Summer camp brochures and ads always feature scenes of laughing kids play sports, swimming, and generally having fun. What’s never pictured is any hint of anxiety, a very natural response many children experience along with new adventures and weeks away from their family. All children experience some mixture of nerves and excitement as summer camp approaches. For most, the excitement overwhelms any anxiety. But for some children, the anxiety can get bad enough it impacts what should be a fun and formative time.
Summer camps exercise a number of skills that become useful–or even critically important–later in life: resilience, self-reliance, and social adaptability to name a few. The camp environment and experience helps kids develop social skills, allows for a heathy separation from parents, and teaches them independence. Which makes helping them overcome any budding anxiety so important.
13 Tools to Overcome Anxiety
The key to helping your children move beyond any pre-camp nervousness is to acknowledge their feeling and provide them with the tools to overcome them.
- Allow your child to have a feeling of ownership over the summer camp experience. Involve them in choosing the summer camp; let them get familiarized with the camp’s environment, and explore the camp’s activities. Let them form realistic expectations.
- Help them get excited about the camp. Take them shopping for new gear they may need, and help them focus on the fun things they have to look forward to.
- Avoid focusing on what makes your child nervous. Instead of asking questions like, “Are you nervous about being away?” ask more open-ended questions like, “What are you most looking forward to?”
- Don’t trivialize their anxieties or offer hollow reassurances. “There’s nothing to be worried about!” or “Everybody loves going to summer camp!” may enhance any anxiety they’re feeling. Instead, show empathy and acknowledge any concerns they have.
- Focus on specific details in conversations as the summer camp draws near. Avoid more abstract topics, like what it will be like being away, and instead focus on things like campfire rituals, meals, or cabin details.
- Reflect on your own childhood experience of going to camp and share positive stories with your kids. Show them that you are willing to talk about the new things they will be doing, whether it’s theme camp related, eating new food, sleeping in a cabin, getting along with new friends, or what have you.
- If the anxiety stems from going to a sleep away camp for the first time, try a “rehearsal.” A short-term sleepover or a night away at a relative’s house may make it easier when it comes tie to go to camp.
- Don’t linger at drop off time. Keep your goodbyes short, as delaying things can cause more mixed feelings.
- Keep lines of communication open, easy, and accessible. Outline a schedule for phone calls or emails if they are a part of the camp’s routine, and make sure your child knows how easy it is to contact you if they need to.
- Have goals for each conversation, so your children will come away from the call focused on how they are adjusting, instead of how much they want to come home.
- Do your best not to communicate your own anxieties. Children can pick up on their parents’ feelings even if they are verbalized. Instead, share your confidence in them and the positivity of their summer experience.
- Help your child create realistic, goal-based plans for making friends, or toasting the perfect marshmallow, or passing a themed test. The excitement of completing these plans can help give them a sense of success and distract them from any anxieties.
- If your child has any psychiatric or learning issues, don’t keep them a secret. Inform counselors and stall of anything they may need to know so they can head off problems before they arise and can maximize your child’s experience. Additionally, let your child know that the counselors and staff are there to support them, regardless if they have a simple question or a larger concern.
How Ready are You to Send Them to Summer Camp?
For parents who may be anxious to send their children to summer camp: remember that a good camp is made up of people committed to creating a positive environment and experience for your child.
Summer camp crates a special situation where your child gets to engage with a large community of their peers. They get to learn how to socially interact in a environment that is less structured than the school system they are used to. This is a chance for them to make decisions for themselves and develop a sense of self-reliance. Showing your support will give your child the room they need to take ownership of the experience, and get the most out of it.
But when should you worry that your child’s anxiety is problematic? You may be concerned if they start showing physical symptoms of fear, like cols or clammy hands, butterflies, faintness, headache, or nausea. Excessive crying and hiding are also big signs that something more is going on. Additionally, nightmares about separation or questions like “What if something bad happens to me or you while I’m away?” may indicated that it is time to consult a professional.
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Are you looking for a fun and educational summer experience for your child? Look no further! The Music Studio’s Kids Music Summer Camps offer a variety of exciting and engaging programs designed to inspire young musicians. With options ranging from singing and songwriting to rock band and music theatre, our camps provide the perfect opportunity for kids to explore their musical interests and develop their talents.