Summer Camp FAQs

Just being at camp is good for kids! Studies have shown that high-quality summer camp experiences improve children’s empathy, self-esteem, optimism, independence, and decision-making skills. Their cabin counselors and group leaders play a big role in teaching those skills as campers learn to coexist with their bunkmates.

And of course, fresh air and nature are good for all of us. Time spent outdoors can improve your child’s immune system, cognitive function, mental health and sleep, not to mention giving kids the space and freedom to run around, be loud, and get dirty from time to time.

Imagine a summer free from status updates, “likes,” notifications, messages, and pings! Camp gives your child a break from social media and the constant connection of screen time: no texts, no chats, no endless scroll.

Instead, campers socialize screen-free, building communication and problem-solving skills they’ll take with them into high school and adulthood.

There is no better, safer place for kids to learn resilience than summer camp, especially sleepaway camp. Every camper will face a challenge at some point during the summer, whether it’s homesickness, a new athletic skill, a big role in drama, or keeping their cubbies organized. With lots of cheerleading from their friends and counselors, they’ll learn that they can overcome their fears and do hard things.

Just as important, they’ll learn that it’s okay to fail and learn from their mistakes in a safe, supportive environment, in a place where there’s always someone there to catch them if they fall.

It all depends on your child, your family, and what works for your needs and comfort level. The average age is nine years old, or finishing 3rd grade, although many families will begin the process of searching for a camp as early as kindergarten or 1st grade. Some children start younger, often when they have an older sibling already at the same camp. Other children don’t start until they’re older, and they have just as much fun as if they’d been there since they were younger!

There’s no perfect age; readiness looks different for every child. It’s not about being fearless or perfectly independent; it’s about curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to try new things away from home. Signs a child might be ready include an interest in camp, enjoyment of group activities, and a desire for more independence.

It’s never too late! We place first-time campers all the way through 9th grade. Just because a camp has an opening doesn’t mean it’s the right fit. We speak with directors to make sure:

• There’s space in your child’s age group
• They’ll be in a welcoming bunk with other first-time campers

We handle the details so your child starts their camp experience feeling comfortable.

We get it — the options are overwhelming! That’s why we put your child at the center of our process. Start by filling out this form so we can get to know you, and remember: The more details you can provide, the better. There is no such thing as being “too detailed” when it comes to your camper!

You can certainly pick out a summer camp on your own… but why would you, when our trusted overnight camp specialists are here to do the work for you? With our relationships and experience in the world of camping, we take all the guesswork out of your search. Best of all, our expert camp placement services are entirely free to families.

We start by getting to know you and your child, then putting together a custom-curated selection of summer camp recommendations tailored to your specific preferences. We’re by your side every step of the way to answer questions, offer assistance, and do anything we can to help make your decision as easy as possible! Learn more about our process.

We can recommend camps up and down the East Coast, from Canada to the Carolinas, and in the Midwest, and we are always expanding to new areas!

Zero. Nada. Zip. Our summer camp placement services are free. (Yes, really!) How do we do it? We recommend camps that we feel will be a great fit for your family, and our camps pay us a referral fee when you enroll.

To help us keep our services free, we kindly ask that families reach out to us before contacting additional camps directly.

Touring is an excellent way to get a sense of what a camp is like during the summer. Once you have your list of recommended camps, we encourage you to arrange visits/tours that work with your schedule and travel plans. Your Camp Specialist will offer advice on what to look for during your visits, how to plan your trip, and how to narrow down your choices.

Most camps offer weekend tours during the summer, often by appointment. The format varies a bit from camp to camp; some offer walking tours, while others show visitors around by golf cart. Some will take your family around all together, while others will offer separate experiences for parents and children. Expect that each tour will take between one and three hours (so you will most likely be able to fit two into a single day).

We recommend narrowing your list down to no more than three or four sleepaway camps to tour or visit — otherwise, the visits tend to get a bit overwhelming!

