Preparing for Camp with School in Mind
If my kid is struggling in school, will they struggle at camp?
Tulips are in bloom, cherry blossoms are peaking, and your parental focus is likely starting to shift from the school year to the summer ahead. Though your child is still enmeshed in standardized tests, social studies projects, and preparations for end of year celebrations, for many families Spring also marks the final push towards that camp goal line. Camp is increasingly valued as a unique opportunity to return to “kiddom” – to unplug, reset, be outside, and overall de-stress from the school year. Whether your child lives the fabled “ten months for two,” or is just embarking on their camp journey, it is tempting to embrace camp as a catchall solution to school year woes. While camp can and should be an empowering opportunity for kids to reconnect with their “best selves” (another camp maxim...), achieving that requires intentional preparation.
Remember, your kid is still the same kid, even in a different environment. And so, will struggles from the school year carry over into camp? The answer is, maybe, but they don’t have to. Here are some tips for setting your child up for success this upcoming summer.
Gather information to identify potential causes of struggles
Whether flags are raised from your child’s teacher, or you have a kid that is complaining at home, dig deep, and ask for help in identifying potential causes of the challenge at hand. Are issues related to social dynamics? Academic confidence? Sheer workload? Executive functioning? Boredom at school?
Talk to your child’s teachers, therapist if they have one, or anyone who may be able to provide insights. And, of course, talk to your child! The goal is to have a strong sense of when and where problems are occurring, not just how they are manifesting, so you can unpack potential triggers. Not all struggles have concrete root causes (in fact, most don’t), but a better understanding of the range of contexts and behaviors will help frame the problem in the camp world.
Apply the struggles to the camp setting
It’s easy to write off “school problems” as just that, but there is more overlap between camp life and school life than meets the eye. Like school, days at camp can be structured and busy with routines, transitions, and things you have to (but may not want to) do. Like school, camp involves constant social interactions and the navigating of relationships with a wide range of peers whom you didn’t “choose” to be sharing space with.
Ask yourself, how might school challenges manifest themselves in the camp environment? Some school to camp parallels are evident. Students that act out when losing (whether it be during a math game or P.E. kickball), will likely carry that with them into daily camp competitions. Difficulties during group projects or recess, could signal a need for additional support in navigating unstructured, peer-led, social settings. Other classroom challenges require a little more parental detective work. Consider those potential underlying factors at play: time-management, persistence through challenging tasks, stamina, etc. For example, the student who regularly leaves their homework folder at home, is likely the camper that leaves their water bottle at the dining hall. Of course, an occasional misplaced item is not a major source of stress or tension at camp. However, camp is jam-packed with tough transitions that involve keeping track of belongings from activity to activity, so if your child consistently struggles in similar contexts, that is a behavior worth exploring.
Share with camp (ask about the “Camper Care Team”)
Even if the school problems don’t seem directly applicable to the camp setting, share your concerns. If your camp has a camper intake sheet, “confidential,” or other similar form… treat this document as a helpful tool! Be simple and direct in writing (keep in mind this is often information reviewed by bunk counselors, and not just senior leadership).
Contact camp and ask how camper concerns or challenges are addressed and managed. There may be specific systems and structures in place. For example, it is becoming increasingly popular for camps to have some form of a Camper Care Team, which often includes a mental health specialist, to support and coordinate the overall wellbeing and success of campers. If there are specific ways you want your child to be supported (extra transition time, help with socializing during unstructured time, etc.) make sure to have a sense of who is implementing and overseeing these supports on the ground, and how/when deeper concerns would be shared with you.
Practice routines at home
Regardless of your child’s specific challenges at school, practicing ways of camp-life at home is key to ensuring success over the summer. Whether it is your child’s first summer or eighth, camp is outside many comfort zones, and requires a great deal of stamina. Feeling comfortable and confident with daily routines frees up brain power and emotional space for kids to demonstrate flexibility and resilience in trickier moments. Some key camp-life routines worth practicing could be starting a tech-free routine before bed, greater independence dressing/undressing and with personal hygiene, keeping track of belongings, serving themselves food, etc.
Instill Confidence
Just as every student has the ability to thrive in the right school environment, every camper has the potential to uncover the power of that “ten-for-two” mantra. Remind your child that an incredible experience filled with growth awaits them, and that staff at camp are there to help them succeed. A certain amount of camp nerves is healthy, so if your child is expressing concerns, reassure them that this is normal! On the other hand, if your child isn’t overly worried about the summer ahead, there is no need to create worry. If they’re coming off a tough school year, it is okay to remind them that camp is not school and to embrace the change in environment and routine. Focus on the known positive aspects of the summer ahead: favorite activities, new friends, spirited traditions. Above all, your child’s confidence starts with yours, so stay positive and reassuring.
Still have questions? Want to talk through the camp transition for your child? BetterEd is here to help. You know your child, we know education. Sign up for a consultation below or contact us for more information.