A guide for parents – and a reminder that this is all completely normal.
The trunk is packed. Drop-off is done. And now you're home, phone in hand, waiting to hear something – anything – about how it's going.
Welcome to the first week of camp.
For your child, the first week is a whirlwind. New people, new routines, a new bunk, a new schedule. Some kids hit the ground running. Others take a few days to find their footing. Both are completely normal as one week in the life of a camper feels like one month in the real world and most kids settle quickly.
What you might read in letters…
- "I want to come home." This is common in the first few days, and almost always resolves by the end of week one.
- "I don't like my bunkmates." First impressions at camp shift faster than anywhere else. Give it a few days.
- You might also hear nothing at all, which is also normal. Some kids are so busy they barely write.
What camps do to help: Camps know the first week is an adjustment and they're prepared for it. Counselors are trained to watch for kids who are struggling, build connections quickly, and keep everyone moving and engaged. The schedule is not accidental. It's designed to get kids into the rhythm of camp life as fast as possible.
What you can do:
- Send warm, cheerful letters or emails. Keep them positive.
- Resist the urge to call and check in obsessively. Camps will reach out if there's a real concern.
- Trust the process. You chose this camp for good reasons.
The Bottom Line
The first week is almost always the hardest – both for kids and for parents. And it almost always passes. What's on the other side of it is exactly what you hoped for. So stay patient, it’s all unfolding just how it’s meant to.
Camp Specialists has been connecting families to their perfect camps since 1992 – always free of charge.
Stay tuned for more, and send us your questions on Instagram – we’re just getting started.
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