All over the United States, sleepaway camps provide kids with many opportunities to establish independence, create genuine friendships, and flourish on a personal level away from the distractions of everyday life at home.
Every summer, thousands of children leave their homes to spend several weeks at sleepaway camps. Although some kids at first feel intimidated by this experience, many campers, counselors and parents say this amazing experience helps children grow in ways that schools, home life or even extracurricular activities don’t offer.
First, going to camp encourages children to embrace independence and personal responsibility. Without kids having constant access to parents, phones, or technology, campers learn how to manage challenges and rely on themselves to make decisions no matter how big or small they might be. Jose Diaz (parent of the author of this article) believes this independence is one of the most valuable outcomes from these camps. “I wanted my child to experience independence and understand what it’s like to live away from home while building friendships without technology or distractions,” said Diaz.
Not being in a familiar environment also enables children to see life from a new perspective. When campers step out of their comfort zones, they learn to adapt to new routines, develop confidence, and become more resilient. Many return home with a stronger sense of maturity and self-assurance.
Eden Snead, a counselor at Camp Crestridge, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. “By going to sleepaway camp, kids practice self-discipline and integrity while stepping outside their comfort zones and learning independence,” said Snead.
Equally important are the friendships formed during the camp experience. Because campers spend long days together hiking, swimming, and participating in activities, they often develop deep emotional connections through shared challenges and accomplishments. “Friendships at camp become strong because campers go through unfamiliar experiences together and rely on each other for support,” said Snead. “After attending camp more than once, it begins to feel like a second home, and friends start to feel like family.”
Snead enjoys watching students grow throughout the summer. “As a counselor, nothing makes me prouder than seeing my camper conquer a fear, whether that’s being the new girl in a friend, group trying a new activity, or taking a leadership role,” she said. “The biggest blessing is when a camper realizes her self-worth and sees how much her friends and counselors truly care about her.”
Similarly, many campers say the friendships they build at camp feel different from those they form at home or school. Luna Villoldo ’29, a camper who attends Camp Matoka in Maine, says the experience has helped her grow in a plethora of ways. “Camp has helped me become more independent and step outside my comfort zone, especially because I’m away from my parents and home,” she said. “I’ve made some of my best friends at camp, and even though we live far apart, those friendships stay strong. Camp shows you that you don’t have to see someone every day to keep a friendship going.”
Annabelle Block ‘29, a camper at Camp Wavus in Maine, agrees. “One of my favorite memories is finishing a long portage with my friends and then spending time together afterward feeling proud of what we accomplished,” she said.
For many campers, the classic summer camp experience leaves a lasting impact that sticks with them far beyond the months of summer.
“If someone was thinking about going to camp, I would tell them to absolutely do it,” said Villoldo. “It was the best decision, and I’m so grateful my parents sent me because it gave me the best experiences and friendships.”
Ultimately, going to camp is more than just a random summer activity. It provides campers with an environment where they can develop a sense of independence, create life-long friendships and develop a confidence that lasts for much longer than just the summer.
Bella Guitian • Apr 28, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Love this article!