Sending your child to camp can be a blend of excitement and nerves—for both kids and parents. While camps are all about adventure, making new friends, and creating lasting memories, being away from home⎯whether it’s your first or fifth time, can also cause feelings of anxiety, homesickness, or stress. If those feelings impact your child’s camp experience, exploring how therapy can support them—even from a distance, is a good idea.
What Is Camp Anxiety?
Camp anxiety refers to persistent feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease that a child may experience before or during their time at camp. While some butterflies are normal, ongoing symptoms can affect your child’s ability to engage and enjoy activities.
Why Does Camp Trigger Anxiety?
New places, faces, and expectations can feel overwhelming, especially for children with a history of anxiety or mental health disorders. Even outgoing kids who have never been away from home can struggle when the comfort of their family isn’t nearby.
When Is Telehealth Therapy Needed For To Support You Child At Camp
Telehealth therapy may be needed for your child at camp, especially if their mental health needs are greater than what the on-site staff can provide. Here are situations when telehealth therapy would be a good support tool for your child while at camp if they:
- Are already in therapy, and need to continue sessions remotely during their stay at camp to maintain continuity of care.
- Experience increased anxiety, depression, behavioral outbursts, or trauma responses that camp staff cannot adequately manage.
- Show signs of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or significant emotional distress.
- Receive bad news from home (e.g., illness, death, family conflict) and need help processing it.
- Have experienced recent trauma or loss.
- Are struggling so much emotionally that they are at risk of leaving camp early.
- Have autism, ADHD, or other developmental or learning differences may need specialized emotional regulation or behavioral management support.
How To Provide Therapy For Your Child At Camp
It’s natural to feel helpless when your child is far from home and in distress. So the good news is that our therapists can provide telehealth services while your child is at camp to help support whatever needs they may have.
Communicate With Camp Staff Early
If possible, contact the camp before your child arrives to share any relevant mental health history, known triggers, or coping strategies that work well for your child. Most camps train staff to watch for signs of distress, but the more informed they are, the better they can intervene early.
Ask About Mental Health Resources At Camp
Here are some helpful questions to ask before registering your child:
- If my child sees a therapist regularly, can telehealth sessions continue during camp?
- Does the camp have licensed counselors or mental health professionals on staff?
- What is their process if a child needs additional emotional support?
- How do they communicate with parents during mental health events?
This information will help you assess if a camp is prepared to support your child’s specific needs.
Schedule Teletherapy Sessions
It’s very seamless to schedule a telehealth appointment from your child’s camp. Be sure to ask about their internet connectivity because if they don’t have any internet connection, this may be part of your decision on whether or not to send them to this camp.
Talk to your child’s therapist about scheduling regular check-ins during camp weeks and what their policy is for emergency situations. If you are needing support after hours for an emergency, you can call 988. Then, coordinate with camp staff to ensure your child has privacy and the setup they need for the sessions.
Create A Toolkit For Coping
Work with your child and their therapist ahead of time to develop a toolbox of coping strategies should they encounter anything that causes them distress. These might include breathing exercises, journaling, or time alone to decompress.
Tips For Parents Supporting An Anxious Camp
- Practice mini sleepovers before camp with friends or relatives to build their confidence about staying overnight somewhere other than home.
- Role-play common camp scenarios like missing home or feeling left out, and brainstorm coping responses.
- Pack items they love so they feel more comfortable.
If your child is nervous about standing out or missing group activities for therapy, remind them that mental health matters as much as physical health. Normalize conversations around stress, anxiety, and ways to cope in situations that aren’t comfortable. If you’d like to discuss telehealth therapy for your child while they’re at camp, contact us to schedule a free consultation.
