How to Get Ready for Overnight Summer Camp
Summer camp is getting closer, which means it’s time to start getting ready for the most memorable weeks of the year. Whether your child is attending Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Overnight Summer Camp for the first time or counting down the days until they return to Camp, a little preparation now can help everyone feel more confident and excited.
At Sierra Nevada Journeys, camp is designed to help kids build curiosity, confidence, independence, and connection to nature through hands-on outdoor experiences. Campers spend their days exploring the Sierra, trying new activities, making friends, and creating the kinds of memories they’ll talk about long after summer ends.
Preparing for camp is about more than packing a suitcase. It’s also about helping your child feel ready for new experiences, outdoor adventures, and a little independence away from home.
Start Talking About Camp Early
For many campers, especially first-time campers, overnight camp may be their first extended time away from home. Start building excitement now by talking about what camp will be like.
Discuss things such as:
Sleeping in cabins with cabinmates
Eating meals together in The Lodge
Outdoor activities and games
Campfires and evening programs
Trying new things
Meeting campers from different communities
Keep the conversation positive and encouraging. Confidence grows when kids know what to expect.
If your child feels nervous, that’s completely normal. Many campers arrive feeling uncertain and leave camp wishing they could stay another week.
Review the Camp Handbook Together
Before camp begins, take time to read through the 2026 Summer Camp Handbook as a family. Reviewing expectations ahead of time helps avoid surprises later.
Pay close attention to:
Packing lists
Medication procedures
Drop-off and pick-up details
Cabin assignments
Camprules and expectations
Electronics policies
Safety procedures
The more familiar your family is with the process, the smoother check-in day will feel.
Practice Independence at Home
Camp gives kids opportunities to build confidence and responsibility. A few small practice routines before camp can make a big difference.
In the weeks leading up to camp, encourage your child to:
Make their own bed
Organize their clothes
Shower independently
Keep track of personal belongings
Help pack their duffel bag
Practice being away from screens and devices
These simple habits help campers feel more comfortable once they arrive at Camp.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Pack
One of the biggest stressors before camp is rushing to pack the night before departure.
Start early instead.
Lay everything out a few days in advance and involve your child in the process. When campers help pack, they’re more likely to recognize their belongings later.
Be sure to clearly label:
Water bottles
Sleeping bags
Clothing
Towels
Flashlights
Toiletry bags
Every summer, Camp ends up with a large collection of forgotten items. Labels help belongings make their way back home.
Pack for Outdoor Adventure
Campers spend most of their time outside exploring forests, trails, ponds, challenge course elements, and activity areas.
That means packing for changing mountain weather and active days is important.
A few essentials include:
Comfortable closed-toe athletic shoes
Layers for cool mornings and evenings
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Reusable water bottle
Rain jacket
Swimsuit
Hat
Flashlight
Daypack
Even during summer, evenings at Camp in Portola can cool down quickly.
Help Your Child Disconnect From Screens
One of the most valuable parts of camp is the chance to unplug.
At Sierra Nevada Journeys, campers spend their days connecting face-to-face instead of through screens. They hike, laugh, explore, play games, and learn outdoors together.
If your child spends a lot of time on devices, consider gradually reducing screen time in the weeks leading up to camp. It can make the transition easier once they arrive.
Many campers are surprised by how much they enjoy being fully present at camp.
Talk About Trying New Things
Camp is filled with opportunities to step outside comfort zones.
Some campers may love the challenge course immediately. Others may discover a passion for archery, kayaking, arts and crafts, science exploration, or hiking. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s participation, curiosity, and confidence-building.
Encourage your child to:
Try at least one new activity
Introduce themselves to someone new
Ask questions
Participate even if something feels unfamiliar
Growth often happens in the moments that feel a little uncertain at first.
Send Them With Encouragement, Not Pressure
One of the best things parents can do before camp is keep the focus on fun, friendship, and discovery instead of performance.
Camp isn’t about being the fastest, bravest, or most outgoing camper. It’s about helping kids develop confidence, resilience, independence, and connection.
Sierra Nevada Journeys’ programs are built around unforgettable experiences that support personal growth, teamwork, and curiosity.
Pre-Order Camp Gear Before Arrival
Want to make camp even more exciting?
Families can pre-order Sierra Nevada Journeys camp gear before camp begins through the online Company Store. Camp sweatshirts, hats, and apparel are a fun way for campers to show their excitement before they arrive and remember their experience long after camp ends.
Camp Memories Last Long After Summer Ends
At Sierra Nevada Journeys, camp is about much more than filling a week of summer vacation. Campers build friendships, confidence, independence, and lifelong memories while exploring the outdoors in meaningful ways.
Many families tell us their child comes home more confident, more curious, and more willing to try new things after just one week at Camp.
That’s the power of outdoor learning, connection, and adventure in the Sierra Nevada.