My Child Is Crying at Summer Camp Drop-Off: What Parents Need to Know
If your child bursts into tears and hangs on to your leg for dear life at summer camp drop-off, take a breath — you’re not the only one!
Separation anxiety at camp is a common concern for first-time and younger campers. Heck, when I was 9 my parents sent me to a tennis camp and I had the same reaction, so we know what it’s like. Kids trying camp for the first time often get emotional when goodbye time comes, even if they were excited all morning.
In our experience, most kids adjust far faster than their parents expect.
Why Kids Cry at Drop-Off
Tears at camp drop-off aren’t a sign something is wrong. They’re a completely normal response to a new environment, new faces, and a temporary goodbye from mom or dad.
Research on childhood separation anxiety shows that kids take emotional cues from their parents. When you look calm and confident, your child is much more likely to feel safe — even if they’re still a little teary.
It’s instinct to stay a little longer when your child is upset. Our experienced camp staff have seen this pattern play out for almost 2 decades: longer goodbyes usually (unintentionally) increase anxiety and reinforce their fears.
A short, warm, confident goodbye gives them the space to start adjusting, connect with their coaches, make new friends, and ultimately get swept up in the fun.
Here’s the BaxterSports Playbook to Help Your Child Adjust to Summer Camp
1 – Keep the goodbye short and sweet A simple routine works wonders:
- Give a big hug
- Say “I’ll see you later — have the best day!”
- Leave confidently
2 – Skip the lengthy reassurances, the “one more hug,” and the looking-back-from-the-parking-lot. (We see you. 😊)
3 – Project calm, even if you don’t feel it. Kids borrow confidence from the adults they trust most. A relaxed, positive attitude from you goes a long way.
4 – Trust the coaches Camp staff work with anxious and homesick kids every single summer. They know how to redirect, comfort, and get kids engaged — usually within minutes.
5 – Celebrate every successful drop-off. Each time your child works through that hard goodbye, they’re learning something powerful: I can do hard things. That’s the kind of resilience, independence, and confidence that lasts well beyond summer.
A Note for Every Mom & Dad Reading This
Those tears at drop-off don’t tell the story of your child’s day. Some of the kids who cry the hardest at goodbye end up having the most incredible summers.By keeping your goodbye calm and confident — and trusting the process — you’re giving your child exactly what they need to grow.
See you on the field!
Coach Brian and the BaxterSports Crew
