Supporting Kids who are Anxious about Camp
It’s May, which means the countdown to summer has officially begun. For many families, that includes the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) prep for sleepaway or day camp. Packing lists, label makers, duffel bags… and, for some kids, a growing knot of anxiety in their stomach.
If you’re noticing that your child is starting to worry about camp—maybe they’re asking a lot of “what if” questions, complaining of tummy aches, or even saying they don’t want to go—it can be hard to know how to respond. Camp brings a lot of newness: new people, new routines, new places to sleep. That can be a thrilling adventure for some kids… and a real source of anxiety for others.
As a parent, it’s natural to want to make things better. You might find yourself offering extra reassurance, agreeing to last-minute changes, or considering whether they should go at all. Those instincts come from a place of deep care—and at the same time, some of the things we do to ease our child’s distress in the moment can unintentionally make anxiety stick around longer.
There’s an approach that helps parents navigate this tricky balance with intention and warmth. It’s called SPACE, and it’s designed to support children with anxiety by working directly with the people who know them best: their parents.
We offer both short-term guidance for new concerns and ongoing individual or group support. Whether your child is away at camp or continuing to face anxiety, we’re here to help you problem-solve and feel supported every step of the way.
What Is SPACE?
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a parent-based treatment developed at the Yale Child Study Center. Unlike most child therapies, SPACE doesn’t require your child to be in the room—instead, it empowers parents to make meaningful shifts that can reduce anxiety and avoidance over time.
One of the central ideas in SPACE is learning how to step back from accommodations—those things we do to help prevent our child’s anxiety from flaring up. For example, maybe you’re finding yourself constantly reassuring your child or reminding them of the fun they had at camp last year or packing extra-large bags of snacks and meals in-case they don’t like the food that’s served, or even saying, “If it’s too hard, we’ll come get you.” These kinds of accommodations are often rooted in love and protection, but over time they can inadvertently send the message: You can’t handle this.
SPACE helps parents replace accommodations with supportive responses—ways of acknowledging your child’s anxiety while also expressing confidence in their ability to manage it. That shift alone can be incredibly powerful!
And importantly, SPACE isn’t just for kids with a diagnosed anxiety disorder. It’s also a great fit for children who are generally managing well but are hitting a bump around camp—or for kids showing early signs of anxiety that you want to address before it becomes more entrenched. Whether your child has longstanding worries or this is the first time you’re seeing anxiety show up in a noticeable way, SPACE gives you a structured, supportive path forward.
Why Now Is a Great Time to Start
If camp is a few weeks or months away, this is an ideal window to begin making small but important changes. We don’t aim to eliminate anxiety altogether—that’s not usually realistic or necessary. Instead, we focus on helping your child build confidence in facing fears, even when they’re nervous.
Whether your child is brand-new to camp or returning after a difficult year, SPACE can give you a framework for offering support that encourages growth and resilience.uraging more independence at bedtime.
Looking Ahead to Summer
Helping your child get to camp (and stay there!) doesn’t mean pushing them past their limits. It means holding steady boundaries with warmth, letting them know their fears are real—and that you believe they can do hard things.
We recently hosted a recorded presentation and Q&A on how SPACE can support families dealing with camp anxiety. If you’d like to dive deeper into the approach and hear answers to common parent questions, you can watch the video here.
If camp anxiety is showing up in your house, we’d be glad to support you. Our team offers SPACE treatment for parents of anxious children, including those with situational or emerging anxiety. You don’t need a diagnosis to take action—just a desire to support your child with confidence and care. We can often provide you with the tools you need in 2 or 3 sessions. You can learn more about our 7-week SPACE groups HERE.
We’re Here for You
Contact Us for more information or to schedule appointments with one of our SPACE-trained therapists. We’d love to help make this summer one of growth, confidence, and a few muddy, joy-filled camp memories.
