“Are They Really Ready?” How I Knew My Camper Was Ready

By Whitney Strang, Director of Development

Like so many parents, I often wonder if my children are ready for the next milestone: Is he ready for school, ready for sports, ready for a new level of independence? As soon as my oldest turned eight, I started considering a new milestone, was he really ready for overnight camp?

From the moment I joined the staff at Camp Ondessonk, my oldest was excited to be a camper. He knew he would have to wait, but that didn’t stop him from talking about being a camper and dreaming about his week in the woods.

He eagerly sat next to me as we selected which week he would attend and started his own “countdown to Camp” once his registration was submitted. His excitement brought me so much joy, but I couldn’t help but question if he really was ready for the experience. His three nights of Mini Camp would be his first time away from home for more than a sleepover with family.

In the months before Summer Camp, I looked for signs of maturity to comfort my worried heart, but the same thoughts kept creeping into my mind: What if he got homesick? What if he didn’t make friends? What if he just isn’t ready?

Driving down the Camp Road on that fateful Sunday he’d eagerly anticipated, I watched him in the rearview mirror and said a prayer that his time at Camp would be everything he wanted. As we checked him in and got him settled in his cabin, the smiles from the dedicated staff brought comfort, but the questions lingered as I walked back to my car.

When I arrived on Wednesday to pick up my dirt-covered, sun-kissed camper, all my worry melted away. He was bursting with stories about canoeing, archery, eating s’mores, and so much more. I knew in that moment: He was ready. More than ready.

The stories continued during the drive home. He told me about inspection, snog, and the opening campfire. He also told me how he’d felt homesick on the first night. But it wasn’t what I’d feared. His story started with his sadness but became about his new friends. He told me how his bunk mate comforted him and how his counselors helped him through that first night. What I had feared would ruin his experience, brought him closer to his cabinmates and counselors.

During that same ride home, he started planning for the next summer and what friends he would recruit to join him. He’s now registered for his third summer at Camp Ondessonk, his first full week.

The transformation is undeniable. He grew so much during his first week at Camp. He became more brave, more independent, and more self-assured. Most of all, he had fun.

If you’re a parent sitting on the fence, wondering if your child is ready for overnight camp, sometimes the best way to find out is to let them try. You just might be surprised by the joy and confidence they bring home.

Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s Summer Camp Programs.