Preparation for Summer Camp

Being away from home/family and adjusting to the camp experience is part of going to camp. There are many ways to help your sons prepare for camp. Please consider the suggestions listed below:

• View our Camper Q & A in the Campers section of our website to answer any questions you or your son may have about camp.
• Watch the Pre-Camp Checklist, and other videos accessible from the Videos section of our website. There is also a helpful video of Yates giving an informal tour of camp.
• Read the Parent Handbook carefully, accessible from the main Parents section page.
• Read books or watch videos about going to camp. We recommend visiting the American Camp Association bookstore for resources, as well as Dr. Chris Thurber’s website for additional tools.
• Watch for a new book from Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation about restoring “play-based childhood”. Available March 26th, 2024.
• Talk with other parents and friends whose children have gone to camp.
• Become familiar with camp schedules & procedures.
• Prepare your son for the Opening Day connection to camp. It should be a quick process to say your goodbyes at drop-off. Your son will be joined with other campers first thing and united with his counselors and cabin mates quickly.
• Prepare your son to care for himself – problem solve with your son; anticipate problems like, “What if… I lose something, or don’t feel well, etc.”
• Role play with your son about how to respond to camp situations.
• Inform the family about writing letters to your son while he’s at camp. Keep letters and emails upbeat and positive. Too many letters and emails can sometimes make campers think about home too much and cause homesickness. Keep this in mind.
• Be positive about your son’s upcoming experiences at camp - avoid statements like, “I know you will have a great time at camp, but I will miss you so much” or, “I know you are excited about going to camp, but will you miss me, or the family pet, etc.?”
• Let your son know there are many people he can speak with at camp if he has any concerns or anything to share about his experience here; his counselor, Line Head, Yates & Marisa, or any other director. Yates & Marisa have a box accessible only to them for notes from campers and staff wanting to share information, confidentially.

Want to learn more about what daily life at camp is like? You can read our blog, which we update with daily highlights and stories throughout the summer. Some other helpful off-season blog posts include the Mini Falling Creek Dictionary about “camp lingo”, choosing the right session length, what summer camp teaches you (from A to Z), how camp nurtures boys’ sense of adventure, and even some camp inspired recipes.