Preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience/ academic enrichment program

Preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience is a bit different at EXPLO. We’re an academic enrichment program, so your student will be able to build connections through shared interests in addition to fun activities. EXPLO’s Overnight program helps students practice independence in a supportive space, adjust to dorm life, and build confidence, social-emotional skills, and lasting friendships.

Key Takeaways:

• Tweens and teens ease into overnight life with daily guidance and group routines
• Staff check-ins help with homesickness, social skills, and confidence
• First-timers practice self-care, problem-solving, and peer communication
• Designed for families looking for guidance on how to prepare child for first overnight camp—with an academic enrichment program lens
• Students leave more independent—and ready for future steps like boarding school or college

What makes the first overnight program so important?

Leaving home is a big deal—especially for middle school aged kids. The right overnight experience teaches them how to manage new routines, solve everyday challenges, and become more self-reliant. EXPLO is unlike other traditional overnight camp experiences. As an academic enrichment program, we help our first-timers do more than survive dorm life—we help them grow into it with curiosity, courage, and connection. They’ll all be trying new things together to find their spark.

Why We Focus on Middle School

What is EXPLO's Overnight program?

EXPLO’s Overnight program is a specially designed experience that helps support students who’ve never lived away from home (as well as those who have). Preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience or academic enrichment program is not all on you. Through guided orientation, supportive staff, and intentional routines, students learn to:

• Navigate living with a roommate
• Follow a daily schedule with meals, activities, and rest
• Take responsibility for hygiene, personal space, and time management
• Reach out for help when needed—and help others, too

Students live in real college dorms with caring Student Advisors (SAs) and group leaders who check in every day. 

What happens on day one?

Right from the start, we are focused on preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience—or academic enrichment program, in this case. Day one is all about comfort and connection:

1. Welcome and orientation with peers and SAs
2. Unpack and settle into rooms with roommate guidance
3. Group tour of campus and key spaces
4. Practice daily routines together (meals, lights out, laundry, etc.)
5. Participate in relaxed evening activities to break the ice

The entire structure is designed to remove guesswork and build confidence from the start.

How does EXPLO support students emotionally?

We know first-time experiences can be emotionally charged—so we build in consistent, compassionate support: 

• SAs check in multiple times a day, help with routines, and offer encouragement
• Social-emotional learning is woven into every aspect of camp life
• Group conversations help normalize homesickness and big feelings
• Optional check-ins give students space to reflect and get reassurance

The result? Kids who may arrive nervous often leave proud—and excited for their next big step.

What will my student gain from their first overnight experience?

Here’s what students (and families) notice after just one session:

• Confidence managing daily routines away from home
• Clear communication skills with peers and adults
• Greater self-reliance and independence
• Lasting friendships built through shared experience
• Excitement for future adventures—boarding school, college, travel, and more

Is this the right program for my child?

Are you searching for “how to prepare child for first overnight camp”? It helps to start with choosing the right residential program—and of course we’d recommend an academic enrichment program over a camp. This richer experience helps your tween or teen fully immerse in new topics, find their spark, and discover shared interests with new people.

For 50 years, EXPLO has created overnight summer programs that allow for adventure, freedom, immersive workshops and electives, and plenty of choices every day. 

EXPLO’s program is designed for students ages 12-14. Many of our students have attended residential programs before, but we also support students who:

• May have never attended an overnight camp
• May feel unsure about living away from home
• Need more practice with routines, self-care, or social skills
• Thrive with encouragement and structure

EXPLO is a customized experience that helps overnight program pros and first-timers both fit right in.

How does EXPLO support parents?

We know it’s not just about preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience or academic enrichment program—it’s about preparing you, too. Sending your child off to an overnight program in Massachusetts for two weeks can be tough! We prioritize communication to help parents deal with the adjustment. This includes:

• Sending photos throughout the program
• Scheduled phone calls home after the first week
• Letters via snail mail or through the parent portal, which we print and deliver. 

And you can always give us a call.  Whether you need help planning how to prepare your child for their first overnight camp, or you’re worried about them during the session, we’re here for you. 

Learn More About Keeping in Touch During EXPLO

We view the EXPLO experience as a partnership, and the best partnerships have the best communication. And remember that preparing your teen for their first overnight camp experience is a little harder than for an academic enrichment camp. Here, they’ll gain independence and find their spark! 

Other helpful links:

Explore EXPLO Programs

Why We Unplug

Preparing for Boarding School

Frequently Asked Questions