You can tell if your child is ready for overnight camp by talking to them about it and considering their history of sleepovers. The average age kids attend their first overnight camp is between 7 and 9-years-old. This is simply an average, some 6-year-olds love going to sleepaway camp, while some 10-year-olds are too immature to attend camp of any kind just yet. Age alone cannot be used to determine if your child is ready for sleepover camp.
One-Night Starlight Sleepover Camp
We offer a one-night Starlight Sleepover camp that’s perfect for campers that have never slept away from home at camp before. The tradition takes place every July, during the second session of summer camp. Children from all our camp locations are invited to spend the night making s’mores, forming a drum circle, building a campfire, singing songs, and gazing at the stars. Campers sleep in comfortable air conditioned cabins at Birch State Park. They wake up to a delicious breakfast the following morning.
Learn more here: https://www.campliveoakfl.com/starlight-sleepover/
Is My Child Ready for Overnight Camp?
You know your child better than anyone. Openly talk to your child about sleepaway camp and how they feel about it. Consider their history of sleepovers in the past; have they slept away from home before?
Openly Talk to Your Child About Sleepover Camp
Ask your child how they feel about sleeping at camp. Some kids jump to say yes, not really thinking about how they’ll feel when the lights go out and it’s time to go to sleep in a strange bed, away from all the comforts of home. Other kids might start off a little hesitant, and then end up having a great time. You know your child better than anyone, which qualifies you to analyze their answer and pair it with their history of sleepovers.
If your child is adamant about being ready for camp, discuss their expectations for what it’ll be like. Once you’ve filled them in on the reality, do they still want to go? If yes, they are probably ready to give it a shot.
Consider Your Child’s History of Sleepovers
Has your child slept away from home before? Have they slept over at a friend’s house without fail? Consider how your child handled overnight situations, did they have a great time, or get homesick and call you wanting to be picked up early? If your child hasn’t had many sleepovers, aside from Grandma and Grandpa’s house, consider sending them off to a sleepover at a friend’s house and see how they do.
How to Help Prepare Your Child for Overnight Camp
Here are several ways you can help prepare your child for their first experience at overnight camp.
Send them to a one-night sleepover camp.
Our Starlight Sleepover Camp is the perfect opportunity for kids to experience a sleepover camp without becoming overwhelmed. It’s easier for kids to relax and have a good time if they are not worried about sleeping away for weeks at a time. You can gauge how your child feels after experiencing a one-night sleepaway camp to determine if they are ready for a longer sleepover camp.
Find the right camp.
There are two things that impact your peace of mind when sending your child to camp. First, is your child ready for the experience, and second, do you trust the camp they are attending? It is so important to do your research and seek out an ACA-accredited camp with a long-standing reputation in the community. Your child’s first experience at sleepover camp should be nothing other than positive.
Talk it over with them.
Openly discuss what it’ll be like sleeping at camp, and give your child suggestions in case they start to feel uncomfortable, homesick, etc. Let them know all these feelings are completely normal when staying in an unfamiliar environment, but to try and enjoy the experience because they’ll be back home before they know it. Go over scenarios, say for instance their friend becomes good friends with someone else they meet at camp. Helping your child problem solve ahead of time can prepare them for whatever happens at camp.
