A Parent’s Checklist for Sending Kids to Sleepaway Camp
Sending your child to sleepaway camp is exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also feel a little heavy and overwhelming at times for you and them. You’re proud of them, nervous for them, and quietly wondering if you’ve remembered everything, while they’re feeling excited and nervous for their big adventure. Beyond packing bags, there’s a lot parents do behind the scenes to make sure camp feels safe, fun, and manageable for their child.
This checklist focuses on those behind-the-scenes steps, the kind parents only realize matter once camp is already underway. These parent-approved tips and proven checklists will help prepare you and your children for sleepaway camp like never before!
Quick Answer / TL;DR
Preparing for sleepaway camp goes beyond packing. Taking time to label belongings, organize paperwork, set communication expectations, and support emotional readiness helps little campers feel confident and gives parents peace of mind once drop-off day arrives.
1. Label Everything Before Camp Starts
Labeling may feel like a small, tedious detail, but once camp begins, it becomes one of the easiest ways to reduce parents' stress and increase kids' organization. It also ensures your child has a better chance at keeping up with their belongings at camp, so they have everything when they need it.
With shared cabins, packed schedules, and lots of similar-looking gear, labeled items are far more likely to make their way back home at the end of summer, saving money from replacing lost things!
Before your child leaves, label:
- All clothing, socks, and swimwear
- Towels, bedding, and sleeping bags
- Shoes, sandals, and boots
- Toiletries, bug spray, sunscreen, and miscellaneous items
- Water bottles, flashlights, backpacks, and luggage
With Name Bubbles' award-winning sleepaway camp bundle, you’ll have enough personalized name labels to cover every last clothing item and essential that your child takes with them to camp. If you’ve never labeled your child’s belongings, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find there won’t be any trips to the lost-and-found at the end of the trip!
2. Double-Check Camp Paperwork & Medical Forms
Paperwork isn’t the fun part of camp prep, but it’s one of the things parents are most relieved to have done early. Completing forms ahead of time gives you space to review details calmly and avoids last-minute stress right before drop-off.
Rushing or doing last-minute paperwork can lead to potential delays getting doctor signatures, needing time for medical forms (like Tylenol authorization) for camp to administer meds, risking spots in popular camps, missing early bird discounts, and dealing with last-minute stress for both kids and parents.
Make sure you’ve:
- Submitted all required medical forms
- Documented allergies and dietary needs (Name Bubbles allergy labels and stickers also help keep your child's needs front and center)
- Reviewed medication instructions and policies
- Confirmed emergency contacts are current
Parenting is already full of curveballs and busy schedules. Getting camp paperwork completed earlier rather than later helps families get ahead of any roadblocks and stress. Bonus tip: Keeping digital copies on hand can also be helpful once camp is underway!
3. Prepare Medications & Health Essentials
If your child takes medication, camp can feel like a big leap, especially if you’ve always managed it at home. Walking through the process together helps kids feel confident and reassured about what to expect.
Before camp begins:
- Review the camp’s medication drop-off process
- Ensure medications are clearly labeled and packaged correctly
- Talk through when and how your child can ask for help
- Discuss what to do if they feel unwell
Getting medical documents and health essentials squared away in advance ensures a more seamless and less stressful summer camp experience.
To prepare meds for camp, provide all prescriptions in original bottles to the camp nurse, complete all health forms accurately, and include necessary over-the-counter (OTC) items not stocked by camp (like specific allergy meds) in original containers, ensuring all are clearly labeled with child's name and dosage, plus pack essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, and a basic first-aid kit for a healthy camp experience
4. Set Communication Expectations Early
One of the hardest adjustments for families is limited communication, especially if this is your first experience with sleepaway camp. Talking about this ahead of time helps manage expectations and prevents unnecessary anxiety once camp starts.
Before drop-off, discuss:
- How often (if at all) you’ll be in touch
- Whether calls, letters, or emails are allowed
- Who initiates communication
- What to do if homesickness pops up
Clear expectations help kids focus on camp and help parents worry less. To set communication expectations before camp, have open talks with your child about when and how you'll connect (letters, calls), what to do if they feel sad (talk to counselors), and reassure them you're there, while also discussing camp rules and positive goals with the camp staff beforehand, establishing their role and your child's needs for a smooth experience. Children deal with the change in communication differently, and patience is a must!
Bonus Tip: It helps to send your child to camp with a comfort item from home. While communication with home isn’t at the forefront, they find comfort in a plush toy, a blanket, or even bedding from home.
5. Talk About What Camp Will Be Like
Camp is full of new routines, people, and independence. Spending time talking through what a typical day might look like can help kids feel more prepared and less overwhelmed. Even kids who have been to camp before sometimes struggle with a sudden change in their daily routine. By talking about what camp days could be like, your child has more confidence when in the setting because it’s at least conceptually familiar.
