Should identical twins share a cabin at sleepaway camp?

Almost never. Put them in the same age group and different cabins. They see each other all day at meals and activities, and each one gets their own friends.

What if my twins want to bunk together?

Listen, and talk to the camp. A first-time camper who is scared may do better knowing the twin is close. Different cabins in the same age group usually gives them that.

Will counselors mix up my identical twins?

For about a day. Counselors learn kids fast. Separate cabins help, because each counselor only has one of them.

Should Identical Twins Share a Cabin at Camp?

When families with twins sign up, I say the same thing almost every time.

Easy to put them in the same age group, different bunks.

That's the whole answer for most twins. It matters even more for identical twins.

The Short Answer

Same age group. Different cabins.

They'll see each other at breakfast, at the lake, at evening activity and at every big event. They just go to bed with their own crew.

Why Identical Twins Need It Most

Identical twins get called by the wrong name their whole lives. Teachers mix them up. Coaches mix them up. Grandma mixes them up.

Michelle Dickstein is a mom of identical twins in Ohio. She sent one daughter to sleepaway camp and kept the other home on purpose. Her words: "Establishing your own personhood as an identical twin is very different." (Northeast Ohio Parent)

You don't have to split them across camps. A different cabin does most of the work. In her own cabin, your kid isn't "the twins." She's just her.

What If They Want to Bunk Together?

Listen to them. Then ask why.

They're nervous about a first summer: Same age group means the other twin is right there all day. That's usually enough.
One wants together, one wants space: Give the space to the one who wants it. The other one will be fine, and usually better than fine by week two.
They do everything together and love it: Still try different cabins. Being together all day and apart at night is a pretty great deal.

Here's what I watch for on bunk requests. If twins don't list each other, they're telling you something. They want their own thing. Let them have it.

What Counselors Do

Tell the camp your twins are identical before day one. A good camp will make sure each counselor knows which twin is theirs.

And yes, there will be one day of mix-ups. Kids think it's hilarious.

About My Camp

I own Camps Kenwood & Evergreen, a brother-sister sleepaway camp in New Hampshire. Twins at our camp are in the same age group and different bunks. Each twin has their own counselors and their own check-in call. In the first week, you get one update that covers both kids by name.

See how twins do at Camps Kenwood & Evergreen

You got this,

Jack

P.S. Not sure your twins are ready to be apart at night? Text me at 585-451-5141.