This year, 10 million children will tote their sleeping bags to camp. But they may not do much sleeping. For many children, overnight camp is the first time they’ve slept away from their family for more than a night or two. Add an unfamiliar bed, strange nighttime noises, and the overall excitement of camp, and it’s no wonder many kids come home from camp totally exhausted.
So while you’re helping your children pack their bags, take a few extra steps to help them sleep well. With the shut-eye they need, they’ll enjoy all camp has to offer—and return refreshed, happy, and ready to fill you in on all of their adventures.
Pack Some Comfort
Don’t forget to pack Teddy. According to leading pediatrician and author Dr. Harvey Karp, comfort items like special stuffed animals and pillows become particularly important when kids sleep in an unfamiliar place, because they create a soothing sense of security at bedtime. Older kids might appreciate a small framed photo of the family or a note from mom and dad.
Check Nighttime Temps
While you’re checking the daytime weather forecast for their camp destination, make sure to check the nighttime forecast too. Nighttime temperatures may be much lower—or higher—than what your child is used to, particularly if the camp is at a high altitude or if he’ll be sleeping in a cabin or tent. Pack several pairs of pajamas and thick socks for layering.
Prepare for (Bedwetting) Accidents
Around 7 to 10 percent of kids wet the bed at age 8—an age at which many kids are considering their first sleepaway camp experience. If your child is anxious about the possibility of an accident and mortified at the thought of packing disposable training pants, talk to her pediatrician. Pediatric urologist Dr. Steve Hodges says a short-term prescription for a medication like desmopressin, which slows nighttime urine production, can provide a temporary solution for kids at camps and in other circumstances when bedwetting is especially embarrassing.
Send Moonlight Munchies
After an action-packed day at camp, your child may feel her stomach growl just as the counselor announces “Lights out!” If camp rules allow it, pack a few bedtime snacks so kids don’t hit the sack hungry. Whole-grain crackers, granola, cold cereal, and protein bars travel well; tryptophan-rich foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, or soybeans score added sleepy points.
Say No to Noise
A child who is particularly sensitive to noise may find camp’s group-sleeping arrangements (or loud bunk-mates) disconcerting. And strange outdoor sounds can trigger nighttime fears in timid campers. Consider packing earplugs so kids can drift off to sleep in silence.
Home Sleepy Home
No matter what you say or do, kids probably won’t adhere to their regular sleep schedule at camp. “When they return, getting back to the normal routine is important,” says pediatric sleep specialist Dr. Krisztina Harsanyi. It may take a few days to a week to adjust to their regular schedule, so Harsanyi advises postponing sleepovers and trips until after kids have spent some quality time catching up on sleep.
Malia Jacobson is a mom of two who often writes about children and sleep.