After Camp

Your kid just got home from camp. They're either bouncing off the walls or barely speaking. Either way, the next few days matter more than you think.

The Camp Hangover Is Real

Camp is intense—emotionally, spiritually, physically. Your kid has been surrounded by people 24/7, sleeping in a cabin, having mountain-top experiences. Coming home to regular life feels... flat. This is normal, and how you handle the transition matters.

The First 24 Hours

Here's what to expect and how to handle it:

The Chatterbox

Some kids can't stop talking. Every story, every friend, every funny thing that happened. This is healthy—they're processing.

What to do: Listen. Ask follow-up questions. Resist the urge to redirect to homework or chores.

The Silent One

Other kids go quiet. One-word answers. They seem distant. This doesn't mean something went wrong— it means they had an experience so big they don't have words yet.

What to do: Give them space. Don't push. The stories will come out over days and weeks.

The Exhausted Mess

They're physically wrecked. Camps don't prioritize sleep, and the emotional intensity is draining.

What to do: Let them sleep. Don't schedule activities for the first day or two.

Questions That Actually Work

"How was camp?" gets you "good." Try these instead:

Ask about specifics:

  • • "What was your favorite thing you ate?"
  • • "Tell me about your cabin mates."
  • • "What was the funniest thing that happened?"
  • • "Was there anything scary or hard?"
  • • "What do you wish you could do again?"

Ask about growth:

  • • "Did you try anything new?"
  • • "Who was the most interesting person you met?"
  • • "Was there a moment you felt proud of yourself?"
  • • "What did you learn about yourself?"
  • • "Did God feel close to you at any point?"

Pro tip: Ask these questions spread out over days, not all at once in the car ride home.

The "Post-Camp Blues" (And What To Do)

Don't be surprised if, a few days after coming home, your kid seems sad or irritable. This is so common it has a name: post-camp blues.

Why it happens:

  • • Camp was exciting; home feels boring
  • • They miss their camp friends intensely
  • • The "spiritual high" fades in regular life
  • • They've changed, but home hasn't

What helps:

  • • Help them stay connected with camp friends (texts, calls)
  • • Acknowledge the feeling: "It makes sense that you miss it"
  • • Create some structure—an unscheduled week can feel aimless
  • • Start talking about next summer (something to look forward to)

When They Come Home "On Fire" Spiritually

Many kids have significant spiritual experiences at camp. They might come home talking about God in new ways, wanting to read the Bible, or with commitments they made at a campfire service. Here's how to nurture that without smothering it:

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Take it seriously

Don't dismiss camp decisions as just "emotion." Spiritual experiences at that age can be foundational.

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Provide resources without pushing

If they want to read the Bible, get them one they can understand. Offer, don't mandate.

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Connect them to a youth group

Camp faith needs community to survive. Help them find Christian peers at home.

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Don't panic if the fire fades

The intensity won't last at the same level—that's normal. Seeds planted at camp often grow slowly.

The Practical Stuff

1

Unpack immediately

Waiting a week means stinky clothes and lost items become permanent problems.

2

Wash everything

Even things that look clean. Trust us.

3

Check for camp property

Sometimes camp towels or gear ends up in the wrong bag. Return it.

4

Write thank-you notes

To their counselor especially. It means more than you know.

5

Look at camp photos together

Many camps post photos online. This helps process memories.

6

Save mementos

That friendship bracelet, the cabin photo, the camp t-shirt. They matter.

They're Already Talking About Next Summer

If your kid comes home begging to go back next year, that's the best possible outcome. Here's what to do:

  • Don't commit immediately—but don't shut it down either. "Let's look at it together in the fall."
  • Get on the camp's email list. Many camps offer early registration discounts.
  • Ask about bringing a friend. Camp with a friend can be even better.
  • Consider a longer session. If they thrived, maybe they're ready for two weeks.

The Long Game

The impact of a good camp experience shows up over years, not days. Kids who attend camp regularly tend to be more confident, more resilient, and more connected to faith communities as adults.

Your job right now isn't to make the experience last forever—it's to help them hold onto what mattered most and start dreaming about going back.

Planning for Next Summer?

It's never too early to start researching camps for next year.

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