Letting Go: Peace in the Separation

Sending your child off to summer camp—especially for a full week of overnight camp—can feel daunting. It’s not just your child who may be nervous; as a parent, your heart may tug a little at the idea of being apart. That’s completely normal. But this temporary separation can also be one of the most meaningful gifts you give your child—a step toward becoming the person God created them to be.

The most important thing to remember is this: you’re not sending them into the unknown or into an unsafe place. You’re sending them into a setting designed to grow their independence, deepen their faith, and strengthen their sense of security. Camp offers far more than games and s’mores—it offers the space to learn life-giving skills, build resilience, and experience community rooted in truth, grace, and love.

As you prepare for this time apart, we encourage you to pause and bring any worries, nervousness, or fear to the Lord. He sees you, and He hears you. The same God who is present with you in your everyday parenting is the One who will be faithfully present with your child at camp. Ask Him for peace to settle your heart, and for His presence to remain constant in your child’s life while they’re away.

It also helps to set a positive tone at home in the days leading up to camp. Talk often and enthusiastically about the fun they’ll have, the new friends they’ll make, and the adventures ahead. Keep reminding them that God will be with them every step of the way. Kids are incredibly perceptive—they can sense when we’re feeling uncertain. If they pick up on your hesitation or anxiety, it can make their own transition to camp much harder. Your confidence and encouragement will go a long way in helping them feel secure and excited about the experience.

The absolute most important thing you can do, though, is pray—not just for your own child, but for every camper, counselor, and staff member who will be part of the camp experience. Prayer is the most powerful way to stay connected to what God is doing in and through camp, even when you’re not physically present.

 Praying with Purpose

Here are some practical ways you can pray in the days leading up to and during camp:

• Pray for your child—that they would step into new experiences with courage, form meaningful friendships, and encounter God in a personal and powerful way.

• Pray for their cabin group—for unity, kindness, and a spirit of belonging, even among kids who are very different from one another.

• Pray for the camp staff—that counselors, leaders, and support staff would be filled with energy, wisdom, and patience as they model Christ's love in every moment.

• Pray for resilience and growth—that any challenges, homesickness, or conflict would become opportunities for your child to grow in confidence and character.

• Pray for spiritual fruit—that the truths your child hears and the experiences they have would plant deep roots of faith that last long beyond camp.

• Pray for safety and protection—over every camper and leader, both physically and emotionally, throughout the entire week.

Final Thought

Letting go can be hard—but as a parent, you are never letting go alone. As you release your child into this week of camp, you can do so with confidence, knowing that God goes before them, stands beside them, and remains with them. Through your prayers, your encouragement, and your trust, you’re helping lay a foundation for your child to grow in faith, friendship, and resilience.

This time apart will stretch both of you, but it also creates space for God to do something wonderful in each of your lives. As you keep Him at the center, He will give you exactly what you need, when you need it—and He will remain faithful through it all. Remember, you are trusting the One who loves your child even more deeply than you do. Camp is more than just a week away—it’s a week filled with the potential for a life-changing experience your child will never forget and will carry with them for years to come.