What's the right age to come to camp?
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It’s all about kids today
The most common question from new families this time of year:
“Is my kid ready for camp?”
Easy to say this is a question about age or timing.
But really, it’s a question about care.
Is camp the right fit? Is it the right time? Is this everything it’s cracked up to be?
Knowing that makes it way easier to answer honestly.
Is My Kid Ready for Camp?
Last summer, we had a first-year camper.
Parents knew camp, loved the idea of camp, wanted this experience for him.
He was excited but def really anxious.
Day one: wasn’t all that hungry for lunch at home. Dinner kind of the same. Honestly, wasn’t feeling it.
We sat and talked. Sometimes processing a big change means just a little quiet.
Turns out? Just a little nervous.
New place, new people, a ton happening at once.
I texted with his mom. Let her know what was really up, and sent some extra pictures.
Over the next few days, he started settling in. Started engaging. Started finding his people.
Then came Big Weekend Formation, this high-energy team event with routines and cheers.
He and I sat and talked it through. He wasn’t ready. I pushed a little tbh, but it wasn’t his time.
But by Color War?
Standing at the front of camp. Leading his team’s song and cheer. Confident, loud, fully in it.
The path wasn’t linear, but it pointed up throughout the summer.
Months later, got a text from mom.
He’d stood up to a kid at school who was being more than a little unkind. Just said, “Hey, it’s not cool when you do that.”
She credited that confidence to camp.
The kind of confidence you get from sticking through just a little discomfort (amidst a ton of fun) to start.
The point is this: readiness isn’t about being perfect on day one.
It’s about being willing to try. And having a place that supports your child while they figure it out.
That camper wasn’t “ready” by some checklist standard. But he was ready enough.
Questions Worth Asking
So, when is a child actually ready?
There’s no universal age. Some kids are ready at 7. Some at 10. Some at 13.
But here are the questions I ask parents when we’re trying to figure it out together.
Are they excited about the idea of camp?
Maybe not every detail, but the general concept. Ask them. If they light up when camp gets mentioned? Great sign. And if you want, I can come visit and talk with them directly.
Honestly, visiting families is my favorite part of this job (besides the actual camp).
How do they do away from you for a day?
What’s school like? Day camp? Are they connecting with friends there? Able to participate? Happy at the end of the day?
If they come home with fun stories, have a couple of friends, and their teachers have no problem sharing successes, then those are great readiness metrics.
How are they doing with personal care?
Sounds silly, but can they take a shower by themselves? No baths at camp.
What’s teeth brushing like when prompted? Is it hard to get them to change their clothes?
Our counselors prompt them for all these things, and kids grow at camp. But they need some baseline skills to start.
What does losing look like for them?
Winning is great. I love winning. But losing is part of camp. If every loss is a total meltdown, maybe they need another year.
Camp teaches kids how to handle winning and losing, but there should be a foundation to build from.
How willing are they to try new things?
This one’s harder to answer on your own, which is why it’s worth having me come visit.
At camp we do tons of new stuff every day. Are they generally willing to go for it? Play a new game? Take a small risk?
They don’t need to be a daredevil. We have tons of staff here to support them. But they need some willingness to give things a try. I promise it will grow at camp.
When the Answer Isn’t Clear
If you’re not sure about any of this, I love talking about everything camp.
And look, camp is different for every kid at every age.
Sometimes it’s an “absolutely.”
Sometimes the answer is “not yet.”
Sometimes it’s “let’s figure this out together.”
Plus, every family has my cell phone, and like the mom above, I’ll text you. Or you wake up with a bad dream? Text me, 24/7.
Sometimes camp is the answer. Sometimes it’s not.
But the only way to know is to have an actual conversation about your specific child.
Most kids don’t love camp because they were “ready” by some objective standard.
They love it because they (and their parents) were ready enough to try.
Summer Matters.
Jack
P.S. Would love to talk about summer at K&E for your child
Schedule a time to talk about everything camp with me.
Get my newsletter every week.
It’s all about kids today
Jack Schott
Summer Camp Evangelist