4 ways to avoid summer camp scaries with a vision board

Summer camp is a time of excitement, adventure and experiences. As a parent, my summer camp memories from childhood conjure up warm, fun and funny moments that have become stories I’ve shared with my kids over the years.   

But what happens when your child is a little tense or stressed about going to summer camp? 

Whether your child is attending a sleep away camp or a local day camp, creating a vision board is a fun and effective way to reduce stress about venturing to a place, or space, they’re unfamiliar with or have trepidations about—even if they’ve been to summer camp before.

Vision boards are an incredible tool. They help us align our goals with what we’re working to achieve by creating a visual roadmap to our success. We activate parts of our brain that enhance and increase memory, imagination, focus and cognitive recall. Viewing your board daily instills the images in your mind and creates a platform for them to be seen in the real world. Here’s how vision boards can help your kids have the best summer camp experience.

Vision boards can help your kids have the best summer ever 

Creating a summer camp vision board—or a visual bucket list—can capture the kind of summer camp experience your child will look forward to and cherish for years to come. It also provides an opportunity to engage with your child before they head off to camp.

Reflect on the kind of experience they want to have 

Whether it’s meeting new friends, making crafts or learning new skills, choosing inspiring, descriptive and motivational words and images for their board will help kids align and associate their chosen words with the kind of experience they want to have. When children can visualize an environment that is inviting and welcoming, it provides them with a certain level of comfort ahead of actually experiencing the moment itself—and it sets them up for success. 

Reduce the stress of the unknown 

Selecting images that represent the activities, landscapes and fun adventures they’re going to  engage in can reduce stress and alleviate the anxiety of the “what-ifs” and the fear of the unknown. The images they select can help calm their nerves about what to expect throughout their time at camp. Whether it’s learning to play tennis, swim or ride a horse, selecting images that represent what they would like to accomplish while they’re away for the day, the week or the month gives them something to anticipate in a positive way.

Allows them to  mentally prepare and get organized 

From clothing to toiletries to their favorite stuffy—helping your child get organized before they head off to camp is a huge stress reliever both for them and you! Write or print out a checklist of everything they will need so they are worry-free about forgetting something. Picking out a few images that represent some of their must-haves provides comfort and reminds them they’ve got this. Allowing them to take their board with them, if attending an overnight camp, so they can review it daily keeps them in alignment with their goals and keeps them mentally organized. 

It’s a fun and memorable activity

Making a vision board is a fun, engaging and action-driven activity that allows your kids to express themselves and lean into their imagination. Before your kids head off to camp this summer, make a vision board with them to get them excited and anticipate positive feelings about their camp experience. It allows your child to set some positive intentions and thoughts around the experience they’re hoping to have so that they can turn it into reality. 

Creating a vision board

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to pump up your kids ahead of their summer camp, grab some magazines or stickers, a pair of scissors, a glue stick, and a firm piece of poster board or cardboard and guide them through some of the things they might experience while away they’re away.

Don’t have any magazines? Print out words or images online for your board. Not sure how to guide your child through the process? Snag a copy of my workbook, Creating a Vision Board, and use it as a resource for helping your child create a wonderful and memorable summer camp experience.