This is a question parents around the world ask themselves! Send them too young and they may not remember the experience when they are older. Send them when they’re too old and they will be bored or not have fun because they feel like they’ve outgrown the experience. The real answer is a little tricky. We wanted to write tips for parents who are wondering when is the best age for summer camps of any kind so that they can start planning in advance.
So what is the best age for camps?
When to start sending your child to sleep-away or summer camp depends on you, your parenting style, and the temperament of your child. Many kids have effective and enjoyable camp experiences as young as five years old.
But that doesn’t mean that parents send them to summer camps at that age. For some parents, the idea of their kid attending camp (we really mean being away from them) is unthinkable. “He’s/she’s not ready for camp” might also indicate “you’re not ready for camp.” It might be difficult as a parent to accept that your kid can function without you, and it’s a major step to allow them to participate in summer camp independently.
Here are our guidelines for different age groups so you can determine what the best age for summer camps for your kids can be.
5 years old or younger
This may be too young for kids to go to overnight camp by themselves. A family camp, day camp, or a summer camp where kids are of similar age groups and interests may be better.
6–8 years old
Focus on whether or not your kid says they are ready. We do not recommend pushing a reluctant kid into summer camp.
If they want to go, you should ask the following questions: Is your kid a relatively autonomous (not clingy) child who can do things on their own? Your kid is definitely ready for camp if they enjoy going to school and is fine at day camps and other activities without you continuously by their side.
You want summer camps to be a happy, unique, and memorable experience for your kid. If they are reluctant or don’t want to go, they most definitely won’t enjoy their time. It doesn’t matter if the instructor or teacher is super talented, their previous opinions going into the camp will shape how much they will enjoy their time.
9–10 years of age
Sign them up if they are excited about the idea.
If not, talk about other families whose kids attend camps to introduce them to the concept. Hearing how much other kids enjoy camp could persuade them to go. Attend information sessions about the camp if there are any.
If they continue to be apprehensive, you have two options:
A: The Difficult Option. Describe all of the advantages of the summer camp and how you believe it will be beneficial to them and an important step in their development. Tell them you think it’ll be a valuable experience for them and that you don’t want them to miss out.
This option necessitates the ability to stay firm and not give in to complaining. If your kid is particularly apprehensive, sign up but don’t talk about it too much or too far in advance.
B: The Simpler Option. Give your kid a one-year “pass” but stick to it.
Know that kids who are concerned about going to camp at the age of 9 or 10 are likely to be hesitant about going to college at the age of 13, and possibly at the age of 18 (source unknown). Parents must figure out how to work through the emotions, and a week or two at summer camp is a good place to begin. It’s actually better to start summer camps when you’re 9 or 10 years old and work through those unpleasant homesick feelings before puberty.
11 years old and up
Allow them to go if they want!
It’s unlikely that an older child will be the sole first-year camper his age. At that age, there will be fewer kids their age at camp, but campers are friendly, so don’t be concerned. There are many families that wait until their child is 12 or 13 years old to enroll them in anything, only to be disappointed when there are only a handful of summers where kids can enjoy summer camps.
If they’re still apprehensive, keep in mind that the older children who have never been away experience the most severe homesickness. Isn’t it better for your child to experience intense homesickness during a two- to three-week summer program than when they’re a freshman in college or university?
You have the power to place importance on autonomy early in life to help them acquire the skills they’ll need to succeed as young adults. Deciding the best age for summer camps for your kid as soon as possible can make a huge difference in how the next few summers for your kid can shape out.
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