5 Great Tips for Making New Friends at Summer Camp!

From shy caterpillars to social butterflies, 

help your child spread their wings at summer camp!

There are many details for parents to consider when selecting the right summer camp for their children. Perhaps you have one child who loves all things outdoors, and another who’d prefer to enjoy the A.C. on a hot summer day. With the abundance of summer options available, there are almost as many unique programs as there are children.

In addition to the specifics, there are a few common questions that all parents ask as they narrow down their summer camp search. One of them is some variation of:

“Will my child make friends at this camp?”

It’s completely natural to wish for your child’s social success at camp! Learning to make friends in a new environment is a great skill that you are never too young (or too old) to develop. Here are a few tips to help your child thrive at their new summer camp:

1. BRING A FRIEND

A great way to make friends at camp is to bring a friend with you. Knowing at least one other person at camp will boost your child’s sense of security in a new setting, and it will make it that much easier to try new activities and approach new friends. You can even talk with some of the parents at your child’s school or extracurricular programs to coordinate a camp carpool this summer. Having a friend to plan with and to share their excitement with during the months leading up to camp will relieve any apprehension about socializing since they know that they will see a familiar face on their first day.

2. TRY NEW THINGS

Is your child constantly cracking jokes at the dinner table? Singing in the car at the top of their lungs? Then this summer may be the perfect time try something new and nurture their enthusiasm at a comedy or vocal recording camp. Trying new things and discovering hidden talents are great ways to pull even the shyest child out of their shell and into the spotlight. Even if your child decides to attend camp solo, attending a specialty camp with other kids who have shared passions is a surefire way to create strong and lasting friendships built on common goals and dreams.

3. GET TO KNOW THE SPACE

Children (and adults) often feel overwhelmed when they’re in new environments with new people. Your child may feel more comfortable sticking to the sidelines at first, but they’ll miss out on all the fun and excitement of learning and connecting with their fellow campers. Be sure to get there at least a few minutes early so you and your child can talk to the camp director and become familiar with the space.  

4. MAKE THE FIRST MOVE

If you have a younger child attending their first camp, you may want to stick around for a few minutes after you sign in to instill feelings of safety within your child as they survey the camp site. However, you will both have a lot less fun if  they insist on clinging to you in the corner all day. As the two of you watch all the excitement around you, model bravery and walk over with them to a group of kids playing a game. You could also ask the director to make introductions with your child and some other campers. If you know you have a particularly nervous camper, it might be a good idea to brainstorm some ice-breaking questions with them to ease into conversations. “Have you attended this camp before?” or “What game are you playing?” are simple questions that can get a great conversation going. Talking to new people can be scary but doing so will only grow your child’s confidence in their ability to make friends everywhere they go.

BONUS: DON’T OVERTHINK IT!

Every parent wants to protect their child and make sure that they enjoy their time at camp and don’t feel alone. However, going to camp by themselves does not mean that they’ll be alone. They’ll be surrounded by other children, just as nervous, excited, and eager to learn and have fun as they are. So don’t overthink it! Your child may forget the staging from musical theater camp one day, but they’ll never forget the friends they made.

PAW’s award-winning camps for kids ages 5-14 include Musical Theater, Filmmaking, Guitar,  Magic, Photography, Rock The Mic, Stage F/X Makeup, Debate Camp & Camp LOL!

Trusted for over 30 years, PAW has 10 camp locations to choose from including; Brentwood, West LA, Manhattan Beach, RPV, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, East Pasadena, Old Town Pasadena, Northridge, and Studio City. For camp information call us at (310) 827-8827 or check out our website at www.PerformingArtsWorkshops.com.

Performing Arts Workshops ~ the ultimate ARTS experience.
Part Art…Part Play…ALL FUN!