Summer Sleepaway Camps Start Planning Now

Summer 2018 was the first time all three kiddos (ages 9, 11, and 13) went to sleepaway camp to two separate week-long camps.  Maybe you’re like me and you’ve heard people rave about a week sans kids or want your kids to have a screen-free week (!) or have that quintessential camp experience or want your kids to develop more self-sufficiency skills (“mom where are my gym shoes?”, etc.) and are curious about summer camp.      If any of these apply to you, keep reading for our Summer Sleepaway Camp Top 5 Tips and Tricks from a parent’s perspective AND a camper.

Summer Sleepaway Camp Top 5 Tips and Tricks for Parents 

WHEN to plan

Start planning NOW, seriously.  Yes, I know it’s fall but I signed my kids up for camp on Halloween 2017 and only three of the nine weeks had availability.  In September, I signed my kids up for 2019 summer camp (and my two girls were on the waitlist).    You will need to plan your summer schedule in advance (family vacations, summer school, sport/art camps, etc.).  Last summer, I chose week 9 (in August) hoping the lake would be warm and other summer activities (swim team, camps) would be over so looking to fill the last few weeks.     Opted for week 2 (mid-June) for this summer as a fun start to the summer (the first week to decompress from the end of the school year).  TIP (!) – some camps offer an early bird rate (often $30 less) if you book by a certain date.

WHERE to go

This will likely depend on where you live.  First, recommend that you ask around in your community, possibly to parents with older kids.  Second, check out the excellent and extensive YMCA summer camps options.  My kiddos went to YMCA Camp Tecumseh that so many people raved about (and it exceeded our high expectations).  Third, look into any local universities that may be offering summer sleep-away camps.  The kids’ first sleep-away camp was to Loras All Sports Camp about 3+ hours away in Dubuque, Iowa.

WHAT to pack

I researched and had tips from veteran parents, but still was not adequately prepared.  Sharing what I wished  I had known.  First and foremost, read the camps’ packing list. Second, bookmark this list

• Rolling cart with drawers: pack ahead of time (suggest rolling the clothes).  This is easy for kids to pack up, keep their stuff organized, and tucks in nicely by their bunk.
• Junky clothes:  Be ready for STINKY laundry to come home and send clothes (t-shirts, athletic shorts, sweatshirts that are comfy and ok if they don’t make it home).  The same goes for gym shoes — save the new shoes for back to school because they may be caked in mud from hikes.
• Snacks:  I was the mean mom who packed relatively healthy snacks (goldfish crackers, apples, 1 box of candy) but no joke there were 12 cans of Pringles in my son’s bunk. They like to share so pack fun snacks, they’re so active that a few extra treats are ok.
• Fans:  There likely isn’t a/c, so suggest a clip on fan for their bed.
• Books + games:  My kids each took a book to read at night, but a lot of other kids had decks of cards (yay, no screens!)
• Self-addressed + stamped envelopes so they can easily send letters home.

WHY send kids to camp

It wasn’t easy to send our kids to sleep away camp, but our two primary reasons were a fun, active, screen-free week for our kids for two working parents AND an opportunity for our kids to build on their self-sufficiency skills, make new friends and try new food while having a blast.

Some of the activities our kids did that they wouldn’t have been able to at home include playing football on a college field, sleeping outside under the stars, morning chapel, swimming the full length of a lake, bungee trampoline in the river and MUCH more.

HOW will I survive 

I spent the first week scanning the camp’s Facebook page for any glimpse of my kids, their cousins and friends and admittedly really missed them.  We were better prepared for the 2nd camp and really enjoyed a week sans kids.  We had date nights after work, played tennis in the evening, planned a girls night out with my cousins.

The week will go by fast so recommend that you plan your time wisely.  Catch up with old friends, date night(s),  tackle house projects, schedule beauty appointments, or just veg night at home.  Soon enough it will be time to pick them up, listen to everything about their weeks and tackle the mounds of stinky laundry.

Summer Sleepaway Camp Top 5 Tips and Tricks for Kids

Go with A friend at least the first camp 

Its a lot less awkward if you’re not by yourself because you may need a partner for a lot of activities (swim buddies) or have a friend to share snacks and clothes with.  But by the second time you get the feel of the camp and being away from home. 

Make New Friends

Be open to meeting new people.  I  had a blast with my cabin mates and we exchanged Instagram and snap chat accounts and we still keep in touch.   

Try New Things

Be willing to try new things.  I tried stand up paddle boarding which I had failed epically.  Stand up paddle boarding was actually my 7th choice (out of 8), but had so much fun.    My brother played ultimate frisbee and archery both which he had never done before.  My sister learned to make really cool gymp bracelets.

Bring Shower Shoes

Bring shower shoes and wear them!  My friend did not and has a wart.

Care Packages

Instead of asking your parents to mail you care packages, ask them to give to a camp manager on the day of drop off. The camp manager will give it to you on the desired day. It’s way cheaper and you still bet joy of getting of getting something from your parents.   This is a good idea because shipping is insanely expensive and sometimes so slow that the package may not even get there on time.