT PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR By Shannon Dean
T he camp brochure makes it all look so alluring—sunlit cabins, kids grinning with excited faces, and arms tossed around new best friends. It’s easy to picture your child there, soaking up independence and adventure. But then the doubts creep in. Are they really ready? What if they’re homesick? What if they can’t fall asleep without me? If you’re asking these questions, you’re in good company. Many parents worry about camp readiness for good reason. It’s a huge step. But camp readiness rarely comes down to the number on your child’s birth- day cake. It’s much more about developmental readiness. In fact, when parents shift the focus from age to skills, it becomes easier to see what truly matters: a unique blend of indepen- dence, confidence, social skills, and emo-
tional strength. Dr. Chris Thurber, author of The Summer Camp Handbook , notes, “The age at which a young person might go to overnight camp for the first time depends a lot on their previous life experiences. It really is going to depend on the parent or primary caregiver looking carefully at the child’s readiness, which depends on the previous experience that child has had away from home.” With that in mind, here is a developmen- tal checklist to help you see the full picture: The Independence Index: Beyond Tying Shoes: A natural starting point is day-to-day self-care. Can your child handle the basics? Can they brush their teeth well, take a thorough shower (hair included), or change their clothes without constantly being reminded?
48 2026 | ULTIMATE CAMP GUIDE
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