With departure dates approaching, now is the perfect time to shift the focus from planning to preparation. A few simple conversations and practical steps can help children feel excited, confident, and ready for the adventure ahead.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Set Expectations Together
Talk with your child about what they are most looking forward to and any concerns they may have. Setting realistic expectations can help them embrace new experiences, friendships, and challenges with confidence.
Understand the Programme
Take some time to review the camp schedule, activities, and daily routines together. Knowing what to expect can build excitement and help children feel more comfortable before they arrive.
Prepare for Independence
Summer camp is often an opportunity for children to develop confidence and self-reliance. Encouraging responsibility at home, from packing to managing personal belongings, can help them feel ready for life away from home.
Plan for a Positive Experience
From packing essentials to discussing communication arrangements, a little preparation goes a long way. For example, agreeing in advance how often you’ll be in touch can help children feel reassured while encouraging them to embrace the camp experience independently.
While every child and every programme is different, these simple preparation steps can help set the stage for a successful summer.
Tailoring your approach for your child and their camp
To show how you can tailor your approach, we’ve highlighted a selection of popular international summer camps and practical ways to help children feel confident, prepared, and ready to make the most of each experience.
Helping your child build confidence with English – As the camp combines English lessons with activities alongside local British children, encourage your child to practise speaking and listening skills through everyday conversations, books, games, or films.
Talking to your child about making new friends – One of the benefits of this programme is the opportunity to mix with both international and local students. Discuss simple ways to introduce themselves, join group activities, and start conversations.
Exploring the activity options together – With more than 40 sports, arts, and adventure activities available, looking through the programme in advance can help your child identify experiences they are excited to try.
Preparing for the daily routine – As this is a day camp, talk through the schedule, travel arrangements, and what a typical day might look like. Knowing what to expect can help younger children feel more comfortable.
Encouraging independence – Small responsibilities such as packing a bag, keeping track of personal belongings, and following instructions can help children feel more confident and prepared for camp life.
Contacting the provider with any questions – If your child has specific learning needs, dietary requirements, medical concerns, or worries about settling in, don’t hesitate to speak directly with the camp organisers before the programme begins. Addressing any concerns early can help ensure a positive experience for both parents and children.
Getting Ready for Academic Insights: Cambridge
Discuss academic goals in advance – This programme is designed for motivated learners, so encourage your child to think about what they hope to gain from studying their chosen subject and what questions they would like to explore during the course.
Brush up on subject knowledge – A little background reading, watching relevant documentaries, or exploring current developments in their chosen field can help students feel more confident when engaging with university-level discussions.
Prepare for independent learning – Small classes and personalised teaching mean students will be expected to contribute ideas, ask questions, and participate actively. Encouraging independent study habits before departure can help them make the most of the experience.
Talk about university life – For many students, this will be their first taste of living and studying in an Oxford or Cambridge college. Discussing routines, shared accommodation, and balancing academic and social activities can help set realistic expectations.
Encourage networking and collaboration – Students will meet ambitious peers from around the world. Remind your child to be open to new friendships, different perspectives, and opportunities to collaborate both inside and outside the classroom.
Contact the provider with any questions – If you would like more information about accommodation, academic expectations, supervision, dietary requirements, travel arrangements, or support services, speak directly with the programme team before arrival.
Clarifying details in advance can help both students and parents feel fully prepared for the experience
And going to America
Getting Ready for Oxbridge in New York
Build confidence in your chosen subject – Before the programme begins, consider doing some light reading or research related to your course. Arriving with a basic understanding of key topics can help students feel more comfortable contributing to discussions from day one.
Familiarise yourself with New York City – Learning a little about the city’s history, culture, and famous landmarks can help students feel more connected to their surroundings and make excursions even more enjoyable.
Prepare for university-style living – Staying in student accommodation is often one of the most exciting parts of the experience. Talking through routines, personal responsibility, and living away from home can help ease any pre-departure nerves.
Practise speaking up and asking questions – Classes are designed to be interactive, with plenty of discussion, debate, and collaboration. Students who feel comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions are likely to get even more from the programme.
Talk openly about any concerns – Whether it’s travelling abroad, meeting new people, or being away from home for several weeks, discussing worries beforehand can help students feel reassured and prepared.
Contact the provider with any questions – If there are concerns about accommodation, airport transfers, dietary requirements, medical needs, safety arrangements, or academic expectations, contacting the programme team before departure can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Not every family will choose one of the programmes featured here, but the same principles apply wherever your child is spending their summer. With departure dates approaching, now is the ideal time to focus on preparation rather than planning.
Talk openly about expectations and concerns – A simple conversation can help children feel more confident about new experiences, friendships, and challenges.
Review the programme together – Understanding the schedule, activities, accommodation, and daily routines can reduce uncertainty and build excitement.
Encourage independence before departure – Giving children responsibility for small tasks at home can help prepare them for camp life.
Help them connect with the destination – Whether it’s a new city, country, or campus, learning more about the location can make the experience feel more familiar.
Prepare for social opportunities – Remind children that many campers will be feeling just as nervous about meeting new people as they are.
Contact the provider if you have concerns – Whether the issue relates to accommodation, supervision, dietary needs, medical requirements, travel arrangements, or homesickness, most providers are happy to answer questions before camp begins.
The goal is not to eliminate every worry but to help children arrive feeling prepared, supported, and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.
