By Ava Schenk, MSW, LSW, Inspire Counseling Center Therapist and former Chippewa Ranch Camp counselor

As summer approaches, many children eagerly anticipate camp season. Whether it’s day camp or an overnight experience, camp offers opportunities for friendship, adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable memories.

At the same time, it’s completely normal for kids (and parents!) to feel a little nervous.
New environments, unfamiliar faces, different routines, and time away from family can naturally bring up feelings of anxiety. As both a therapist and someone who spent 10 summers at overnight camp—including serving as a counselor at Camp Chippewa—I have seen countless campers arrive feeling uncertain and leave with greater confidence, resilience, and independence than they ever imagined.

If your child is experiencing pre-camp jitters, here are a few ways you can help support them:

Normalize the Nerves

Feeling nervous about camp doesn’t mean your child isn’t ready for the experience. In fact, excitement and anxiety often go hand in hand. It’s common to have mixed emotions when facing something new—or even returning to a familiar camp after time away.

Let your child know that nervous feelings are normal and expected. You might remind them of other situations where they felt unsure at first, such as starting a new school year, joining a team, or attending a sleepover. Reflecting on past successes can help them remember that they are capable of handling new challenges. Better yet– tell your child a story of a time when you felt nervous and how you overcame it.

Understand Homesickness

One of the most common concerns parents have is homesickness. It’s important to remember that missing home doesn’t mean camp is failing or that your child isn’t having a positive experience.

In many cases, homesickness is actually a sign of a strong, healthy attachment to family and home!

Adjusting to a new environment simply takes time. As campers settle into routines, build friendships, participate in activities, and receive support from counselors and camp staff, those feelings often become more manageable.

Trusting the process can be difficult, but many children discover they are capable of working through uncomfortable emotions and thriving on the other side.

Practice Independence Before Camp Begins

One of the best ways to prepare for camp is to build confidence through small acts of independence beforehand.
Encourage your child to take ownership of age-appropriate tasks such as:

• Packing their own camp bag

• Ordering their own food at a restaurant

• Managing simple daily responsibilities

• Spending a night away from home with trusted friends or family

These experiences help children develop a sense of competence and self-reliance, making the transition to camp feel less intimidating.

Focus on What They’re Moving Toward

When children are anxious, it’s easy for them to focus on what they’ll be missing while they’re away. Instead, help them shift their attention toward what they’re gaining.

Talk about the friendships they’ll build, the activities they’re excited to try, and the memories they’ll create. You might even help them set a few personal goals for the summer, such as trying a new activity, meeting someone new, or learning a new skill.
Framing camp as an opportunity for growth and adventure can help transform nervous anticipation into excitement.

Growth Often Starts Outside Our Comfort Zone

Camp can be a powerful opportunity for children to discover that they are capable of handling challenges—even when those challenges feel uncomfortable at first.

While a little nervousness is normal, those feelings don’t have to hold kids back from meaningful experiences. With support, encouragement, and time to adjust, camp can become a place where children build confidence, independence, resilience, and lifelong memories.

When Extra Support Can Help

For some children, pre-camp nerves go beyond the typical butterflies and begin to interfere with their ability to participate in activities, separate from caregivers, or feel confident in new situations. In these cases, therapy can be a valuable tool for building the skills needed to navigate camp successfully.

Working with a therapist can help children identify their worries, learn coping strategies for managing anxiety, practice problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to handle new experiences. Therapy can also provide parents with guidance on how to support their child while encouraging healthy independence. Whether a child is preparing for their first overnight camp experience or struggling with separation anxiety, having additional support before summer begins can help them feel more prepared, capable, and excited for the adventure ahead.

At Inspire Counseling Center, our therapists work with children and families to build confidence, resilience, and emotional coping skills that can support success not only at camp, but in many of life’s new experiences.

To schedule a session for yourself or someone in your family: 📞 call or text (847) 919-9096. 📧 hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

About Ava Schenk, MSW