Making new friends is nearly always a goal of any parent sending a child on an overnight summer program. Yes, they want their child to try new things, develop independence, find inner resilience and grit, and improve on a skill, but they also want them to make new friends. For kids who struggle socially during the school year, the hope of making a new friend at camp or on a teen program is particularly important.
Friendships formed at camp come with no baggage, no strings attached. Kids are not saddled with whatever identity or social group they may have at home and can make a friend in the most organic way possible. And without the distractions of screens and social media, friendships develop in real life – what a concept! Friendships form at camp or on a teen program at a much faster pace than those formed at home. Communal living accelerates these bonds, whether it be in the cabin, in a tent on an adventure trip, or with a roommate on a teen tour or academic program.
These relationships endure and can be a source of comfort during difficult times of the year or when a kid just needs a break from their social group at home. I’ve loved watching my kids connect with their summer friends throughout the year. They immediately become the carefree, summer versions of themselves – they giggle, joke, drop all pretention, and cease caring about what they are wearing, the social pecking order, or if their posts received any “likes.” Having friends from other parts of the country and around the world broadens their perspective and breaks them out of their bubble, not to mention giving them lots of options for travel and visits.
The summer friend is yet another gift of an overnight camp, trip or academic experience – and one that keeps giving throughout the school year! Reach out to a Tips on Trips and Camps advisor – we can help match your child to the right overnight summer program and make a new friend too!
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Secondly, there is a level of comfort in a brother/sister camp that makes for a great benefit. Sometimes one sibling is more hesitant to venture off to camp, while the other is counting down the days. In this situation, it is comforting to know siblings have each other. If there is a bit of typical homesickness in the beginning, the directors can arrange for siblings to see each other. This situation was what my daughter experienced at camp during her second year. Even though she attended camp the previous summer, she was bit homesick at the beginning of her second summer. Luckily, my daughter was able to connect with her younger brother after dinners. This small moment of togetherness helped her quickly overcome her homesickness and instead became immersed in her side of camp. Furthermore, there is a deeper connection and bond that can occur between siblings when at a brother/sister camp. Although each child will inevitably have their own unique experience, they also will bond over shared specialty counselors and evening events. My son and daughter each came home rattling off their favorite meals, comparing favorite counselors, and competing over who swam the most laps for SCOPE, their camp charity event.
