Camp Blog

Preparing Your Child for Their First Camp Experience: A Parent’s Guide

7th October 2026

For many young people, going to camp for the first time is a huge adventure. For parents, it can come with lots of questions. Will they settle in? Will they make friends? What if they feel homesick? Are they really ready to be away from home?

The good news is that a little preparation can make a big difference. Your child doesn’t need to arrive at camp completely confident or independent. They simply need to feel supported, prepared and excited to give it a go.

Start Talking About Camp Early

One of the best ways to prepare your child is to make camp familiar before they arrive. Look at photographs together, in the Camp Suisse summer brochure or ski brochure for example, talk about the activities, explore where they will be staying and encourage them to ask questions. If they are nervous, listen rather than immediately trying to reassure them that everything will be fine. Understanding what they are worried about gives you a chance to address those concerns together.

It is also worth talking about the fact that some things will feel new. They may not know anyone when they arrive, they will have a different routine and they may be trying activities they have never done before. That’s not something to worry about. It is part of what makes camp such a valuable experience.

Build Independence Before They Go

Camp gives children the opportunity to do more for themselves, from keeping track of their belongings to getting ready in the morning and making decisions about how they spend their time. You don’t need to turn the weeks before camp into an independence bootcamp, simply involve your child in the practical things. Let them help pack their bag, organise their toiletries and take responsibility for some everyday tasks at home. Small steps can make a big difference to how confident they feel when they arrive.

Talk Honestly About Being Away from Home

For first-time campers, being away from home can be the biggest challenge. It’s worth talking about homesickness before they leave, but without making it seem inevitable. Explain that it is completely normal to miss home and that, if they do, there will be people around them who can help. You can also talk about what they might do if they have a difficult moment: speak to a member of staff, spend time with a new friend or get involved in an activity.

Most importantly, give them confidence that they can handle it. You don’t need to promise that they won’t miss home. You can reassure them that, if they do, they will be able to work through it.

Focus on Trying, Not Getting Everything Right

Your child doesn’t need to be sporty, outgoing or adventurous before they arrive at camp.
In fact, some of the most rewarding camp experiences come from trying something that initially feels outside your comfort zone. Climbing for the first time, joining a new group, speaking another language or simply walking into a room full of people you don’t know can all be significant achievements.

Talk to your child about giving things a go rather than being the best. They don’t have to love every activity or make friends instantly. Camp is about discovering new things and finding out what they are capable of.

Prepare Them for a Different Kind of Holiday

Camp isn’t quite like a family holiday, and that’s part of the fun. Children have a busy routine, spend lots of time outdoors and are encouraged to get involved rather than simply choosing what they feel like doing each day. At Camp Suisse, depending on the season, that means days filled with adventure activities, sports, language learning, ski lessons, excursions and time with friends from around the world.

There is also less time on devices. Campers have a dedicated period each day to access their phones, but the rest of the time is about being present and involved in camp life.

Talking about these differences beforehand can help children arrive knowing what to expect.

Let Them Know about the Phone Policy at Camp

If your child has their own phone and will be bringing it to camp, it is worth talking about the phone policy before they arrive.
For many children, being without their phone for much of the day can feel strange at first. At Camp Suisse, campers have a dedicated one hour period each day when they can access their phones, but the rest of the day is about getting involved in camp life: being outdoors, trying new activities, spending time with friends and simply being present.

Rather than presenting this as a punishment or something they are having to give up, talk about it as part of the camp experience. There will be plenty going on to fill the time, from mountain adventures and sports to language lessons, excursions and evenings with their new friends.

It can also be helpful to set expectations before they leave. If your child is used to checking their phone regularly, they may initially notice its absence. Knowing in advance that they won’t have constant access can make the transition much easier.

If you’d like to explore our thinking behind this approach, read Why Kids Need More Wilderness and Less Wi-Fi. The aim isn’t to take technology away. It’s to give young people the chance to experience what happens when the real world takes centre stage.

Keep the Goodbye Positive

Arrival day can be emotional for both children and parents. Your child may be excited and nervous at the same time, and you may feel exactly the same. Try to keep your goodbye positive and confident. Remind them of what they were looking forward to, tell them you’re proud of them, and that they should be proud of themselves, and let them know you believe they can do it.

Sometimes the most reassuring thing a parent can say is simply: “You’re ready. Go and have an amazing time.”

The Beginning of Something Special

Your child’s first camp experience may come with a few nerves, but it can also be the beginning of something much bigger. They might come home having made friends from across the world, discovered a new passion or realised they are capable of much more than they thought. You don’t need to prepare your child for every possible situation. You just need to help them feel ready to take that first step.

FAQs

What age is best for a child’s first summer camp?

There is no perfect age. Children develop independence at different rates, so confidence and personality can be more important than age alone.

What if my child has never been away from home before?

That’s not necessarily a problem. Talking through what to expect and giving them small opportunities to practise independence can help them feel more prepared.

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is normal and doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying camp. Experienced camp staff are there to support children when they need reassurance or help settling in.

What should my child take to camp?

Follow your camp’s packing list and prioritise practical clothing, appropriate footwear and essentials for the activities. A small familiar item from home can also be comforting.