What Parents Are Often Nervous About (And What Usually Happens)
Greetings Potential Parents!
If you’re thinking about sending your son to sleepaway camp, there’s a good chance you’re excited.
There’s also a good chance you’re a little nervous.
That’s normal. Almost every family we talk to feels some version of it — especially if this is their first time with overnight camp. Even families who love the idea of camp usually have a few quiet questions they don’t always say out loud.
Not because something feels wrong — but because it matters.
Here are a few of the things parents tend to worry about most… and what we usually see happen instead.
“What if he gets homesick?”
Homesickness comes up a lot. And yes — some boys miss home at first.
What surprises parents is how often it passes quickly.
Days at camp are full in a good way. There’s always something happening, someone nearby, something to focus on. Most boys don’t dwell on missing home because they’re busy figuring out camp — where to go, what to try next, who they’re sitting with at lunch.
When homesickness does show up, counselors know how to handle it calmly and without making it a bigger deal than it needs to be. Most of the time, it fades on its own.
“What if he doesn’t make friends?”
This is probably the most common worry we hear.
Camp makes friendships easier than everyday life. Everyone is new. Everyone is sharing space. No one already has a group.
Cabins, meals, activities, and games naturally put boys together again and again. Friendships form quickly — often faster than parents expect. Sometimes it’s one close friend. Sometimes it’s a small group. Either way, it usually happens without much effort.
“What if it’s too structured… or not structured enough?”
Camp Arrowhead sits somewhere in the middle.
There’s a daily rhythm, so kids know what’s coming next. But there’s also room to breathe — time to wander, talk, relax, and just be kids.
That balance matters. Too much structure can feel tight. Too little can feel overwhelming. The goal is a day that feels full, not rushed.
“What if he struggles with independence?”
Most boys do — a little.
That’s part of the point.
Camp gives kids a chance to practice small independence: keeping track of their things, choosing activities, solving minor problems, asking for help when they need it. They don’t have to get it right all the time.
They just have to try.
“What if he’s not a ‘camp kid’?”
There’s no single type of kid who thrives at camp.
Some boys jump right in. Others take a day or two to settle. Some are loud. Some are quiet. Some love every activity. Some find their favorite and stick with it.
Camp isn’t about turning kids into someone else. It’s about giving them a place where they can be themselves — without the usual distractions.
What We See, Every Summer
What we see, year after year, is this:
Parents worry more than kids do.
By the time pickup comes around, most boys are already talking about next summer. They leave tired, a little dirtier than when they arrived, and full of stories they can’t quite tell all at once.
That’s usually how you know it worked.
If you’re feeling a little nervous about camp, you’re not alone. And if you have questions, we’re always happy to talk them through.
That’s part of the process too.
