Your child is all set to embark on an exciting experience at summer camp. With the schedule set and the camp selected, now you need to prepare them for being out from under your watchful eye. But don’t stress. While there are plenty of things to consider, you can get ahead by preparing your child for the adventure to come.

Johns Hopkins experts Patrick Mularoni, M.D., medical director of the Pediatric Sports Medicine program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Kate Connor, M.D., M.S.P.H., medical director of the Rales Center for the Integration of Health and Education at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, tell you what you should consider when preparing your child for their camp experience.

1. Provide Important Health Information to the Camp

   Physical Exam

   Whether your child is away at camp for hours, days or weeks, they will be the responsibility of camp staff. That means the camp will need to know any vital information about your child’s health and physical condition. That often starts with providing their annual physical exam. 

   “A lot of summer camps require you to have your child’s annual physical turned in,” says Mularoni. “So, if you don’t have that copy, or if the camp you’re going to requires a different type of physical, reach out to your pediatrician and make sure that’s done.”

   Health Concerns

   Speak directly to a camp leader about specific health issues your child may have. Provide them with updated emergency contact information, including how to reach you, your child’s doctor or other relevant contacts. 

   If your child has a health condition that requires ongoing management or regular medication administration, the camp will likely require specific written orders from a health care professional. “This is particularly true for health conditions like asthma and food allergies that may require emergency intervention while at camp,” adds Connor. “Emergency plans — like asthma or allergy action plans — signed by your child’s health care provider are important to prevent or promptly treat flare-ups.” 

   Medications

   Make sure you have an adequate supply of prescription medications, with pharmacy labels intact, that will not expire during camp to send with your child. Many camps will have a nurse or other health professional to receive these forms and medications and to care for your child.  

    

2. Equip Your Child with a Summer Safety Kit

   Keeping your child protected from the rigors of summer will be key to their experience. While your child’s camp will have adult supervision, there will be a level of independence they experience away from home. Allow them to pack their own bag of summer safety items (with your supervision, of course), which should include:

   • The proper SPF sunscreen
   • Sunglasses, hat and other protective clothing
   • Insect repellant spray
   • Reusable water bottle for consistent hydration
   • First-aid kit, including adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes and anti-itch ointments

   Before you send them off, make sure they understand that it’s not enough just to have these items, but that they will need to proactively use some of them for their own good. “Remind them that they’re in charge of a lot of things,” says Mularoni. “Sunscreen and bug spray — they usually let the kids control that, so make sure your child is putting on sunscreen during the day and bug spray at night.”
   In the lead-up to camp, teach your kids to properly apply sunscreen and insect repellant — including timely reapplication — and supervise them as they practice doing it themselves.  

   Hydration is especially important at summer camps when temperatures are often high and kids are very active. “Reinforce regular hydration,” says Connor. “Make sure they know how to get help from an adult if they are experiencing headaches, fatigue, dizziness or other signs of dehydration.”

    

3. Teach Surrounding Awareness

   “For some kids, spending time around water, campfires, walking trails and other camp staples are new experiences,” says Connor. “It’s important to talk with them about how to stay safe in these new environments ahead of time.”

   Near Water

   Swimming may be a primary activity during summer camp. Though most camps with swimming activities will have their own swimming assessment test at the beginning, children attending camps that include swimming should have proper swimming lessons and water survival competency skills before taking part.

   “A lot of these camps will have pools or other bodies of water,” Mularoni reminds. “Never go into that water unless a lifeguard is there.”

   Near Campfires

   Similarly, remind your child that campfires should be viewed at a safe distance, usually outside of a designated safe zone created by camp staff. Children should not touch other items that have been in or near the fire such as sparks, marshmallows or sticks. Reinforce the “stop, drop and roll” technique for when clothing catches fire.

   Walking Trails

   Children should always remain with their camp leaders and group when walking on trails. Be sure that children know not to touch — and especially not to ingest — plant life that they are not familiar with. The same goes for animals and insects that may be found along the trail. 

    

4. Discuss Worries and Homesickness

   Worries and homesickness are normal feelings for children spending time away from home. Before your child goes away to camp, give them an idea of the fun activities that will occur. Understanding what to expect may help minimize worries and provide a greater sense of control.

   Sleep Schedule

   “One of the things parents should be doing is talking to the child about the schedule associated with camp,” says Mularoni. “They hear that they’re going to camp, but might not know enough about it. Take them to the website, show them pictures, then walk them through what their day would be like.”

   “Sleeping away from home, particularly for longer stretches, can spark separation anxiety and worries about homesickness for many kids,” adds Connor. “Ask kids how they are feeling about being away from home. Give them space to share and explore their feelings, reinforce that however they’re feeling is normal, and provide support.”
   Information about the sleeping routine and environment and how and when they’ll be able to communicate or visit with you may help kids feel prepared. 

   Homesickness

   Talking through what they might do if they experience homesickness or worries may also provide a greater sense of control. Packing familiar comfort items and teaching calming and help-seeking strategies are great ways to help prepare. Encourage them to identify camp experiences that they are looking forward to.

   With the right preparation, the summer camp experience can be one that kids look forward to each summer. They may discover new hobbies, sharpen existing skills and meet new friends. You can even help your children maintain friendships with camp friends who they may not see during the school year.