What if my child wants to go to camp but seems scared?

Mixed feelings are common. Parents can acknowledge both excitement and worry, visit the camp beforehand, and use the first few days to establish routines and communication with staff.

How can I help my child feel more prepared for day camp?

Families can prepare by visiting camp, walking through a typical day, practicing morning routines, and using camp tour questions to talk about what to expect.

What if we try camp and the first days are difficult?

It is common for the start of camp to feel bumpy. Well-run programs will communicate with parents, offer extra check-ins, and help children find activities and peer groups that feel comfortable.

is my child ready for day camp

Q: What is the best age to start day camp?

Many children start day camp between ages four and seven, but the right age depends more on the child’s ability to handle separation, group routines, and an active day than on a specific birthday.

Q: What if my child is shy or anxious?

Shy or anxious children can do well at day camp when staff are trained to provide gentle support. Parents can speak with camp leadership in advance so counselors know how to encourage and check in with their child.

Enroll Here

real stories of friendship, growth, and lifelong memories. For many families, the decision to send a child to day camp is about much more than filling summer days. It’s about independence, social growth, and giving your child a safe place to try new things away from home.

Still, it’s completely normal to wonder: “Is my child really ready?” This guide walks through the key signs of readiness—emotional, social, and practical—so you can make a confident decision. If you’re also comparing different camp models, you can explore the Camp Comparison Hub for side-by-side guides.

1. Emotional Readiness: How Do They Handle Separation?

One of the biggest indicators of camp readiness is how your child manages being away from you for part of the day. You don’t need a child who never gets nervous—just one who can feel unsure and still move forward with support.

Questions to consider:

Can your child separate from you at school, activities, or playdates with some reassurance?
Do they recover from tears or clinginess once they’re engaged in an activity?
Have they successfully spent time with trusted adults (teachers, coaches, relatives) without you present?
When they talk about camp, do they sound mostly curious or mostly fearful?

It’s okay if your child has some nerves—most do. The goal is to see signs that they can work through those feelings with the help of caring adults. For more about how staff support that process, see How to Evaluate Day Camp Safety.

2. Social Readiness: How Do They Do With Other Kids?

Camp is a very social environment. Children spend most of the day in groups, sharing activities, taking turns, and working together. Your child doesn’t need to be outgoing—but they should be able to function in a group with support.

Ask yourself:

Has my child spent time in group settings like preschool, school, or classes?
Can they follow basic group directions (“line up,” “sit in a circle,” “wait your turn”)?
Do they eventually warm up and engage, even if they are shy at first?
Do they show interest in other kids, even if they’re nervous about approaching them?

Day camp can be one of the best places to build social confidence, especially when counselors are trained to support shy, anxious, or sensitive kids. For a deeper look at how this works, see How Summer Camp Builds Social Skills Better Than School.

3. Stamina and Routine: Can They Handle a Full Camp Day?

Camp days are active. Kids move between program areas, play outside, and stay engaged for several hours at a time. That’s great for their bodies and brains—but it helps if they have enough stamina to enjoy it.

Consider:

Is your child used to a school or daycare schedule with a full morning and afternoon?
Do they manage a busy day without frequent meltdowns or shutdowns?
Can they follow a routine with transitions (activities, meals, bathroom breaks)?
Do they bounce back from an active day with rest at home?

If you’re uncertain, you might start with a shorter session or talk with camp leadership about how they handle rest, shade, hydration, and quiet time. Many nature-based programs balance active play with calm moments. For more on the benefits of that, see Outdoor Learning: Why Nature-Based Camps Build Confidence.

4. Comfort With Outdoor Play and Getting Messy

Most day camps—including those in New Jersey—spend a lot of time outdoors. That may mean grass, dirt, sunscreen, bug spray, water play, and weather that isn’t always perfect.

Your child doesn’t have to love mud, but it helps if they:

Can tolerate getting a little wet, sandy, or sweaty
Can handle minor discomforts (wet shirt, grass on legs, warm days) with coaching
Enjoy parks, playgrounds, or outdoor recess

If your child is sensitive to textures, temperature, or sensory input, talk with the camp about how they support kids who need extra reassurance. Many families are surprised by how quickly children adapt when they see friends having fun outside.

5. Screens, Phones, and the Summer Reset

Another piece of readiness is how your child handles time away from screens and devices. Strong day camps have clear policies about phones and electronics, creating a rare space where kids can focus on in-person connection.

It may be a good sign if you’re thinking:

“My child needs a break from constant YouTube, TikTok, or gaming.”
“We need more real-life play and less arguing over screen time.”
“My child seems more anxious or moody after long screen sessions.”

Camp can act as a reset button for those patterns. To learn more about how that works, visit Screen-Free Summers: Why Camp Helps Reduce Phone Anxiety.

6. Practical Readiness: Logistics, Transportation, and Support

Readiness is not just about your child—it’s also about whether the camp’s structure fits your family’s needs.

Think through:

Will we drive, or do we need day camp transportation?
Does the camp day align with our work schedule?
What’s our plan if our child struggles the first week?
Do we feel comfortable with the camp’s safety, communication, and staff training?

Transportation can be a big factor in how smooth the day feels. For details on what to look for in a bus or carline system, see Day Camps With Transportation: What Parents Should Know.

7. What If I’m Still Unsure?

It’s completely normal to feel torn—especially if this is your child’s first camp experience.

Here are a few practical steps:

Talk with your child. Ask what excites them and what worries them about camp.
Schedule a tour. Seeing the camp, meeting staff, and walking the grounds can calm both parent and child nerves. Use the question guide in 30 Essential Questions to Ask on a Camp Tour.
Start with a realistic goal. Maybe the first goal is simply getting comfortable with the routine, not mastering every activity.
Remember that readiness is a spectrum. Few kids check every box perfectly. Look for “ready with support,” not “perfectly independent.”

If you’re also comparing different camp models (sports-focused, overnight, all-around day camp), the guides in the Camp Comparison Hub can help you match the format to your child’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to start day camp?

Many children start day camp between ages 4 and 7, but there is no single “right” age. Readiness depends more on your child’s ability to handle separation, group routines, and a full day of activity than on a specific birthday.

What if my child is shy or anxious?

Shy or anxious kids can do very well at day camp, especially when staff are trained to provide gentle support. You can talk with the camp about your child’s personality, and they can often pair them with encouraging counselors and peers.

What if my child says they want to go but seems scared?

Mixed feelings are normal. You can acknowledge their worries, visit the camp together, and start with clear check-ins during the first week. Many children feel nervous beforehand and then quickly settle into the routine.

How can I help my child feel more prepared?

Visit the camp ahead of time, practice the morning routine, and talk through what a typical day will look like. Reading the camp calendar together and meeting staff can also make things feel more familiar. For more ideas, use the questions in the camp tour guide.

What if we try camp and it’s a tough start?

It’s common for the first few days to be bumpy. Strong camps will partner with you—adjusting groups if needed, offering extra check-ins, and helping your child find activities and friends that feel like a good match.

If you’d like to talk through your child’s individual situation with a camp team, you can schedule a tour, email fun@libertylakedaycamp.com, or call 609-499-7820.