Summer is inching closer and closer, which means camp is coming! Preparing for camp is about more than just packing bags and planning logistics—it’s an emotional journey, too. Whether your kids are naturally outgoing and buzzing with energy or on the shy side and feeling a bit unsure, getting them mentally prepared for camp can make all the difference. By helping your kids build excitement and confidence before camp, you’ll be setting them up for a fulfilling summer of joy, growth, and unforgettable memories.
For a guide on how to set the stage for a magical summer, check out these tried-and-true methods.
1. Create a camp countdown
Creating a “countdown to camp” calendar can build anticipation and transform the wait into part of the fun! Mark off each day (or week) together and take a few minutes to talk about what they're looking forward to most. As camp gets closer, you can also make the countdown more active by prepping for the experience. Go shopping for a new outfit or purchase one of those disposable cameras that Gen A finds “so vintage”—anything that’ll increase the enthusiasm and make the experience that much more memorable for your kids.
2. Set goals together
Setting personal goals before camp is a wonderful way to encourage your kids to get energized for camp, while empowering them with a growth mindset. When setting goals together, help your kids create specific, realistic, actionable goals. For example, instead of “be more outgoing,” make the goal more specific, like “make one new friend.” (As much as we see new friendships form at camp, making 100 new friends is likely not realistic.) Once the goal is set, help them create actionable steps to achieve it. Go over how to introduce themselves, share their pronouns if they want, and how to break the ice with silly questions like, “Would you rather have a time machine that only travels forward or only travels backward?”
If your kids want to get even more hands-on, you can tap into their creative side by crafting a decorative goal sheet to hang up as a reminder and progress tracker. Having goals set beforehand will make everything feel much more attainable when it’s time to head to camp.
3. Create expectations
It’s totally normal for your kids to feel anxious about new experiences and environments. Having open conversations about camp can help ease some of their anticipatory stress. During those talks, speak to them about what to expect—when you’ll be dropping them off and picking them up, what a typical day might look like, activities they might participate in, or how overnights in the dorms will be if your family has chosen that option.
If your kids like visuals, browse through our camp website together or check out our Instagram: @idtech! You could even create a “what I’m excited for” list with them to build anticipation. When your kids know what to expect, it reduces uncertainty, making a week of camp feel much more approachable and exciting!
4. Encourage independence
Independence is such an important life skill for kids to build. During the lead-up to camp, you can encourage your kids to practice independence in small, manageable ways. And, instead of getting a possible eye roll for implementing chores, make it fun!
Create a list of camp-related tasks that your kids can master on their own, like packing their backpack, setting their daily schedule, or making their lunch. Here’s the fun part: introduce a competition element like a “race against the clock” to pack their backpack in five minutes or less. Add a fun little prize to highlight their wins, like their favorite candy or an extra five minutes of screen time. Your kids will feel proud when they get it right, and it’ll build up that energy for camp!
5. Plan a pre-camp adventure
Get your kids fired up with a camp-themed warm up! Since they’ll be diving into topics like coding, game design, or robotics at camp, create some mini-tech challenges that mirror camp activities. Solve a puzzle together, tackle the newest Lego model, join them for a video game marathon, get them signed up for free online tools like Minecraft and Roblox, or take it one step further with some pre-camp private lessons!
These adventures are not only great for brain stimulation, but it will also create hype and provide your kids a chance to get hands-on with the tech they’ll be exploring at camp!