My son was also worried about this when he first went to camp (although he was younger than 14), and had planned to skip swimming in order to avoid the changing situation. However, it worked out fine because it turned out that all of the boys felt the same way and formed a sort of unspoken agreement (or maybe spoken, I'm not sure) that everyone would mind his own business and not look around. That's apparently been the case in all the camps and overnight activities over the years. Boys are more modest than TV and movies would suggest.

My younger DD 11 is going to camp for the first time this summer and she is also a bit nervous about this. Not just the nudity part but also the managing her stuff part. Her older sister has gone to this same camp so we have good intel on the layout, though. As a PP mentioned, in a modernized camp, the layout might be way more private than what you imagine from the 80s. This camp has stalls w/ stall doors, then area w/ hooks and little bench, then curtain into actual shower. All changing happens in the outer area. and hook to hang old clothes/new clothes/towel.

I'd ask the camp director to send you a picture of the shower general areas and then I'd help your child (or just let him) come up with his action plan. Possibly practice the logistics at your health club or pool or anywhere that has a similar vibe (or pretend at home) so he gets comfortable with the steps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do gym suits exist in middle school and high school? Don't you have to change into them for phys ed?

At my kids middle and high schools they no longer change for gym. Except swimming.

My middle schooler does for gym. They went back to gym uniforms this year. Apparently they couldn’t handle the middle school stench. It’s no biggie.

I honestly cannot believe this is even something to crowd source. He is 14! The showers are in the cabin. The bathroom stalls are in the cabin. Those details right there tell you some element of privacy, all within his cabin is available. He is old enough to figure out how to walk the few feet to his cabin shower or bathroom stall without exposing himself more than he is comfortable with.

Just wear swim shorts in the shower. Easy solution. Lots of kids wear bathing suits in the shower when they are a pool or camp or showering after an ocean swim.

Anonymous wrote:Do gym suits exist in middle school and high school? Don't you have to change into them for phys ed?

At my kids middle and high schools they no longer change for gym. Except swimming.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No advice except this is his hill to conquer. Every 14 year old boy has to figure it out. No one likes it. Some boys will wear their underwear in the shower so he can pack extra for that purpose.

This. He's just going to have to figure it out. Especially if he plans on playing sports in high school.

Nobody showers at school anymore after sports. I don’t think kids are allowed to.

My kid does. He’s in wrestling and they’re supposed to shower after before school practice.

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Anonymous wrote:He will have to get over. This is part of camp life. Especially for boys.

-1

He doesn't have to get over anything. Every problem has a solution.

At least the showers are separate. Just send him with a terrycloth robe. Not hard

Did you read the OP? She specifically said she suggested that to him and he said he was uncomfortable even with that

I did read and just reread the OP.
She didn't mention a robe, just a towel which even I would be uncomfortable with.

You’d be uncomfortable walking to the shower with a towel wrapped totally around you?

Yes, it doesn't feel as secure. Maybe because it isn't

Wow, life must be hard for you

It really isn't

I ask for what I want and make accommodation for my comfort.

And no way am I going to be naked around strangers or allow my kids to be in this age if cell phone cameras and kids not being taught basic civility to others by there parents

And most parents I know feel the same.

Wearing a towel around yourself to the shower should be more than adequate to keep covered. Maybe not you if you are very large. But a 14 yr old is absolutely able to wrap a towel around themselves and walk to the shower. This isn’t rocket science.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He will have to get over. This is part of camp life. Especially for boys.

-1

He doesn't have to get over anything. Every problem has a solution.

At least the showers are separate. Just send him with a terrycloth robe. Not hard

Did you read the OP? She specifically said she suggested that to him and he said he was uncomfortable even with that

I did read and just reread the OP.
She didn't mention a robe, just a towel which even I would be uncomfortable with.

You’d be uncomfortable walking to the shower with a towel wrapped totally around you?

Yes, it doesn't feel as secure. Maybe because it isn't

what drives this fear of nudity as an adult?

I'm a 50 year old mom and I honestly don't give 2 craps if a group of people see a glimpse of me naked. It's just a human body, no?

Do you not at all remember being a teen?

Yes I do. And we showered full nude in those multi head showers with no curtains or stalls. No one cared and if they did, they just got over it.

This kid has a shower IN HIS CABIN with its own stall and curtain. He won’t even walk the 10’ft to the shower with a towel on. I’d offer to get him a towel robe, but that’s about it. He can figure this out or get over it.

Sounds like crap, sorry

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He will have to get over. This is part of camp life. Especially for boys.

-1

He doesn't have to get over anything. Every problem has a solution.

At least the showers are separate. Just send him with a terrycloth robe. Not hard

Did you read the OP? She specifically said she suggested that to him and he said he was uncomfortable even with that

I did read and just reread the OP.
She didn't mention a robe, just a towel which even I would be uncomfortable with.

You’d be uncomfortable walking to the shower with a towel wrapped totally around you?

Yes, it doesn't feel as secure. Maybe because it isn't

Wow, life must be hard for you

It really isn't

I ask for what I want and make accommodation for my comfort.

And no way am I going to be naked around strangers or allow my kids to be in this age if cell phone cameras and kids not being taught basic civility to others by there parents

And most parents I know feel the same.

Does the camp offer a video of their facilities? I would get some intel on the shower situation, then ask your son if he wants to attend. If he declines, maybe next year. Another thought: Can your husband offer some advice on the changing without showing body parts?

Anonymous wrote:Do gym suits exist in middle school and high school? Don't you have to change into them for phys ed?

Honest question: what is a gym suit? I don’t think I had one as a kid or that my kid does. Do you mean like a gym uniform?

Anonymous wrote:Do gym suits exist in middle school and high school? Don't you have to change into them for phys ed?

The school does not provide clothes for the kids to change into. They have to bring their own gym clothes and change in a locker room in front of everyone. I was obese in high school and it was a very painful memory for me, so I completely get where OP's son is coming from.

Do gym suits exist in middle school and high school? Don't you have to change into them for phys ed?

Have him find out what the showers are like directly from the camp. He can email someone, right? He can shower in swim trunks regardless.