The First Time Away: Helping Your Child Take the Leap

Sending your child on their first overnight camp or adventure trip can feel like a huge step – for both you and them.

Your camper may be excited but nervous. You may feel proud but unsure. And somewhere in the middle of all of that is an important truth: moments like this are often the beginning of tremendous growth for everyone.

At Wilderness Adventures, we’ve worked with thousands of first-time campers over the years. The leap from home to a new environment – new friends, new places, new challenges – is one of the most meaningful experiences a young person can have.

And while it may feel like a big step, it’s exactly the kind of step that helps young people grow into confident, capable adults.

Why This Step Matters

There are certain experiences in childhood that quietly shape who someone becomes. Spending time away from home is one of them.

When kids travel with a group of peers and supportive leaders, they begin to develop:

• Independence: making decisions and managing themselves in a new environment
• Social confidence: forming friendships with people they didn’t already know
• Resilience: learning that they can overcome challenges
• Perspective: seeing new places and different ways of life
• Self-expression: discovering more about who they are without preconceived notions from classmates or peers

These lessons don’t usually happen in a single dramatic moment, they happen slowly over the course of a trip or at camp: around a campfire, during a hike, while laughing with new friends, or after overcoming a moment that once felt intimidating.

How To Know If Your Child Is Ready To Take The Leap

Parents sometimes wonder if their child needs a certain personality or experience level before attending a program like Wilderness Adventures. The truth is, first-time campers don’t need to be expert travelers or outdoor athletes, they don’t need to know anyone else on the trip – what helps them the most is simply approaching this step with the following qualities:

• A genuine interest in taking this step (and your support in doing so). Apprehension is normal, so as parents, we may need to nudge them a bit (read more about this here). 
• Openness to new experiences and a willingness to try new things, even when they may be a bit unsure.
• A generally positive attitude. Kids will have mood swings and have moments of feeling up or down (this is normal!), but they have to be ready to give themselves the opportunity to succeed in trying new things. 

What they don’t need:

• Prior travel experience: Campers do not need to have travelled to these areas before. 
• Outdoor expertise: Our trip leaders will be there to support each camper in learning to live comfortably and successfully in outdoor settings for extended periods of time. 
• A friend to attend with: We believe that it may actually be more empowering for kids to take this step on their own. 
• Zero nerves: In fact, a little nervousness can be a good thing and is often a sign that a young person is about to do something meaningful. Check out Advice For a Nervous Camper, written by a former WA student for some more insight. 

How We Support First-Time Campers at WA

On our trips and at our camps, we put a lot of thought into helping first-time families feel comfortable and supported.

That support begins before the trip even starts. You will receive clear expectations, packing lists, and guidance so everyone feels prepared and knows what to expect.

Once the trip begins, our trip leaders focus on creating a welcoming environment through:

• Small, supportive groups 
• Intentional icebreakers and bonding activities
• One-on-one check-ins with students
• Clear communication and structure

Our goal is simple: to help each student feel seen, supported, and part of the group. But it is not just our staff that work to create a great community for first time kids, it is our returning students as well. We often have alumni students on the same trips with first time students. This is a wonderful way for campers to connect and for new campers to receive additional support. Returning students know that community is everything to us, and are extremely welcoming to new campers. 

A Few Words About Homesickness

Homesickness is one of the most common concerns families have about a first trip.

Here’s the honest truth: homesickness is normal. I remember being homesick on my WA trip, and my trip leaders were there for me in the process. My own children who have participated in WA trips have also been homesick. It’s something that happens (and is very normal) and we work diligently with our staff to minimize its impact.

It is common for young people to feel a mix of excitement and nerves during the first few days away – those emotions can coexist! Sometimes students miss home, but are having a great time. Part of growing up is learning that these feelings will pass, and that they are capable of working through them.

Our trip leaders are trained to support students through those moments. Most of the time, homesickness fades quickly once students settle into activities, friendships, and the rhythm of the trip. For that reason, we don’t immediately call parents at the first sign of homesickness (doing so can also sometimes make it harder for a student to move through the feeling).

Please note: if we believe a situation does require family involvement, we absolutely bring parents into the conversation. No matter the situation, our goal is always the same: helping the student succeed in a safe and supported environment.

The Role You Can Play As A Parent

Parents have an incredibly important role in setting the tone for a first trip! Children often take emotional cues from the adults around them. If parents and guardians project confidence and calm energy, kids tend to feel the same.

Here are a few helpful approaches to consider:

• Speak confidently about the experience ahead and express your confidence in them.
• Frame nervousness as normal and healthy. Your kids will have nerves, and that is okay!
• Avoid saying things like, “if you don’t like it, we’ll come get you.”  Kids will remember this and will call upon this phrase during their homesickness. What they do not realize is that given a little bit of time, they will likely get through it!
• Focus on the opportunity rather than the worry. Camp is meant to be fun, not hard. And it is an exciting opportunity! Help direct attention towards the excitement of the experience.
• Sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can say is simply “you can do this.”

We’ll leave you with this quote from a first-time camper in 2025: 

“I tried something new and although it was hard at first I’m glad I did this because it made me stronger.” – Paige, 2025 WA Student

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, our team is here to help. Get in touch at 307-733-1222 or [email protected]!