What’s the Best Age for Overnight Camp?

June 25, 2018

overnight camp maryland

Camp Netimus, an overnight camp for girls near Maryland, is one of the most complete programs in camping, offering a wide range of activities from outdoor sports to adventures to performing arts and equestrian.  Here at Camp Netimus, campers learn and have fun in a safe and encouraging environment. Girls are free to test themselves in athletics, express themselves in the arts, or simply be themselves while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery at our girls overnight camp near Maryland. Our summer camp is a great place for girls to spend their summer, with over a hundred faculty and staff representing different countries from around the world, working to ensure your camper has a positive experience. But are you and your little camper ready?

When to start sending your child to Overnight Camp?

This is a decision that depends on you, your parenting style, and your child’s temperament. Many kids have extremely fun and successful camp experiences as young as six years old, but that’s too young for most kids (here at Camp Netimus we start accepting girls at the age of 7). And, for some parents. The thought of their daughter going somewhere without them is unimaginable. Here are some guidelines that we recommend to parents who aren’t sure what age is best to send their child to overnight camp:

5. 5 or under is too young for overnight camp alone. Parents of children who are 5-year-olds or younger should go to a family camp together, or try an American Camp Association accredited day camp program in their area, which is a great way to get the feel for what camp is all about!

7. If at age 7 your daughter is a fairly independent kid, and can take a shower on her own, happily goes to school and is fine at day camps and other activities without you constantly by her side, and is asking to go, then she's ready for Camp Netimus! You, as the parent, must also be confident in your child’s ability to be away from you, and be able to express that confidence to your child. This is not the age to force camp upon a hesitant child.

9. If your 9-year-old is excited to go to camp, go for it! Sign her up for Camp Netimus! But if your 9-year-old is still hesitant about going to camp, try exposing her to the idea of camp.

11. It’s really time.

13. Please let her go! Seriously.

Contact Us

We here at Camp Netimus understand that it can be hard to let your little girl go, and/or girls may be hesitant about camp as old as 9, 11, or even at 13, and if that's the case, then it is possible that they might be hesitant at 18 about going to college too. Let Camp Netimus help your daughter work through those feelings!

 


Camp Netimus is one of the leading sleepaway camps for girls in the Country. If you’re looking for a summer camp for girls that highlights activities like: horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, water skiing, and/or musical theatre in the Northeast area: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, contact Camp Netimus at: 1.866.NETIMUS (toll free) or 570.296.6131