Summer camp can be an exciting adventure for kids, but it can also be overwhelming with new routines, people, and activities. Here are some practical tips and strategies to prepare your child for a fun and successful camp experience.
5 Things to do to Help Your Kids Prepare for Camp
- Explore the Camp Virtually or In Person: Help kids feel more in control of a new situation by giving them the opportunity to see the camp before the first day. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, check it out online together. Viewing photos and videos can make the new environment feel familiar and fun.
- Create a Visual Schedule: All kids benefit from routine, but kids and tweens with ADHD benefit even more. Help them create a new one by making a daily and weekly schedule with your child. Include morning routines, mealtimes, the camp schedule, and even include what happens after camp. Specificity will help your child adapt to the new routine faster.
- Pack Extra Snacks: Kids often forget to eat in new social situations, particularly those taking ADHD medication. Pack extra snacks and add reminders to eat. Consider setting watch alarms or placing notes/pictures in lunchboxes as visual cues. Visual cues are surprisingly helpful!
- Discuss Feelings: We know this one is easier said than done, but if you take some time to listen, you might be surprised by what you hear. Spend some one-on-one time with your kid and try to understand what they’re most excited about and let them share any worries they might have. Acknowledging and validating their feelings can make a big difference, helping them feel understood and supported. Bedtime is often when kids open up, making it a great time to help them process their day.
- Communicate with Counsellors: If possible, introduce your child to counsellors ahead of time, or consider arriving early the morning of the first day. Discuss any concerns or special needs so the staff is prepared to support your child. Help your child connect with a specific counsellor for a sense of security. When your child sees you connecting positively with their counsellor, they’re more likely to view them as a safe adult in their life.
We also recommend taking time to complete this Getting Ready For Camp worksheet we created. Take a few minutes to complete it with your camper.
Talking to the Counsellors: Here’s What to Tell Them
Although timing can be tight, most camps are open to connecting you and your camper with their counsellor or unit head before the start of camp. Even a quick, virtual chat can help your kid start transitioning to a new routine and set everybody up for a successful summer!
- Likes and Dislikes: Share your child’s favourite activities and those they might not enjoy as much. This helps counsellors engage your child in enjoyable activities and better prepare for less exciting ones. This is so important when ADHD is in the picture!
- Meals, Snacks, and Medication: Provide details about dietary needs or medications, and ensure counsellors know snack times and any specific requirements. If possible, try to inform them if your child has or hasn’t taken their medication for the day, as they are not allowed to ask you explicitly, but it can help counsellors plan for a more successful day.
- Strengths and Praises: Let counsellors know what your child excels at and how they like to be encouraged. Positive reinforcement is important for all children, but particularly important for kids who have ADHD, who may draw negative attention to themselves at times.
- Activities to Overcome Boredom: Kids with ADHD often have a lower threshold for boredom than their peers and can require higher levels of stimulation to remain engaged in activities. Share activities your child enjoys with counsellors in advance or brainstorm tasks that keep them engaged and moving. It can be particularly helpful to give kids jobs that can be done safely and that give kids a chance to get up, move around, and re-engage.
- Emotion Dysregulation & Meltdowns: Inform counsellors about triggers and what helps your child in moments of emotional overwhelm. What do you do at home to help your kid stay calm during these episodes? What does your child respond best to?
What If Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to Camp?
Sometimes kids are hesitant, but other times they seem adamant about not going to camp. You set the expectations, but it’s important to listen to their feelings and listen for easy ways to troubleshoot.
- Ask and Listen: Understand their reasons and find solutions together.
- Empathize and Problem-Solve: Address their concerns rather than dismissing their feelings.
- Try New Things Twice: We can’t dislike what we haven’t tried, so encourage them to give activities a fair chance. Try it twice before deciding!
- Discuss and Compromise: Find solutions that make them feel comfortable. If they’d rather stay home and play video games, then consider letting them have extra screen time when they get home or on the weekend. If they want to bring a toy with them, then the answer is yes if it helps them get out the door!
- Create Lists and Plans: Prepare for different situations to give them a sense of control. Often opposition comes from a loss of control, so give them tools to feel like they have a say and some control over the situation. Visuals or a mini whiteboard for them to use themselves can be helpful.
- Open Communication: Encourage them to share their thoughts by listening without speaking or interrupting. If they would rather write a letter to you, then that works too.
- Make it Social: Consider arranging for them to go with a friend or connect with other kids in advance. Meeting friends in advance can help make camp more fun, exciting, and more comfortable.
- Share a Personal Story: Relate to them with personal experiences. Kids love hearing their parents’ stories and appreciate it when their parents have had similar experiences to share and learn from.
Finding the right balance between respecting your child’s feelings and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone can be challenging. The goal is to build confidence and independence in a supportive and empowering way. By addressing their concerns, exploring options together, and being open to feedback, you can create a positive experience, whether they attend camp or pursue other activities.
Remember, every child is unique, and what matters most is that they feel heard, valued, and excited about their summer adventures.
Additional Advice for Kids with ADHD
- Practice Social Skills: Before camp, help your child practice social interactions they might encounter. Role-playing common scenarios can build confidence and reduce anxiety about meeting new people.
- Set Realistic Goals: Work with your child to set achievable goals for their camp experience. This could include making a new friend, trying a new activity, or following the camp schedule.
- Use Visual Aids: Visual aids like charts, checklists, and picture schedules can be particularly helpful for kids with ADHD. These tools can make abstract concepts more concrete and easier to understand.
- Establish a Calm-Down Plan: Discuss and practice calming techniques your child can use if they feel overwhelmed. This could include deep breathing exercises, counting to ten, or having a quiet place to go if they need a break.
- Encourage Self-Advocacy: Teach your child to speak up about their needs and preferences. Role-playing can help them practice how to ask for help or express when they need a break.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check in with your child and camp staff to ensure the strategies are working. Be prepared to make adjustments based on feedback and your child’s experiences.
If you need more support getting your camper ready for camp and other new transitions, we are here to support you.
About Springboard Clinic
Springboard is an Ontario-based clinic offering personalized care for children, teens and adults with ADHD, helping them embrace their unique strengths and thrive at every stage of life.
