The Best Age for Summer Camp
A few weeks into summer and it becomes clear – you’re ready for your child to go to camp. But is your child the right age?
Summer’s unstructured days provide valuable time for memory-making and a break from the rush of the school year. But kids also grow from opportunities to test their independence, exercise their brains and bodies, form friendships and try new activities. And sometimes parents just need child-free time for their own projects at work or home.
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If you’re wondering whether your preschooler is too young for camp, or if your teen is too cool to have fun, the answer is the same. Any age can benefit from attending summer camp. Here are some of the advantages for different grade levels:
Prekindergarten
Summer camp offers a wonderful chance for 3- and 4-year-olds to try out school life. A week or more of day camp can help students work on separation anxiety, make friends, learn to play well with others and follow classroom rules. They also have a ton of fun!
In Pre-Rec at Corbett Prep’s CAMP IDS, students enjoy an experience specifically designed for early childhood, with fun and educational centers, story time, craft projects, music and indoor and outdoor play.
Early Elementary
By the time kids reach kindergarten, they are ready to explore. The early elementary years are the perfect time for students to try new activities or dive into their hobbies. Maybe they have shown an interest in flag football, martial arts or dance.
Camp is a short commitment, making it a good trial run before committing to a team or signing up for lessons. Camps that tie into Legos, Disney, American Girl dolls or other popular themes make the days fly by for students who can immerse themselves in their favorite books, movies or pastimes – and free up hours for parents during the week.
Intermediate
Third through fifth graders are generally at a more independent (and more opinionated) stage than the younger campers. Some want to cook and bake all day and sign up for CAMP IDS’ popular Cooking and Bake It-Take It camps, where they make meals in the morning and delicious desserts in the afternoon.
At CAMP IDS, parents and students can design a perfect camp week by combining two half-day camps that balance one another. Pair a basketball or soccer camp in the morning with an afternoon of Minecraft or robotics. Or learn what it takes to be a veterinarian for half of the day and then jump into a water balloon fight or kickball game after lunch.
Middle school
Although middle school students may resist getting up in the morning, they’re soon smiling in summer camps that keep them active and engaged all day. They may enjoy a full-day field trip camp packed with adventures with their friends.
Aspiring actors live out their Broadway dreams during a week of rehearsals and performances in musical theatre camps. Half-day camps appeal to students who enjoy variety.
Gaga ball, comic book design, song writing, babysitting, virtual reality and sports-performance training are just some of the CAMP IDS options that allow older students to hone their skills or pursue a new interest.
What about high school students?
While the camps at CAMP IDS are for middle school and younger, many high school students return as volunteers or counselors! They love coming back to favorite camps and reuniting with friends, and they make excellent mentors to the current campers.
Check out camp listings online to find the right fit for your children, whether they are new to a school setting or seasoned campers. Summer camp is a special experience for all ages.
*Presented by Corbett Prep | Originally published in the March 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.