Do you think seven is too young for summer camp?
by admin on Thursday, September 29th, 2011 | 17 Comments
My 10 and 11 year old went to a summer camp (Camp Onyasha) in Western New York where they stayed two weeks last year. They absolutely loved it so they are going for another two weeks this year. My 7 year old son was also very interested so we signed him up for one week of camp to try it out. My husband thinks it’s great, but I am just worried. Do you think 7 is too young to be away from home for a week? Should I reconsider sending him?
nope. its good .
I would not send a 7 year old to an overnight camp. They are still very young and should have supervision from their parents.
I think 10 is a better age….
I think it’s too long. I would suggest an overnight trip, but not a whole week pick.
I wouldn’t let my 8 year old go for a week and he is rather mature for his age.
meh, i dont personally see anything wrong with a week, as long as he can handle being away from home that long.
It depends…..1. Is your son used to spending the night at friends/relatives house without calling have you pick him up early?
2. Is your other children going to the same camp?
If so I think it would be good. Ecspecially if he will be around his siblings some then he would have someone familiar with him.
However, if he has never even been away from home or cries everytime he tries to spend the night with someone you may want to sit him down and explain that camp means he will be gone a whole week before your able to get him.
Also, maybe speak to the counselors at the camp and see if they allow phone calls during the day if he starts getting home sick and explain to them that is siblings are at the same camp that they may be able to comfort him if for some reason he gets upset.
It would be a great second honeymoon for you and your husband!!!
At the very worst you will have to make a impromptu trip to get him but at least you tried!
good luck
(PS….make sure to really pump him up about going to camp….going shopping for a cool sleeping bag together, talking about camp activities, etc. Then make him a little goodie bag to take with him of his favorite snacks, maybe a small photo of your family, and a favorite toy-if allowed)
It depends.. regular camp is perfect for seven year olds. Is the camp far away? If so I wouldn’t send him. Does your 7 year old cling to you or does he really want to go? If he is clingy and shy then No, dont send him. If he wants to go badly and he goes to friends houses all the time and he doesnt have problems being without you then he should go! If he can sleep in his own bed without being scared you can send him, if not then dont. It all depends about him, and if he has seperating problems or if he is capable of being alone. Personally, I think its to young. They have to get dressed,eat and sleep by themselves not to mention deal with bullies. But it would be a good learning experience. I’m 11 and I don’t like sleep away camp! He would have his older siblings there but still he might want his mommy. If he decides to go, then maybe you should give him a cellphone and some comfort items. Talk to the counselors about how some seven year olds act at the camp. Is he used to waking up early and being alone? Just remember, if he doesn’t want to go then don’t make him, if he really does just allow it and if he wants to come home pick him up. I hope you decide whats right for him!
Just remember, seperating can be hard!
If your 7 year old shows interest in going to camp, that probably means that he is ready to go. You are only sending him for a week so he will be fine. To make you feel better about him being ready to go to camp maybe send him to Grandma’s for the weekend or to a friend’s house just to see how he does. You can also practice skills with him that he will need at camp. Take him to the pool and do a pretend swim test so he is ready for that when he gets to camp (a swim test is usually back and forth the short way of the pool and then treading water for 30 seconds). Practice using a flashlight, turn off all of the lights in your house after dinner one night, give everyone a flashlight and if they need to do something then they have to do it with there flashlight. Have the boys all sleep out out in a tent in the backyard in sleeping bags.
Also, camp counselors of 7 year olds are very good at working with 7 year olds. The activities will be in ablity range. Last summer I worked with 6 and 7 year olds at a Girl Scout Camp (it was a week session) and some fo the kids got homesick but it was nothing that we couldn’t handle with. When you drop him off, you can tell his counselor what you are worried. Kids at camp tend to have so much fun that they forget about missing home.
Also some of the other tips you got, they aren’t that wonderful. Don’t send you kid with food unless the camp tells you that you can send you kid with food (probably not). Don’t send your kid with a cell phone, it probably won’t even work at camp. Also some camps have no call policy for a reason, calling home tends to make kids more homesick. Write him a nice letter but also don’t over do it with the letters because too much mail could be as bad as no mail.
Google: Great News about Homesickness by Christopher A. Thurber
I’m sure he will do fine,
Hope that helps!
For a one week session, I would say go for it. On the chance that he won’t enjoy himself, it’s not the end of the world, and it’s a good experience to have had. Unless he’s exhibited that he’s a particularly clingy child, there’s no reason to expect that he’ll get terribly homesick (of course, some degree of homesickness is normal).
I found a summer camp 3 years ago for my guys to attend near us that I started sending my guys to, my youngest was 8 at the time. He had a blast and since he was w/his brothers I felt pretty alright about it (they were 10 and 11).
Honestly he will probably get very homesick about the 2nd night and want to go home. I wouldn’t send my son even now at 8 1/2 to a summer camp for a week straight. I would wait until at least 10.
I think it depends on your child. My kids started going to sleep away camp for 3 nights/4 days when they were 5. By the time they were 8 they were going for 2 weeks. They all really love it and look forward to going each year. However, the fact that they are there with their siblings probably makes a big difference in homesickness. Also, my kids have always been very independent types who are good about taking care of themselves and their belongings. If your 7 year old wants to go and you know and like the camp I would say you should go for it!
It’s sort of hard for me to stay away from home and my parents for more than a few hours. I get homesick
No, not at all. It’s better to get them started young.
I think he would like that. I was at a 6 week camp at the age of 9 and I loved it. Although I was a bit homesick and they were a rather overprotective there and a bit patronising, like telling us what to wear and stuff. We were a large group of 8-12 year old girls and even the 8-year olds loved it. I met loads of new friends there.
My mom was worried too, but she had no choice but to send me there that summer, because she had to go to hospital due to her diabetes and no one was there to look after me. I didn’t exactly beg to go, but in the end, there were so many activities, like theatre plays and volleyball that it didn’t seem that long at all.
Theres nothing wrong with sending him for a week,
You just have to make sure that,
He will not get to homesick.
And if you know he wont, then
Let him go he’ll have fun.
Hope I Could Help.
.
Justin.
There are camps desgined specifically for that age. A lot of camps are designed for different age groups. Camps that for younger kids will pay more attention to their saftey. The theme suits too.
Avoid small camps or young camps. Try to find long-established camps which have experienced staff.
I’d suggest choicecamps.com. Here’s the link: http://www.choicecamps.com
They provide free expert camp advice. Every program they have have been reviewed by their staff. So it’s difinitely safe. Call them or go to their site, search by age. Maybe you should talk directly to their experts.
Happy camping!
many parents get nervous
Him expressing a n interest is a good sign
How does he do with sleepovers?
its how ready he is..not his age
Good luck