Over the past few years, we’ve spoken to many parents of boys who are reticent about sending their sons to camp—much more than daughters.

“He’s a home body,” “He’s just not ready,” “He won’t go without friends” are common refrains. Anecdotally at least, there is more reluctance and anxiety on the part of parents of boys to enroll them in overnight camp.  

Research tells us that boys’ social-emotional development lags behind girls. Boys are less likely to talk about their feelings and more likely to react physically when frustrated or angry, studies show. Parents may worry that their sons lack the coping skills or independence to go to camp.  

But rather than shying away from an overnight experience, they should, more often than not, lean into it.  

Camp is an environment that encourages—er, requires!—boys to exercise their social-emotional muscles and to practice productive ways of coping with conflict and disappointment. It provides them with college-age role models and allows them the space to be themselves.  

At Walden, where boys choose all their own activities, they are free to explore outside a traditional sports-centered path. Our breadth of class offerings exposes boys to options they may have never considered: radio broadcasting,  improv comedy, wilderness skills, fencing and more. And there are still loads of athletics—on land and water—for kids who enjoy the physicality and camaraderie of sport. 

Since 2021, Walden has added a team of social workers to our roster specifically to support kids as they navigate these waters. In 2025, that team will include our first male therapist, alum Simon Ziff. We’ll also welcome back our Boys Side Head, Scottish educator Sandy Neville, for his sixth summer. 

Younger boys, especially, need more opportunities to practice their social-emotional development and permission to pursue their interests. In Walden’s summer neighborhood, boys connect with peers and counselors who enjoy similar activities–be it canoeing, Legos, chess, or soccer–while still learning to navigate different personalities in a safe environment.  

Are most elementary-school-age boys ready for overnight camp? In our experience, yes! Boys very often exceed parental expectations at camp; they just need the chance—and an enthusiastic cheering section—to shine.