When is a child old enough to go to an overnight summer camp?
By Stringbean
@Stringbean (1273)
United States
February 5, 2007 5:53pm CST
There are summer camps galore out there for children of all ages and every conceivable interest. Many of the camps, especially for younger children, are day camps. Other camps may be overnight for a week-end, 3 days, or even a week or two at a time.
Should a child attend day camps before attending his first overnight camp; is 8 years old too young for an overnight camp; or does the decision just depend on the particular child in question?
2 responses
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
5 Feb 07
That depends entirely on the kid. My son, was a confident outgoing kid who could roll with the punches, at 8, he would have had no problem with it. On the other hand, he went away with kids that were 11 & 12 who could not handle a week away.
@Stringbean (1273)
• United States
6 Feb 07
We took a friend of my daughter's camping once and she cried almost all night long the first night away. Guess it does depend mostly on the individual child.
@chinodonn (29)
• United States
5 Feb 07
I think that a child who is around the age of 10 can pull off an overnighter, but it also depends on the child. If the child is self-reliant, then it should not be a problem.
@Stringbean (1273)
• United States
6 Feb 07
Ten sounds about right to me, too. Eight, unless the child is pretty social already may think he or she is ready but really miss Mom and Dad more than he thinks he will.
