How to Trust, Breathe, and Enjoy the Time Away
You did it. The duffels are packed, the name labels are (mostly) still stuck on, and you’ve officially dropped your kids off at camp. Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the fifth. Either way, there’s a unique mix of pride, nervousness, and a strange kind of silence that follows you home.
So… now what?
Here’s the thing: while your camper is off swimming in the lake, learning Israeli dances, trying new foods, and forming friendships that may last a lifetime—you have your own journey to take. Time at camp isn’t just for kids, it’s for parents too. It’s an opportunity to let go, just a little, and allow them to grow in ways that only happen when they’re away from home. Here are a five gentle reminders to guide you through these next few days, weeks, or months.
1. Trust the Process
Ramah Darom is built on decades of experience, thoughtful programming, and teams of trained professionals dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment. Your camper is surrounded by caring staff, structured routines, and peers going through the same new adventures. It might feel strange to not know every detail of their day—but that’s part of the magic. Camp is a space where your child can discover who they are beyond the structure of family life. Trust that process.
2. Resist the Urge to Micro-Manage
We know—it’s tempting to analyze every blurry photo in the online gallery. Are they smiling enough? Why aren’t they in more pictures? Do they look tired? Happy? Homesick? Here’s the truth: photo galleries only tell a sliver of the story, and no news is usually good news. Trust that if something important comes up, you’ll hear from the camp directly. Let the photos be a window, not a magnifying glass.
3. Celebrate the Pause
Your child isn’t the only one gaining something from this experience. You are too. Camp gives you a chance to pause. To exhale. To spend your evenings without the bedtime routine. To reconnect with your partner. To go out with friends. To binge that show. To clean out the closet or take a nap—or do absolutely nothing without guilt. You’ve earned it. This is your time too.
4. Write, Don’t Worry
Sending letters is a great way to stay connected. Keep them light and encouraging—ask questions, share silly stories, and avoid anything that might trigger homesickness (no “we miss you so much it hurts!”). Remember, your camper is in the thick of it—building independence, navigating friendships, and learning resilience. Your words can be a comforting breeze, not a gust of emotion. Read “The Magic of Camp Letters“.
5. Let Them Have This Experience for Themselves
One of the greatest gifts of camp is that it’s their world. You might never know the full story of their inside jokes, epic hikes, bunk traditions, or late-night whispers. That’s okay. It’s not a gap—it’s growth. When your camper returns home, they’ll be filled with stories, songs, and memories they made on their own. Let them own it, and ask them to teach you a few dance moves.