How old were you when you went to your first overnight summer camp?

[Rhonwyn]

I was eight when I went to horse camp for 2 weeks. It was the first time I went to camp overnight.

I wanted to send my 8/9 year to a week long camp but I couldn't find any of his friends' parents who would let their kid go to an overnight camp. My kid doesn't want to go without a friend.

Is 8 or 9 too young? It wasn't for me, but maybe I was more independent and secure.

[LunaMom]

I don't think it is too young if the child is comfortable with the idea and you are comfortable with the staff at the camp.

I worked in a camp that had campers as young as 8 staying for a full eight weeks. That does seem to be a bit much, but I was the counselor for the eight and nine year old girls and they had a great time. Don't know if I'd send my own child to a full-summer camp at age eight, but a week sounds reasonable to me.

It's too bad your daughter doesn't want to go without a friend. Can the camp director put you in touch with another camper who your daughter can meet before the camp begins?