MiraVista Chief Nursing Officer Helps Children Build Confidence for Summer Camp

HOLYOKE — For many children, summer camp is filled with adventure, new friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. But for others, it may also be their first experience spending time away from home — a milestone that can bring both excitement and understandable anxiety.

According to Karyn Rossacci, chief Nursing officer for MiraVista Behavioral Health Center and TaraVista Behavioral Health Center — and a parent herself — those nervous feelings are not something to fear. In fact, they can become an important part of a child’s emotional growth.

“Summer camp gives children the opportunity to discover something incredibly important,” she said. “They learn that they can try something unfamiliar, experience uncertainty, and come through it stronger on the other side.”

Rossacci encourages parents and caregivers to resist the temptation to eliminate every anxious feeling before camp begins. “Our goal isn’t to eliminate every anxious feeling. It’s to help children discover they can move through those feelings with confidence, knowing they’re capable, resilient, and never alone.”

Instead, she recommends helping children prepare for the experience while reinforcing their growing independence. Among her suggestions:

• Talk about camp with excitement, focusing on the friendships, activities, and experiences they’ll enjoy.

• Practice independence before camp through sleepovers with grandparents or relatives, day trips with trusted adults, or encouraging children to make age-appropriate decisions on their own.

• Normalize anxious feelings by reminding children that feeling nervous doesn’t mean they aren’t ready; it simply means they’re doing something new.

• Pack a small reminder of home, such as a favorite stuffed animal, family photo, or handwritten note.

• Keep goodbyes warm, loving, and brief. Children often take emotional cues from the adults around them, and a calm farewell communicates confidence in their ability to succeed.

• Celebrate courage when camp is over. Whether they conquered the climbing wall, made a new friend, or simply spent their first night away from home, recognize the bravery it took to try something unfamiliar.

“Growing up isn’t about never feeling anxious,” Rossacci said. “It’s about learning that we can face those feelings, ask for support when we need it, and discover we’re stronger than we thought.”

While some pre-camp jitters are a normal part of childhood, she noted that trusted adult caregivers should pay attention if anxiety becomes persistent or overwhelming, or begins interfering with a child’s daily life. In those cases, conversations with a pediatrician or mental health professional can provide additional guidance and support.

“As parents, we naturally want to protect our children from discomfort,” Rossacci added. “But some of life’s greatest confidence comes from discovering that we can do hard things. Camp often becomes one of those experiences children remember for the rest of their lives — not because they were never nervous, but because they found the courage to keep going.”