In 12 years of running Camp Telaphiba, I've never had a parent tell me, "I wish I would have waited to send my child."
But I've heard plenty say, "I wish I would have sent her sooner."
Isn't that interesting?
As parents, we spend so much time trying to determine when our children are ready for something new. Ready for kindergarten. Ready for a sleepover. Ready to ride their bike without us holding on.
And then comes overnight summer camp.
Suddenly, we're wondering if seven is too young. Or eight. Or maybe we should wait until ten?
But after watching thousands of campers experience the magic of overnight camp, I've come to believe something that might surprise you.
Sometimes the question isn't whether our children are ready. It's whether we're ready to let them discover that they are.
Why Younger Campers Sometimes Surprise Us
When we opened Camp Telaphiba to younger dancers, something wonderful happened.
We discovered that many of our youngest campers absolutely THRIVE.
In fact, I've sometimes watched a seven- or eight-year-old adjust to camp more easily than a first-time camper who is 12, 13, or 14.
Why?
I think younger children often approach the world with a beautiful sense of wonder. They're curious. They're excited. They're open to new adventures.
And sometimes, they simply haven't learned all the reasons they should be afraid of something new.
That doesn't mean every seven-year-old is ready or that an older child has missed their opportunity. Not at all.
But it does make me wonder whether age is really the best measurement of readiness.
Are We Accidentally Teaching Our Kids to Be Nervous?
Oh, parents. This one comes from a place of love.
When we're considering something as big as overnight camp, it's natural to have questions. Will she make friends? Will she sleep okay? What if she misses us?
But here's what I've learned.
The way we introduce an opportunity to our children can shape how they feel about it.
Imagine these two conversations.
"Honey, would you want to go to overnight camp? I know you've never been away from us that long, and you might get homesick, but we could try it if you think you're ready."
Versus:
"Oh my goodness! I found this amazing dance camp where you get to spend your days dancing, making friends, and having adventures in the mountains! Can you imagine how much fun that would be?"
Same opportunity. Very different introduction.
One asks a child to consider everything that might be difficult.
The other invites her to imagine everything that might be wonderful.
And I think that matters.
Five Questions Worth Asking Yourself
Now, I want to be very clear about something.
You know your child better than anyone.
I would never suggest that every child should attend overnight camp at seven, eight, or any particular age.
But if you've been wondering whether your child is ready, perhaps these questions will help you look at it a little differently.
Does my child show genuine excitement about the idea of camp? Even a little spark of curiosity can be meaningful.
Am I concerned because of something specific about my child, or because the idea of being apart makes me nervous? Both feelings are valid, but they're not the same.
Have I introduced camp as an adventure or as something that might be difficult? Sometimes our language shapes their expectations before they've had a chance to form their own.
Am I waiting for my child to demonstrate independence before giving her opportunities to develop it? That's a big one.
What might my child discover about herself if I gave her the chance to try? Not just at camp, but in the years that follow.
You don't need to have perfect answers.
I just think they're worth considering.
What If Readiness Isn't Something We Wait For?
Here's something I think about often.
We want our children to be confident, independent, and resilient. We want them to make friends, navigate unfamiliar situations, and believe in themselves.
But how do they develop those qualities?
By having opportunities to practice them.
At Camp Telaphiba, I've watched children arrive a little apprehensive and leave standing a little taller. They've made new friends. They've tried new things. They've discovered that they can handle moments that initially felt uncomfortable.
And perhaps most importantly, they've discovered that they can do something without Mom or Dad right beside them.
What a gift!
Not because they don't need us anymore. Of course they do.
But because they're beginning to discover what they're capable of.
Sometimes the Biggest Leap of Faith Belongs to the Parent
When a parent tells me they don't think their child is quite ready for camp, I always respect that. They know their child, and I take that seriously.
But sometimes, with a little smile, I might gently suggest:
"Do you think maybe you're the one who's not quite ready?"
And we usually have a little laugh.
Because sometimes there's a bit of truth in that question.
Letting our children experience something wonderful without us requires trust. Trust in the people caring for them, certainly. But also trust in our children.
And I can't think of many messages more powerful than a parent looking at their child and saying:
"You're ready for this. I believe in you. You're going to knock it out of the park."
Imagine what that does for a child's confidence.
Imagine what it means when she comes home and realizes you were right.
She really could do it.
So, what's the best age to start overnight summer camp?
I don't think there's one magic number.
But I do think there's something pretty extraordinary about giving children the opportunity to discover their independence while they're still young enough to see the world as one big adventure.
And if you're wondering whether this might be the summer?
Maybe start by asking your child what excites her about camp.
Then listen.
You might discover she's more ready than you think.
That's the dream.
Lisa Pevateaux
Dream Maker, Camp Telaphiba
Ready to see what summer could look like for your dancer?
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