Guide Summer Camp 101: How to Avoid Puberty Panic

WRITTEN BY KYLIE BACHICH

Summer camp for some is splashing in a lake, whispering in bunk beds, hazy campfire smoke and crushing HARD on the boys’ cabin counselor. For others, it is exchanging panicked glances during ghost stories by flashlight and begging to call mom for fear of dying of homesickness. Wherever you may fall on this spectrum, the idea of the great American summer camp is as pervasive as it is romantic in our notions of childhood. Realistically, there’s a whole lot more to the summer camp schema than The Parent Trap would lead us to believe — somewhere between epic prank wars and finding a long-lost twin sister; the good, the bad and the awkward of adolescence was decidedly lost in translation, i.e. puberty.

Puberty is the period in life during which the body is maturing to become capable of reproduction. Some kids start puberty as early as 8, others not until they are 15. With this comes a litany of changes for youth of any gender, both physical and emotional, which can be a source of stress in a new environment such as summer camp. Males, who usually start puberty later could experience voice cracks, spontaneous erections and wet dreams. For females there is no change so anxiously anticipated as menstruation. Menstruation (a.k.a. periods) starts for most youth with uteruses between the ages of 9 and 13. Worst case scenarios of getting your period at summer camp are the fuel of adolescent nightmares everywhere. However, as a trusted adult in your child’s life, there are some steps you can take to ensure they are prepared.

Talk to them about what to expect ahead of time.

• Whether this is your kid’s first or 15th period, talk about what a period is and what they can expect if it happens while at camp. Emphasize that periods are a normal biological process, but it is completely OK to feel embarrassed, scared or unsure about them. Don’t assume your child hasn’t gotten or won’t get their period while away at camp — it usually happens at the most unexpected of times.

• Let them know that they can ask camp counselors, staff or nurses for help. They may feel more comfortable asking female counselors — getting a first period is something that all people with uteruses experience. Camp staff are there as a resource.

Send them prepared.

• There are a wide variety of period products available — pads and pantyliners are the most beginner-friendly. Tampons or menstrual cups/discs are a great option if your child will be swimming at all, though these methods require more in-depth instruction on use. Make sure to send them with sufficient supplies and have a conversation about how to use them.

• If in the backcountry, unscented products are best as to not attract any critters. Toiletries and used period products may have to be stored with food.

Have a plan for sanitarily disposing of period products.

• If your kid’s summer camp has a bathroom available, explain that used products should be thrown away in the sanitary basket or trash (NOT flushed down the toilet).

• If their camp is in the backcountry, have a plan of how to store used period products. You can completely cover a sandwich-sized or bigger Ziploc bag with duct-tape on the outside (standard silver or fun colored/patterned tape will work) to create a discrete “period pouch” that can easily be packed out while leaving no trace.

• While menstruation requires more preparation in terms of packing for sleepaway camp, all youth male or female can expect physical and emotional shifts: growing feet and limbs, pubic and arm hair, body odor, acne, intense emotions, getting crushes and developing a sense of body image. Puberty encompasses a wide array of changes for all kids regardless of gender.

Let’s liken this process of development to the quintessential summer camp craft, the friendship bracelet. From experience, no two friendship bracelets look the same — some are multicolored, some lopsided, some intricate, some simple. Some kids finish their bracelets quickly; some take a little (or a lot) longer. Often, you are comparing your bracelet to everybody else’s. The same goes for puberty –the changes during this time of life show up in different ways for different youth of all bodies. Before sending your kid off to camp –whether it be a new or familiar environment — as a supportive adult, it is important to normalize these changes and remain open as a resource for questions, fears and any conversations in between. For both bracelets and puberty, some of the anxieties of encountering either during summer camp can be eased by knowing what to expect during the process.

For more information on what to expect during puberty, be sure to check out Bridgercare’s Spring Prepping for Puberty Workshops just in time for summer camp season.

Kylie Bachich is an Education Specialist at Bridgercare. She grew up in the Gallatin Valley and is an advocate for comprehensive and inclusive sex education in our community.