SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Overcoming Camp Anxiety for an Unforgettable Summer

Help your child embrace the adventure with these essential strategies to conquer pre-camp nerves and create lasting memories.

By Paige Sprague

Summer camp offers a wealth of learning and growth opportunities, but anxiety can sometimes prevent children from fully engaging in this experience. To help your child conquer their anxiety and make the most of their summer camp adventure, here are 10 essential tips:

1. Encourage participation in camp selection by allowing your child to help choose the camp they'll attend and familiarize them with the location and activities. This will help them feel more in control of their experience.

2. Generate excitement by shopping for new gear together and discussing the enjoyable aspects of camp life they can anticipate.

3. Steer clear of anxiety-triggering questions. Opt for open-ended queries like, "How are you feeling about the camp activities?"

4. Show empathy and understanding for their concerns, rather than trivializing their fears.

5. Focus on specifics like cabin arrangements, mealtime routines, or campfire rituals to help your child visualize their upcoming adventure.

6. Share your positive experiences away from home and encourage your child to openly discuss their feelings about camp.

7. Organize short sleepovers or visits to relatives' homes to help your child practice being away from home.

8. Keep farewells brief and positive to avoid exacerbating mixed feelings.

9. Facilitate communication by providing pre-addressed envelopes, stamps, and a schedule for calls or emails.

10. Help your child set realistic goals, such as making new friends or passing a swimming test, to build their confidence and shift their focus away from anxiety.

Remember, summer camp presents an opportunity for your child to develop crucial life skills, including resilience, selfreliance, and social adaptability. Trust in the dedicated team of professionals and counselors who will guide and support your child throughout their summer camp journey.

The summer camp environment encourages children to make their own decisions and develop a sense of independence. By empowering your child to take ownership of their experience and offering your support, you'll help them overcome their anxiety and create lasting memories.

If your child's anxiety becomes severe and starts to interfere with their daily life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. However, with the right approach and support, most children can overcome their pre-camp nerves and thoroughly enjoy their summer camp adventure.

CAMP NOT-A-WHEEZE

In a traditional camp setting asthma education is integrated with recreational camp activities. This empowers children to understand and avoid their asthma triggers, recognize warning signals of an oncoming episode, properly use their medications, and exercise control over their disease. Serving 7- to 14-year-old children with moderate to severe asthma, camp activities include horseback riding, adventure course, lake day, music, arts, crafts, exploring the outdoors, and more! Historically, a majority of these campers would not be accepted into other camps due to the constant monitoring and medication requirements that are typically integral to asthma management. Medical volunteers can be found throughout camp (in cabins with kids, accompanying kids to activities, teaching asthma education, and staffing the infirmary). These volunteers MUST be licensed medical professionals in order to attend. The camp's skilled medical direction and physician team are from Phoenix Children’s Hospital & Banner Health (Cardon Children’s Medical Center) and serve in the infirmary as the camp physicians.

TYPE & AGES: Sleepaway, ages 7-14

WHERE: Heber

CONTACT: 602-336-6575, campnotawheeze.org

Warrior Steam Camp

With a blend of adventure, experiential learning and fun, Gateway’s Warrior STEAM Camp provides a supportive and challenging experience for incoming sixth to 12th-grade kids, who may have struggled in more traditional camp settings. The four-week camp is divided into one-week sessions, which are sequenced to build on each other. Gateway is an incredibly supportive and comfortable community where students build transformative relationships. These relationships are at the core of the camp, helping students develop a courageous sense of self. During the Warrior Camp, those core relationships are cemented by the joy of shared experiences, which will enable students to tackle challenges and learn and grow, no matter where life takes them!

TYPE & AGES: Day camp, ages 12-19

WHERE: 3939 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix

CONTACT: 480-998-1071, gatewayacademy.us

Phoenix Conservatory Of Music

Summer camps provide stimulating learning while allowing students to make music and have fun. Phoenix Conservatory of Music summer camps provide group instruction in a weekly setting for various musical genres, such as Camp Rock

4 Kidz, Piano Pals, Guitar Pals, Music in the Movies, Bravo for Broadway, Songwriting, Audio Production, Beats by Girlz, Music

Around the World, and more!

TYPE & AGES: Day camp, ages 3-10

WHERE: 1316 E. Cheery Lynn Rd., Phoenix CONTACT: 602-353-9900, pcmrocks.org/ summer-programs/summer-camps

Engineering For Kids

Discover the extraordinary world of STEM during Engineering for Kids’ Summer of Exploration! EFK Summer Camps provide kids with a handson immersive experience as they explore STEM concepts in the world around them. Their professional and engaging camps will guide your child in learning about STEM concepts, while encouraging fun. Activities foster their creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. Featured camps include robotics, technology and coding, Minecraft, and hands-on interactive engineering.

TYPE & AGES: Day camp, 7–14

WHERE: Locations throughout Phoenix

CONTACT: 480-779-8184, engineeringforkids.com/phoenix-metro

Summer Adventures At The Youth Center

The Summer Adventures program is provided by one•n•ten, at no cost, for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 11 to 13 years old. They provide a safe, inclusive space that focuses on self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices. Camp runs Monday through Friday from June 12 to June 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

TYPE & AGES: Day camp, 11-13

WHERE: Downtown Phoenix CONTACT: 602-279-0894, onenten.org

Mingus Mountain Camp And Retreat Center

These high-energy summer camp sessions are filled with fun activities, faith-building experiences, and creating lifelong friendships. Campers will participate in daily traditional camp activities such as gaga ball, archery, hiking, board games, and loads of smores! A week at Mingus Mountain Camp will provide an experience that campers will remember for years to come. Campers are sure to fill your vehicle with silly camp songs, great stories, and many laughs on the way home!

TYPE & AGES: Sleepaway, ages 6-18

WHERE: Prescott CONTACT: 928-649-5949, mingusmountaincamp.org

FIT-N-FUN

FIT-N-FUN camps promote health and fitness while having a blast. Each week, children ages 3 to 12 will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, relay races, inflatables and much, much more! The Xtreme Gymnastics staff is high energy, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, with complete background checks. Their facility is state of the art and fully air conditioned.

TYPE & AGES: Day camp, ages 3-12

WHERE: 14000 N. Hayden Rd. #102 Scottsdale CONTACT: 480-596-3543, xtremegymnastics.com