Kids and Parents Discover Success at Camp

BY NICK M. TEICH, PHD, LICSW

In August 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General released a health warning statement, along with a booklet entitled “Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents.“ Parents are under a lot of stress. The intensity with which many parents are scheduling, following, and hovering over their kids may not be helpful for the kids’ or parents’ health.

This is where summer camp comes in.

If you are a parent who tends toward feeling anxious, consider this: Camp gives “permission” for parents to let go and for kids to figure out life’s daily joys and struggles, themselves, within a safe and fun environment. At camp, kids learn independence, confidence, and to navigate the ups and downs of relationships with peers and adults. Parents may feel overwhelmed and anxious on any given day of the year, but you don’t want (or need) to feel this way all the time. Parents need to be able to trust that camps will help their kids grow in a nurturing environment. So, how can you, as a parent, do that?

I’m often surprised by how many parents assume information about camps before they have even spoken to a director. For example, for overnight camps, sometimes parents think that their child may be homesick, so that means it wouldn’t be a good idea to try overnight camp. That couldn’t be further from the truth!

Once you have a narrowed list of camps, make appointments to speak with each director. All of them can have phone or online conversations with you, so that you can get a better sense of the camp’s philosophy and whether it fits yours. What kind of feeling do you get by talking to each director?

Tell the director about your hopes and goals for your child, and then mention any concerns you might have. For camps that do not allow cellphones or devices during the program, the directors are well-versed in discussing the lack of phones or other instant communication with parents, and can ease your fears with a good explanation.

Ask about the communication policy — what are some examples of times when you will hear from the camp, and what are some examples of times when you won’t hear from the camp? If you want to check in on how your child is doing, what is the best way to do that without interrupting your child’s camp experience?

What is the photo policy of the camp? Have the director explain why they have a given policy on this, and decide if that will work for you. Once the expectations are set, it is easier to feel calmer.

Allowing your child to have independence is key to their success at camp, just as engaging in a trusting relationship with the camp director(s) is key for your success. You don’t want to be a ball of anxiety waiting by your phone for an email, text or push notification. Given that directors have dealt with many parents over the years, ask them their advice on how you can stay calm and lessen your anxiety. Let them help YOU as well as your child!®

Nick Teich, PhD, LICSW, is an executive coach and consultant for camp directors across North America, helping them make their camps the best possible places for their campers and staff. He is the founder and was the longtime director of Harbor Camps in New Hampshire.