Helpful topics to cover:
- Cabin life and shared spaces (this is a big one, especially if your child isn’t used to sharing a space with a sibling)
- Daily schedules and activities
- Mealtimes and downtime
- Camp rules and expectations
Even a simple conversation can make camp feel more familiar before it begins. If you live close enough to your child’s camp, drive by and show them the place before the first day. It’s even worth a shot to call the camp ahead of the start date and ask if you and your child can do a walk-through.
Our children are brave, and much of the anxiety comes from the unknown, so by talking and potentially visiting the campus it helps ease a big part of the camp jitters!
6. Support Emotional Readiness
It’s normal for kids to feel excited and nervous at the same time, and it’s normal for parents to feel that way too, especially if this is the first camp experience. Letting your child know that missing home doesn’t mean camp isn’t going well can be incredibly reassuring and help give your child the confidence they need to get the very best out of camp!
Before camp:
- Normalize feelings of homesickness
- Remind them that counselors are there to help
- Talk about strategies for tough moments (this is where sending them with a favorite plush or comfort item really helps)
- Reinforce that adjustment takes time
This emotional prep often matters just as much as what’s packed in the bag. The first couple of days may be rocky, and you may get a phone call or two from home, but reassure your camper that home is okay and that you can’t wait to hear about all the fun they had once camp is over!
Bonus Tip: Another way to ease the stress is to make sure your little one has a buddy. Find another family sending their child to the same camp, and it won’t feel so strange or new.
7. Plan Drop-Off (and Pick-Up) Logistics
Drop-off day can (and most likely will) be emotional, and knowing exactly what to expect helps keep things calm and focused. When logistics are sorted ahead of time, you can spend that last moment reassuring your child instead of searching for information.
Confirm and communicate details like:
- Arrival and pick-up times
- Drop-off locations and procedures
- What parents can bring on arrival day
- Any required check-in steps
A smooth drop-off sets a positive tone for the entire camp experience. And as mentioned earlier, if your child’s camp is close enough for a drive-thru or tour, plan a mock drop-off to get them familiar!
8. Send Extra Labels for Camp Keepsakes
Many camps include crafts, awards, or small giveaways that quickly become meaningful keepsakes. These items instantly become cherished mementos, and if they’re lost, it can lead to heartbreak. Sending extra labels gives kids a way to claim new treasures right away.
Extra name labels are helpful for:
- Arts and crafts projects
- Camp awards or certificates
- Group activity items
- Special souvenirs
This small step can prevent disappointment later, especially when something sentimental goes missing. If your child has stickers they can use immediately to label their new treasures, it’s easier to keep track of these irreplaceable items. Believe us - this helps prevent a lot of tears. And nobody wants that!
9. Know What to Do After Drop-Off
Once camp begins, it’s common for both kids and parents to need a short adjustment period. Giving your child space to settle in often helps them gain confidence more quickly. We know it’s difficult, but giving your child space and time to adjust will do wonders for their confidence and independence!
After drop-off:
- Avoid immediate check-ins unless needed
- Trust camp staff to reach out if there’s an issue
- Remember that early nerves usually pass
- Give your child time to find their rhythm
Often, the hardest part is simply letting that adjustment happen. Not only is this a growing step for kids, but it’s a growing moment for parents, too!
Helping You and Your Child Feel Ready for Camp
Preparing you and your child for sleepaway camp isn’t about doing everything perfectly, and no one routine fits all. Rather, it’s about giving them the tools and support they need to succeed on their own, while giving yourself a strategy that helps keep things less stressful.
Using our checklist and other tips will help you prepare for summer camp and will let your little one focus on having fun so they can create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Hopefully, we’ve also prepared you for a bit of separation anxiety, so you are ready to navigate those waters.
Thoughtful preparation, clear expectations, and labeled belongings help set the stage for a positive, memorable experience. For help with the packing side of camp prep, be sure to check out our companion guide: What to Pack for Overnight Camp.
FAQs: Sleepaway Camp Prep for Parents & Children
What should parents do before sending a child to sleepaway camp?
Label belongings, complete paperwork (early or in advance; no rushing or last-minute), review medical needs, discuss communication expectations, and help their child feel emotionally prepared before camp begins.
Do parents need to label items for sleepaway camp?
Absolutely! Labeling helps prevent lost items and makes it easier for counselors to return belongings. It also helps ensure your child has what they need when they need it. Bonus: No lost-and-found dives at the end of camp + labeling is a money saver (no more replacing lost gear)! Check out our full line of personalized camp labels and make the summer more organized!
What paperwork is usually required for sleepaway camp?
Most camps require medical forms, emergency contacts, medication instructions, and allergy information. Always check deadlines in advance and submit paperwork early. You may also find that some camps offer early-bird discounts for early paperwork submissions (and who doesn’t love a discount!).
Should parents stay in contact during summer camp?
Follow the camp’s communication guidelines, but as a real-life suggestion: let your child soar and grow. Too much contact can increase homesickness, while occasional check-ins can provide reassurance. Sleepaway camps that last a week+ usually have designated “phone-home” times.
