A new environment, surrounded by new people, being away from home – there are several reasons why it may be difficult for your child to come out of their shell at summer camp. And that’s fine! It’s perfectly normal for your child to experience an adjustment period where they slowly feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. One of the best ways to mitigate this process is to make new friends. So, follow along as we explain a few easy ways for your child to make friends at summer camp.
6 Ways to Make Friends at Summer Camp
1. Just Say Hi
While it may be hard for your child to believe, almost everyone at camp feels nervous, too! Encourage your child not to fear simply saying hello. It’s one of the easiest ways for your child to potentially strike up a conversation and make friends at summer camp.
2. Be Themselves
The most important thing your child should remember is to be themselves! Every child is unique in their own way and they should feel confident in who they are and what they have to offer.
3. Try New Things
Other kids will have different interests compared to your child. So, one way for your little one to make friends at summer camp is to try new things! Whether it’s a sport they had no previous interest in or an activity they don’t think they’ll excel at, reassure your child before leaving for camp that it’s always great to push themselves to try new things and meet new people in the process.
4. Bring a Friend
If your child is especially anxious about making friends at summer camp, consider finding a friend from home to go with them. In an incredibly unfamiliar setting, having a familiar friend from home will not only ensure your child has a friend at camp, but it’s likely to give them a boost of confidence to explore other friendships, too.
5. Ask Questions
The best way for your child to learn more about people is to ask questions! Not only will it create conversation, but your child may discover he or she has things in common with other people – which can lead to new camp friendships!
6. Just Relax
The number one thing to remember when it comes to making new friends at summer camp is to just relax. For many children, camp is their first time away from home and few kids know how to best approach others in a new environment. Almost every other child is new to the scenario, too. So, just remind your child to let loose, have fun, and make the most of their time away from home.