Introduction
Are you contemplating overnight summer camp for your child? Maybe you are weighing the benefits of overnight camp vs day camp. Or perhaps you are nervous about sending your child away to camp. It might be that you can’t decide if co-ed or single sex options are best for your child. If this is you, you’ve come to the right spot.
Overnight summer camp isn’t just about fun and games; it’s about personal growth, making lifelong friendships, and discovering new interests. Whether you’re a parent to a seasoned camper or a first-time adventurer, this guide is your ultimate resource to help you make the most of your child’s overnight summer camp experience.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Essential tips for choosing the perfect camp– from considering your interests and goals to understanding the different types of camps available.
- Packing lists and survival hacks– ensure you’re prepared for anything, with our expert advice on what to bring and how to handle unexpected situations.
- Activities and challenges– discover the exciting adventures that await you, from hiking and swimming to arts and crafts and leadership skills.
- Traditions and community– learn how overnight summer camps create community and foster friendships that last a lifetime.
- Life beyond camp– see how camp can provide opportunities for personal growth, tangible skills, and friends and connections that last into adulthood.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s embark on this incredible journey together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
How to Choose an Overnight Summer Camp
Selecting the right overnight summer camp can be a thrilling yet daunting task. Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision:
- Camp Type. What does the camp offer? This should be a huge consideration when choosing a camp. There are a wide range of activities that summer camps can offer, so think about the type of experience you are hoping for and do the research!
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- Traditional camps offer a wide range of outdoor activities and focus on building character and social skills. The will feature sports, arts, and adventure activities. Traditional camps may also be equipped with rustic accommodations and opportunities to interact with nature.
- Specialty sports camps cater to specific sports and focus on improving technical skills and/or team play. These camps will often offer high-level coaching and enhanced athletic training.
- Academic camps offer opportunities to delve deep into subjects of interest, whether it is advanced math, robotics, theater, creative writing, and more. If a child is already displaying aptitude or interest, this may be an option to explore.
- Location and Environment. Where do you want to go? Consider factors like climate, scenery, and proximity to home. Do you prefer a rural or urban setting? Are you looking for activities like hiking or waterskiing? If so, location will be an important factor!
- Camp Philosophy and Values. What are the camp’s values? Look for a camp that aligns with your family’s beliefs and values. What is the camp’s approach to discipline and safety? Are you looking for an opportunity for your daughter to be in an all girls environment? Or is a co-ed camp a more desirable structure? Ensure that the camp’s policies are in line with your expectations.
- Cost and Financial Aid. What is the camp’s tuition? Consider your budget and explore any available financial aid options. Are there additional fees for activities or supplies? Factor these costs into your overall budget.
While you are considering these factors, there are some practical tips to support your decision-making process. One place to start is the American Camp Association. They offer a huge database of every kind of camp with easy to follow steps to narrow your search. You may also want to check out camppage.com, summercamps.com, and local camp fairs. Facebook groups like Summer Camp Talk can also be helpful as well as talking to friends and family who have sent their children to camp.
Getting Ready for Camp
So you have decided to take the plunge and send your child to an overnight summer camp! Congratulations! I am sure the decision was hard. But now that you are registered, there are still tough choices ahead and practical circumstances to consider. Many camps put out parent guides or packing lists, but there are lots of other ways to prepare.
- What to pack? Usually, the camp you select will send a packing list with a recommended number of t-shirts and suggested footwear. These are super helpful. But this letter to a first-time camper will help your child come to camp prepared for the fun!
- How to pack? So you’ve laid out all of the required and suggested items on the guest bed. Now what? Review the Packing for camp: Trunk vs Duffle guide to determine the best way to pack for camp.
- Managing worries. Are you concerned about homesickness, friendship troubles, or injuries? Or maybe you have a child with specific dietary needs. This Letter to First-Time Parents will guide you through these expected feelings and provide practical tips and strategies!
Building Skills and Character
Why do we even send our kids away to camp? Sure, the childcare aspect is nice. But day camp is more economical and covers the working hours. Is the stress, cost, and travel worth it? What really are the benefits of overnight camp? Oftentimes, when a child gets away from the routines of home life, they find themselves getting out of their comfort zones, trying new things, making new friends and discovering new versions of themselves!
