Both of my kids went the summer before 5th grade which seemed like a good time. FWIW, DS did not like the experience and hasn't done sleep-away again while DD went to a different camp and absolutely loved it and now goes for 2 weeks each summer.

A lot of this depends if you come from a "camp culture." I grew up in Connecticut and it was very common to leave for the entire 8 weeks of summer at age 8. People who are not from a similar culture think thats insane and our parents must not have loved us and wanted us to get molested.

I used to work at a summer camp that started kids with one-week sessions at 6, and then most of those kids came back for two-week sessions the year they turned 7 and were doing month-long sessions by 8 or 9.

Some of this is cultural. In some countries, it is very normal to send kids away for much of the summer, either to a summer camp or grandparents' house. Within the United States, Jewish summer camps have a robust and lengthy history and often start pretty young.

Our 8 year old DD went to gymnastics camp for a week and loved it. Her team goes each year, so not only was she with her friends, the older girls from the gym (all the little ones idolize the 'big girls") were there as well. DD is a very independent kid anyway, but I do think having some people she knew there probably helped make it even easier to be away for a week. She can't wait to go back this summer.

Anonymous wrote:DS was ready at 8. DD was ready at 7. Each started with a one week session. The following summer's they went to weeks. Both loved it. If they didn't they wouldn't of gone. You have to know your kids.

of=have

Our son has been begging to go since he first learned such a thing existed at age 6. He is going for the first time this summer, when he will be turning 9.