Preparing your Child Emotionally for Summer Camp: Resilience

One of the most valuable lessons a child can learn at summer camp is resilience. Throughout their time away, campers will face moments filled with big emotions—whether it’s missing home, navigating new friendships, or trying something unfamiliar. Camp is designed to help kids grow through these moments. Through shared experiences like games, team challenges, and cabin activities, campers build trust, feel a sense of belonging, and learn to bounce back from challenges with confidence. These moments of connection and community are what make camp so powerful—and so memorable.

Here are 4 practical tips to help your child build resilience right now!

1. Encourage your child to try new things—even when they feel hard or impossible.Talk regularly about the importance of stepping outside their comfort zone. Remind them that it's not about being perfect or even winning—it's about facing difficult things with courage and feeling proud of themselves for trying. Camp is full of new opportunities, and showing up with a willing spirit is what truly matters.

2. Use everyday challenges to build reflection and bounce-back skills.When your child experiences a tough moment—whether at school, with a sibling, or during a game—walk them through it. Ask questions like:What happened? How did it feel? What could you do differently next time?Helping them process situations in this way gives them ownership over their actions and builds real confidence. Over time, they’ll begin to bounce back quicker and develop a healthier, more hopeful outlook on handling challenges.

3. Teach the value of being part of a team—even when it’s hard.Talk to your child about the reality of working with others—especially people they might not naturally connect with. Life is full of moments where we need to team up with people who are different from us: people we don’t always agree with, don’t instantly like, or wouldn’t choose as a friend. And that’s okay. Jesus loves them, too.

Remind your child that being part of a team means being patient, kind, and open to understanding others—even when it takes effort. Camp cabins are small, shared spaces where teamwork, peace, and community are vital. Sometimes, the people who challenge us the most help us grow the most—and often, we need them just as much as we need our closest friends.

4. Normalize asking for help—and trusting their counselors.Let your child know that counselors are there because they care. They’re not just enforcing rules; they genuinely want every camper to feel seen, safe, and supported. Encourage your child to go to them with questions, worries, or even just to talk. There’s no shame in needing help—it's a strength. Camp staff are there to make sure every camper has an experience filled with growth, fun, and connection.

Our hope is that your children will be given the best opportunity to thrive during their summer camp experience. We want them to grow in their faith and confidence in the skills and abilities that God has given them.

Remember, the strength to persevere and grow comes from God. As Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This summer, give your child the gift of resilience and watch them flourish in ways you never imagined, knowing that they are supported by God’s strength every step of the way.