- Building strong kids. While summer camp usually provides lots of ways to be active and healthy, I am not necessarily referring to building physically strong. Camp also provides endless opportunities to build independence, resilience, and confidence. Kids at camp will need to clean their bunks and clear their tables. They will try and fail in new activities. And try again. They will learn how to comfort their cabin mates or lead their team. In short, they will become empowered at camp!
- Adventure skills you can’t find at home. Overnight summer camp is where kids find adventure. If you live in a city, or even most suburbs, chances are you are hours away from the nearest mountain. A pristine lake ideal for water skiing might be something you’d have to plan a day trip for. Horseback riding, sailing, and archery are all adventure activities that require specific locations and instruction. At overnight summer camp all of these things are onsite and readily available for campers to … adventure!
- Technology-free environment to build friendship and social skills. One of the greatest benefits of overnight summer camp is unplugging from phones, texts, social media, and the internet. Spending weeks in a tech-free camp increases campers abilities to form and maintain meaningful social relationships.
Traditions that Create Community
Overnight summer camp and traditions go hand in hand. Ask any overnight summer camp alum or look at any pop culture summer camp reference and you will see that traditions are what make summer camps tick! Campfire songs, color teams, awards, competitions. Campers come back to camp each summer eagerly anticipating the traditions that have kept the camp alive and thriving for sometimes over a century long.
At Camp Jeanne d’Arc, the traditions run deep. Here are a few examples of the types of traditions that create a shared experience across generations.
- Wishing Night. During one of the oldest and most revered traditions, campers at Camp Jeanne d’Arc participate in Wishing Night. During a camp-wide beach bonfire, campers take a sliver of birch tree, light a candle atop, and gently set the candle on Chateaugay Lake, and make a wish.
- Christmas in July. At Camp Jeanne d’Arc’s Christmas in July, campers dress in red and green and sing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs, drink hot cocoa, eat gooey cinnamon rolls, and relish in a community of strong girls.
- Fourth of July. The traditional celebration of the Fourth of July at Camp Jeanne d’Arc includes a waterslide, ship-to-shore, greasy watermelon, and a delicious BBQ with all the fixings!.
- Smugglers. The game of Smugglers at Camp Jeanne d’Arc is a memorable tradition that campers are always eager to play! The late night hide- and-seek game with many twists and turns is a peak camp experience!
- Banquet. Each camp will typically have an end of the season celebration. These celebrations, like Camp Jeanne d’Arc’s Banquet Night, honor campers’ growth in all areas and bring the entire camp community together to honor the friendships and the achievements!
What Comes Next?
Your child had the time of their life at summer camp. Now what? They learned new skills, fostered new friendships, perhaps became a slightly different version of themselves when they were away. Now it is time to reconcile their new selves back into their world at home. The transition home from summer camp can be tricky. But here are some benefits that will last a lifetime.
- Confidence and independence. Being away from parents and the routines of home life gives kids the confidence to try new things, explore their passions, and understand their own self worth!
- New set of skills. Archery, canoeing, theater, first aid, riflery … and the lust can go on and on. Overnight summer camps give kids the opportunity to learn new skills and develop those skills as they return to camp each summer.
- A set of friends outside of their school communities. Camp friends often last a lifetime as the shared experiences of traditions, activities, and cabin life create long-lasting bonds!
- A way to talk about themselves as leaders and community builders. Overnight summer camp often provides campers with opportunities to do service projects, take on leadership roles, and earn achievement awards. If your child is applying for a school or an enrichment program, they will have a way to talk about their leadership and community building skills.
- A network of camp alum to be resources or mentors for their future endeavors. The alumni community of overnight summer camps can be really powerful. Connections at camp can lead to professional networking, introduction to career paths, or mentor/mentee relationships.
Conclusion
As you and your child embark on their overnight summer camp adventure, remember that it’s more than just a vacation; it’s an opportunity for personal growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences. By following the tips and advice in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared for you and your child to make the most of it.
Whether your child is exploring new passions, challenging themselves physically, or simply making lifelong friends, the memories your camper creates at summer camp will stay with them forever. So, pack up, embrace the adventure, and get ready for a summer they’ll never forget!