08/13/2025
🎒 From Campfire to Classroom: Helping Your Child Adjust After Camp
When kids come home from camp, we often see two reactions:
✨ The Confident Camper – bursting with independence, maturity, and new skills.
💙 The Campsick Camper – missing friends, routines, and already counting down to next summer.
Both are totally normal! But this time of year, there’s another big shift—going straight from summer fun into a new school year. That can make emotions even more intense.
💡 Tips for Parents:
1️⃣ Notice the growth – Celebrate new skills, hobbies, and confidence from camp.
2️⃣ Don’t take sadness personally – Missing camp is a sign they loved it.
3️⃣ Talk about camp stories – The fun, the challenges, and everything in between.
4️⃣ Keep friendships alive – Help them stay in touch with camp friends.
5️⃣ Give space – Let them process their camp experiences at their own pace.
6️⃣ Ease the rule shift – Camp rules and school rules are different—expect an adjustment period.
7️⃣ Prioritize rest – Sleep is essential for a smooth transition.
8️⃣ Help bridge to school – Acknowledge worries, create a new routine, and find fun ways to get excited about school (shopping for supplies, picking a “first day” outfit, planning after-school activities).
💡 Things Kids can do:
1️⃣ Let kids help choose backpacks, lunchboxes, and supplies
2️⃣Have a playdate with a friend from school
💡Things you can do together:
1️⃣ Create a camp memory book
2️⃣Talk about what your kids learned and how camp helped them grow
📌 Parent Tip: If your child’s mood or behavior seems “off” for more than a few weeks, it may be time to reach out for extra support. Our team is here to help.
💬 Is your child heading into school this year more confident or a little campsick? If you need any help, we have therapists who were former Camp Counselors who "get it" -- swipe left to see more!
