Sending My Son to Overnight Camp—What I Learned

If your child is going to overnight camp for the first time, here are ten lessons from a mom who has been through it.

Some kids beg to go to overnight camp. Others are gently encouraged by their parents, who reminisce about the best summers of their own childhood. There are drama camps and sports camps—dance camps and music camps. Some overnight camps are religious, while others cater to kids with food allergies. Every child has a camp that’s a good fit, and finding the right one means your child will be part of a community.

If your child is about to go to overnight camp for the first time, here are ten tips from a mom who has done it:

1. A Special Bond with Your First Child

When we drove down the hill toward the camp exit, I suddenly realized that I was leaving my child in a strange environment, with strangers to take care of him. A wave of fear washed over me. The feeling was similar to the one I had when I dropped him off for his first day of preschool years ago.

Every milestone with my first child has been a bit of a gamble. We’ve been figuring it out as we go, never really knowing what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s good, or what’s bad. With my second child, the mistakes we made before have become lessons that help us navigate milestones more easily. As a mother, I cherish that special bond I share with my first child—we make an awesome team.

2. Our Worries Are Universal

After we dropped off our kids, the summer camp moms started texting each other. It didn’t take long for us to realize that our worries as mothers were shared. For example, we knew that your child might not like vegetables, but they finally tried Brussels sprouts last week—now, at camp, they can avoid all the greens and eat nothing but desserts (and there are a lot of them). We also understood the worry that your carefully addressed letter might get shoved under the bed and ignored.

When your mind starts imagining the worst-case scenarios, like “why isn’t he writing to me?” other moms are there to help—you’ll hear that he’s just having too much fun! Don’t worry, every mom hopes her camper will change their underwear, brush their teeth, and sleep on clean sheets.

3. Dads Don’t Get Upset About the Disconnect

The drop-off day at camp highlighted the biological differences between parents. On that day, dads were just envious, feeling no stress. They were happy to hang around, enjoy the zipline, swim, eat burgers and fried chicken. Dads experience life through their kids, while moms are often tearful.

4. Gently Push Them Through the Tough Transition

When kids question whether they’re ready for something new, mothers naturally want to provide a safety net. However, gentle encouragement can give them the confidence they need to move forward. In time, the rewards will be immense. Overnight camp builds confidence, social skills, and maturity. We learn to be strong for them because when they can’t find their own strength, we are their strength.

5. You’ll Miss the Things That Used to Annoy You

When I found that life was a little quieter, I started to miss the chaos. When my younger son no longer had to dodge his older brother, our house felt off balance. There was less bickering, but more peace. His neatly made room made me feel a little sad—it reminded me that he wasn’t home. I had no idea what he was doing or how he was feeling.

All those little things that used to frustrate you—the forgotten toilet seat or the attitude when you ask your kid to brush their teeth—will be overlooked because we miss our kids, even those little annoyances.

6. Leftovers Will Take Over Your Fridge

At first, you’ll cook the same amount for dinner as usual. But you’ll quickly realize that your little one isn’t there to eat half of it. His absence means you’ll need to adjust your grocery list, but once you’ve figured it out, he’ll be home. Don’t worry—those leftovers can make great salad toppings!

7. We Gain Independence Too

We send our kids to overnight camp for many reasons, but we want them to gain independence. We want them to return home knowing how to make their bed, brush their teeth, and keep their space tidy. But over time, you’ll start to realize that you’re also regaining your independence.

The self you sacrificed to meet your child’s needs is slowly coming back into your life. When you miss your child, you’ll discover that you now have more time to focus on yourself.

8. Some Times of the Day, You’ll Miss Them More

Around noon, when your child would usually be at school, you won’t feel their absence as much. Noon seems just like any other time of the year, but mornings and evenings are harder. You’ll notice the empty chair at breakfast and dinner. You’ll notice the empty bed at night. When you lie in bed, you’ll feel their absence because your mom radar detects the missing piece of your family. But once they’ve been home for 24 hours, their room will be as messy as usual, and it will feel like they never left.

9. The Photos App Will Become Your New Best Friend

Around 9:00 AM—or whenever photos are uploaded to the Campanion app—you’ll eagerly await pictures of your child. You’ll scroll through, zooming in to see their expressions. This becomes your way of staying connected when they’re not around. Every day, when we eagerly await those pictures, every other summer camp mom is also anxiously waiting because our biggest goal is to make sure our kids are happy. Seeing their smiling faces will brighten your day.

This experience is a milestone not only for your child but also for you. Both of you will grow in ways that are hard to predict, but each moment will make you stronger and more connected in the end.