A rookie day or other “fantasy camp” experience is a great way to get a taste of camp life! We suggest that families take an even-handed approach to camp visits, including rookie events. It’s hard to compare two camps based on a family tour at one camp and a fantasy camp event (rookie day) at the other. Try to aim for comparable experiences at each camp before you make your decision so you know you’re comparing apples to apples.

We get it! Sometimes it just isn’t practical or possible to tour a camp prior to enrolling. Your Camp Specialist can help you set up Zoom calls, home visits, or other opportunities to connect with camp directors to help you make your decision.

Yes! We have the expertise to guide you to the camps that will be best at accommodating your child’s mealtime needs, from food allergies to religious practices to plain old picky eating. We work closely with our camps to understand how they staff their health centers, how they handle dietary restrictions and food allergies, and what precautions they take to ensure food safety. We can tell you which camps are nut-free vs. nut-aware, put you in touch with camp doctors and nutritional directors, and help you find a place where your child will be well-fed and well-nourished all summer long.

There are so many wonderful camps that specialize in creating a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ youth. Your Camp Specialist can help guide you to camps where your child will feel completely free to be themselves this summer.

Whether you want a Kosher camp, religious services, or simply a setting where your child’s beliefs are respected, there’s a camp for you. Our network includes camps that range from highly observant to completely secular, with every variation in between.

Absolutely! Many camps are equipped to serve children with diverse needs. We’ll start off by getting to know your child so we can recommend camps that will be able to provide just the right level of support to give them the summer they deserve.

Yes! There are so many incredible summer camps for teenagers, pre-college summer programs, and teen travel programs. Camp Specialists can help you plan your teen’s best summer ever.

Top sleepaway camps know that preparation is the ticket to camper success. The more prepared campers feel for what camp will be like, the more confident they will be heading into the summer. Once you’ve picked your camp, go over the daily schedule with your child. Show them the bedding, clothing, and equipment they’ll bring with them. Help them start developing a familiarity with their life at camp before they ever step on the bus.

As a first-time camp parent, communication is one of the most important factors to consider in your camp search. It’s important to feel that you can put your trust in the camp you’ve selected, and for you to feel that trust, camp needs to communicate with you about how your child is doing. Will someone call you when your child arrives at camp? When will they contact you with updates? When will your child call you? Who is your direct contact at camp, and how responsive should you expect them to be? How will you want your child’s camp to communicate with you, especially in the first few days? Your camp should make their communication policy clear before the summer starts; ensure that you understand and feel comfortable with their guidelines (and reach out to your Camp Specialist if you ever have any questions about what’s normal or expected!).

It’s not uncommon for kids to get homesick at camp. Often what actually upsets first-time campers is the realization that they’re having fun at the same time that they’re missing home. That can be hard to accept, and those tend to be the times when a camper who is thriving during the day suddenly experiences a bout of homesickness at night or at rest hour. Sometimes they’ll use that time to mail a letter home about how they’re having a miserable time… then they’ll get distracted by a fun activity and forget all about it!

Before camp starts, talk with your camper about what they can do when they feel homesick, like talk to a counselor, look at photos from home, or hug a favorite stuffed animal. One thing you should never, ever do, though, is make deals or promise to bring your child home if they’re unhappy. Those deals might make you both feel better at the moment, but first-year campers who have it in their minds that they can come home early are much less likely to give sleepaway camp a real chance — and more likely to miss out on a summer of fun. Instead, tell your child how much you trust the camp you’ve chosen and talk to them about all the people who’ll be there to help them. Ultimately, whether you project doubt or confidence about their summer, they’ll be inclined to follow your lead.

When you show your child that you believe they can succeed at camp, they’ll be more likely to completely let themselves go, truly enjoy camp, and develop the resilience and confidence that comes with a summer at overnight camp.

Visit summercampemployment.com to learn more about working at camp — the most fun you can have on the job!

It’s easy! Just fill out this form and a Camp Specialist will contact you to get the ball rolling.

Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions! Our professional overnight camp advisors would love to chat with you. Call us at 800-443-6428 or email us at info@campspecialists.com.