You made it! It’s been a week or two since your camper left, the house is a little quieter, and now it’s time for that long-awaited first phone call. You’re excited. Maybe a little nervous. And that’s totally normal – because first calls can be tricky.
Even the happiest, most well-adjusted campers can get emotional when they hear a parent’s voice for the first time in days. So, let’s talk about how to make this call the best it can be – for you and your camper.
I remember touring camps about a decade ago, and one Director told me I’d get one phone call with my son. ONE. I thought he was joking. How could I survive an entire summer with just one call?! (Spoiler alert: That anxiety was more about me than him.) Years later, now that my son’s done with camp, I kind of think that Director was a genius. I lived through summers with two or three calls – some of them were lovely, some were like pulling teeth. Looking back, we probably could’ve survived on one.
Then there was this gem: My son’s first-ever call lasted exactly 16 seconds. He picked up, said “Hi Mom, I don’t want to miss anything, camp is so fun – bye!” and hung up. That was it. Ten minutes allotted… gone in under twenty seconds. And guess what? He was fine. I was not. But thankfully, the amazing Assistant Director (now Director!) gave us a second call – not because he needed it, but because I did.
Then there was my daughter, who treated calls like board meetings. She ran the agenda, asked the questions, and left little room for us to get a word in. She always sounded great – but looking back, I realize that was probably her way of steering the conversation away from anything she didn’t want to share or answer. Feels very on brand.
Now, many years and many calls later, here are my best tips to help your camper’s first call go smoothly:
1. If you can choose the time – aim for earlier in the day.
It’s easier for kids to bounce back into the camp routine after a call when there’s still a full day of fun ahead. Talking right before bed can lead to emotional overthinking (for you and them).
2. Prepare for one-word answers.
Most kids aren’t exactly pros at phone convos. Be patient and stay upbeat – they’ll follow your lead. Positivity is contagious.
3. Come armed with questions.
Open-ended questions work best. A few to try:
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Who sleeps near you?
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What are your counselors’ names?
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Have you tried any new activities?
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What did you make in cooking? Did you try it?
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Favorite meal so far?
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Any new friends? Where are they from?
And yes – of course ask about waterskiing. Everyone does.
4. Normalize homesickness.
If your child says they miss you, reassure them that it’s okay to feel that way and still have fun. Let them know their counselors and division leaders are always there for support.
5. Know the staff is right there.
After the call, someone from camp is always nearby to help transition your child back into the flow of camp. Even after an emotional call, they know exactly how to help.
6. Don’t hesitate to check in.
If your camper says something that leaves you wondering, it’s okay to follow up with a note or call to the camp. You chose this camp for a reason – trust the partnership. After my 16-second call, I most definitely sent an email saying I was sure he was fine… but I still missed the other 9 minutes and 44 seconds of hearing his voice.
7. End with pride.
Remind your camper how proud you are of them. Being away from home is a huge step in their journey into who they are becoming – and hearing your encouragement will go a long way.
Good luck!
About the contributor:
Julie Kaiden is our Director of Details and the voice behind our social media. Fun fact: she never to sleepaway camp herself – but we let that slide. Her son completed his full camp journey and is now off on a teen tour with West Coast Connection and her daughter is in her 7th summer at Camp IHC. As of publishing this blog, she still has not had her first phone call of this summer.