Make Sure Child Is Mature Enough For Summer Camp

Is your child ready to go to camp?

Parents, who might be rigorous in researching and investigating a camp’s activity list and safety history, may make an assumption that can make summer a misery to be endured.

“Some people think that any child of 9 or 10 is ready for camp,” said Joel Goldstein. “Some think even 8 or 9 is old enough.”

But age shouldn’t be the determining factor, said Goldstein, a psychiatrist at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital. Emotional maturity is the key.

Parents should determine how their child deals with separation. “If you have a kid who never liked being left with sitters, who is fretful about going to school and doesn’t do sleepovers at friends’ houses, he’s probably not a good candidate at this time for away-camp,” said Goldstein.