What to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of it.
Visiting day is one of the most anticipated days of the summer for kids and for parents. But if it’s your first and you've never been to one before, it can also be a little overwhelming.
Here's what to know before you go.
What Visiting Day Actually Looks Like
Most visiting days happen mid-session, usually on a Saturday. Families arrive during a set window, find their child's bunk, and spend several hours together on campus. Some camps do a full day while others keep it to a few hours. Your camp will let you know well in advance when that day will be and how it will be structured!
If You Haven’t Yet… Book Your Visiting Day Hotels ASAP
With the craze of visiting day, we tell all our families to look into booking their visiting day hotels the summer before – in the fall if possible. Most hotels tend to sell out quickly and pricing starts to sky rocket as visiting day dates are solidified.
What to Bring
Camps vary on this. Some encourage "care packages," others have specific rules about what can and can't be brought onto campus (food policies, especially, vary widely). Read the visiting day instructions carefully and follow them. Check if there are guidelines at your child’s camp when it comes to snacks – most goodies allowed are nut free.
Also, if you’re thinking about bringing your family pet – check that you’re allowed to. Most pets are forbidden from being on camp grounds.
What Your Child Might Look Like
Sun-kissed. Smiling. A little tired. Full of stories.
Many parents are surprised by how different their child seems – more confident, more independent, a little older somehow. Other parents are surprised that their child seems… fine. Genuinely, happily fine, and maybe not quite as desperate to see you as you expected.
Both are great outcomes. Embrace this!
If Your Child Is Struggling
If your child has been having a harder time, visiting day can be emotional. Be supportive and loving. Let them feel seen without pouring fuel on what might already be settling down. Talk to the camp's director or head counselor privately if you have real concerns.
The Bottom Line
Visiting day is a gift and a chance to see your child in their world, not yours.
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.
Get started.
