But let's face it, kids can be awkward, and summer camps are a veritable melting pot of tiny humans with all sorts of different personalities. To make sure your kid ups their friend count this summer, it helps to know what to expect. Your kid's sure to run into some of these personality types at summer camp, and if they play their cards right, they can become friends with all of them.
The Rebel
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This kid can be a nuisance for the camp counselors but is really just a harmless scamp. They can usually be found scheming up (or pulling off) an epic prank or sneaking out after lights out for a midnight swim.
How to Make Friends: We know what you're thinking: "I don't want my kid consorting with the likes of these kids!" Calm down. Encourage your kid to be a positive influence on the rebel. Maybe they wouldn't be quite so rebellious if they had the right friend.
If This is Your Kid: We're sorry. Enjoy your summer break, but please ask them to take it easy on the counselors this year.
The Introvert
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Introverts will typically stick to themselves and tend to be quiet. Although they may not be particularly gregarious, once you crack that shell, introverts are often some of the most loyal friends around.
How to Make Friends: If your kid sees another camper who doesn't seem to have a lot of friends, encourage them to reach out and get to know them. Your kid can ask them what they're interested in, or invite them to play a game.
If This is Your Kid: Encourage your child to be more outgoing and ask other kids if they want to play. It may be challenging to overcome their shyness initially, but it'll make their camp experience much more enjoyable.
The Extrovert
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If the introvert is shy, the extrovert is anything but. These kids are what you'd call social butterflies. They're comfortable talking to new people and will usually try to make sure everyone is included.
How to Make Friends: Just say "hi." With some extroverts, your kid won't even have to do that much. The extrovert will probably initiate the introduction and things will take off from there.
If This is Your Kid: Then they should have no problem making friends. Just make sure their talkative nature doesn't get them in trouble when they need to be listening to their counselors.
The All-Star
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This is the kid at every camp who's already really good at whatever the camp is for. If it's a sports camp, this kid could already be playing with kids two grades ahead. If it's a STEM camp, this kid has already built their own computer.
How to Make Friends: Instead of feeling frustrated or jealous of the All-Star's abilities, encourage your kid to ask them for advice. Tell them to look at it as an opportunity to learn even more (and make a new friend).
If This is Your Kid: If your child is ahead of their peers in the subject of interest, encourage them to help others understand what they're working on. Alternatively, you could see if they'd like to try learning something new or registering for a more advanced camp.
The Mini Counselor
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Occasionally known as a brown-noser or teacher's pet, this is the kid who's constantly repeating the actual counselor's instructions or trying to keep everyone in line when the counselors aren't around. They often feel they have more responsibility than they actually do.
How to Make Friends: Your kid can offer the mini counselor a chance to have fun and stop trying to babysit the rest of the group. Just let them know that's what the counselors are there for and they should just have fun and be a kid.
If This is Your Kid: You probably love how responsible and helpful your little one is, but those qualities don't always translate so well with their peers. Encourage them to relax and just have a good time.
The Sunburnt Kid
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The sunburn is simply a painful metaphor for how painfully unprepared this kid was for camp. Did they bring their own sunscreen? No. Bug spray? Negative. Midday snacks? Of course not.
How to Make Friends: Sharing is caring, and it's also a great way to make new friends. Tell your kid to let them borrow a dab of sunscreen or a couple bites of their snack. And maybe even some aloe vera if they were a little too late with the sunscreen.
If This is Your Kid: Make a list and check it twice. Then maybe your kid can be the one helping other kids out of a jam this year.
The Hyper Kid
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Not to be confused with the extrovert, this kid is bouncing off the walls with energy (sometimes literally). Whether it's from a sugar high or they just naturally have more energy, this kid can seem like a lot to handle.
How to Make Friends: Perhaps your child can be the chill yin to the hyper kid's yang. Offering to play high-energy games together can help wear them out a little faster while getting in some solid exercise.
If This is Your Kid: Bless your heart. Enjoy your naps this summer!
The Homesick Kid
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At every overnight camp there's guaranteed to be at least one first-timer who starts to miss home at some point. After all, leaving home for an extended period for the first time can be daunting.
How to Make Friends: Just having someone to talk to can make a big difference. Encourage your kid to be sympathetic and to remind them of all the fun stuff there is to do at camp.
If This is Your Kid: A carefully curated care package can go a long way in curing homesickness. Some warm cookies and a favorite toy may be all it takes to make them more comfortable in their new surroundings.
The Veteran
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This ain't this kid's first rodeo. In fact, they've been coming to this camp longer than most of the counselors. They know all the ins and outs of the camp: how to get the best food at lunch, the best activities to sign up for and which cabin has the most comfortable bunk beds.
How to Make Friends: Your kid needs to recognize that this kid is the Yoda of summer camp and hope to be taken under their wing. An offering of some sort doesn't hurt. Perhaps a candy bar or a comic book (do kids still read comic books?).
If This is Your Kid: If your kid genuinely enjoys going to the same camp every summer, then you're golden. But you may want to talk to them and see if they have any interest in a change of scenery or a new challenge.
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