Camp News & Blog

Summer camp is one of the most exciting times of the year, but it can also be a little tough—especially when you’re away from home and missing your pets. Imagine if you had a friendly Golden Retriever by your side, ready to offer comfort, play, and companionship. Sounds awesome, right? Our Director, Tony, and his wife Stacie, have been bringing their dogs, Scout and Summer, to camp for over two decades! 

Homesickness is totally normal when you’re away at camp. Having loving dogs like Scout and Summer can help ease that feeling. Tony and Stacie love walking their dogs around camp at the end of the day to say goodnight to the bunks. Whether it’s cuddling up for a quiet moment or just having a dog to talk to, friendly pets help fill that little gap that sometimes feels like a big hole when you’re missing home.

Golden Retrievers are especially great at offering emotional support, thanks to their calm, loving nature. Just petting a dog releases feel-good hormones, making you feel happier and less anxious—so if you’re having a down day, you have a furry friend to help you through. Their playful personality also helps break the ice and make it easier to make new friends.

Golden Retrievers are also famous for their friendly and gentle nature. They love people and have an almost magical ability to make people feel loved and appreciated. So if you’re missing your own dog, Scout and Summer can give you the comfort of unconditional love. You’ll find that spending time with a dog will boost your mood and make you feel more connected to camp life.

Having a loving Golden Retriever at camp can make your summer experience unforgettable. Not only do you get a fun, playful companion to share your adventures with, but you also gain a source of emotional support when you need it the most. If you’ve ever thought about how awesome it would be to have a dog at camp, you’re not alone! Scout and Summer could be the perfect furry friend to help you feel right at home and make your camp memories even more special.

Tony and Stacie look forward to introducing Scout and Summer to all of our campers and staff this summer!

You’ve started your research and have begun looking at overnight camps. You’re excited, but unsure if your child (or you) are *really* ready. We get it. 

So, how do you know if your child is ready for overnight camp? There is no magic answer to this question and it’s important to consider a variety of factors when making this decision. Luckily our team has decades of experience helping families navigate this question. Here are some questions to ask as you navigate exploring overnight summer camp. 

1. Does your child love day camp?
   
   This is a great place to start. There are many similarities between day and overnight camps. Does your child love running around with their friends at day camp? Playing games? Singing songs? Being outside? Day and overnight camps offer many of the same activities, and if your child loves day camp, then it’s likely they will enjoy the activities overnight camp offers as well.
   
   
2. Can my child perform routine hygiene tasks on their own?
   
   At sleepaway camp, counselors will remind and encourage their campers to brush their teeth, wash their face, and shower daily. And, your child will need to complete and manage these routines on their own. If your child can care for their own hygiene (with some gentle yet firm encouragement), then they will probably be able to do so at camp.
   
   
3. What are sleepovers like for my child?
   Think of sleepovers as a super mini-version of overnight camp. Your child is dropped off somewhere they don’t normally sleep, they do activities, spend the night, and then they are picked up to return home. Just like camp! If your child enjoys sleepovers with their friends and family, that is a great sign that they will also enjoy overnight camp.
   
   
4. Does your child want to go to sleepaway camp?
   
   Whenever someone asks us if their child is ready for sleepaway camp, we often turn the question around. How does your child feel about going to overnight camp? It is appropriate to ask them how they feel and trust their judgment. You can form a partnership with your child and make the decision together. Know that it is normal for kids to feel many emotions about camp. If they want to attend, that’s an encouraging sign that they are ready for the experience. It’s harder for kids to succeed at camp if they don’t want to be there in the first place.
   
   
5. You plan a night out and hire a sitter for the evening. Is your child asleep when you come home late at night?
   
   It’s normal for kids not to want their parents to go out without them! For some kids separating is the hardest part. Once their parents leave they have a great time with the sitter and they are able to complete nighttime routines and fall asleep without their parents. If this is the case, it’s a good sign that your child will be comfortable at camp. For other children, just being apart is difficult. Do you come home from a night out to find your child anxiously awaiting your arrival? Camp helps kids become more independent, and some degree of independence is required to be successful when first attending overnight camp.
   
   
6. You attend a family friend’s birthday party with your child, and there is a group of kids playing a game when you arrive. You know your kid likes this game! You ask your child if they want to join in on the game..how do they respond?
   
   Camp helps prepare kids to navigate new situations in the real world, because there is a lot of novelty at camp – new staff, new friends, new activities, new experiences…so much newness! Willingness to try new things with new people is one component of what makes kids successful at camp.
   
   
7. How would you describe your child’s friendships?
   
   Kids thrive at camp when they form age appropriate friendships! Your child doesn’t need to have a million friends to be ready for camp. Some children are very comfortable having a smaller circle of friends. Perhaps they are introverts or maybe just quieter. That’s fine…even at camp! Though being comfortable around your peers is essential. If your child hasn’t yet developed age appropriate friendships I suggest talking to a camp director as you consider enrolling in overnight camp.
   
   
8. [Bonus Question!] OK, I read through your helpful list! I’m still not sure if my child is ready for overnight camp. What should I do?
   
   Sometimes this decision isn’t crystal clear. The good news is you have some options. Many camps offer introductory sessions for younger campers. Camp Emerson offers Session 4, which lasts one week. This is a great way for your child to try camp for a shorter length of time.
   
   Talking to one of our directors can also be helpful. We love helping families navigate this important question! We have decades of experience helping families make this decision.
   

Our advice – be honest and open about who your child is when talking to camp. You’re beginning a partnership that will hopefully last for many summers. We can’t wait to welcome many new families to camp this year! If you have questions about your child’s readiness for camp please reach out to our year-round team! We’d be delighted to connect with you.