Should children be forced to go to summer camp?

Going on summer camps is quite an adventure. Packing a backpack, traveling by bus, participating in outdoor activities, and... sleeping away from home. One, two, or three nights. For many children, this circumstance is irrelevant, but for others, it's one of the reasons they put off.

For a time, children and families weren't taken into account, nor was the possibility of children not attending, at least, school-organized summer camps considered. Now, according to Marta Forner, psychologist and coordinator of the CDIAP EDAI Les Corts-Sarrià, there's a more respectful attitude towards this issue, and the trend is to listen more to children to analyze whether or not they're ready. If we're lucky enough to have our child want to go, we save ourselves the worry of insisting, or not, so that they don't miss out on the experience and the supposed benefits of these stays.

But what are the benefits of summer camps?

At this point, Forner debunks myths: there are no universal benefits to summer camps, but rather they depend on each child, their emotional state, and previous experiences. She points out that all this background is what allows us to assess whether or not a child can experience summer camps as a positive experience. On the contrary, if children feel ready, she sees summer camps as a space to explore and foster their autonomy because they are away from their parents but in a safe and structured environment. "Living among peers helps strengthen bonds and improves social skills," adds Forner, who also sees the benefits of trying out new routines and reacting to unforeseen events that may arise during the days.

How do we know if it's the right time? Three factors that help us recognize it.

There's no specific or universal age to start camp: every child has their own ideal time. If a child in their 14s has never had a sleepover, doing so for the first time with camp doesn't seem like a good idea, but if they already have, it can be quite a challenge. Therefore, and to help parents know if their child is ready, they recommend taking three factors into account.

First: previous experiences. That is, if the child has already had sleepovers—whether at the grandparents', aunts', uncles', or even a friend's house—and has handled it well, they are more likely to positively experience the separation from camp. The second factor is the network of adults, teachers, or counselors who accompany the child at this point. Are these adults trustworthy for the child? Does the child feel safe and comfortable, or are they strangers? And the third, and most important, aspect for the psychologist: seeing if the child is willing and interested when the summer camp is proposed. When the response is positive, the experience is off to a good start.

If they don't want to go, what do we do?

For Forner, it's not necessary to try to convince them, but rather to fully understand the child's current situation, even if as adults we feel they're missing out on a good experience. Forcing them is, according to the expert, "the risk of summer camps" in itself because it can end up generating emotional distress and, in turn, give the child negative experiences of separation, which can make things worse later on or on other occasions. The psychologist points out that children can lose trust in the adult who forces them and may even reject group school outings, and warns that in some cases, children don't want to go on outings even if they haven't slept away from home.

Can we help them manage the wait?

To support children who ultimately agree to go on summer camp but aren't sure about it, Forner also offers some strategies for families. First, plan ahead. A visual calendar to count the remaining days is one of her recommendations for working on the concept of time, which is so difficult for little ones to grasp. She also advises involving them in making necessary purchases, such as a flashlight, a raincoat, or other accessories. Furthermore, Forner advises that to make life easier for children and, at the same time, help them become more independent, it's very helpful to pack their backpack together so they know what they're carrying and where it's stored, and even let them decide on some of the clothes they're taking.