Summer camp & sleepaway device prep
What to configure before camp, during, and when your kid comes back. Plus the “no phone” camp alternatives.
Before summer camp or a sleepaway trip
Most sleepaway camps have a no-phone policy. Some overnight camps allow a watch. Day camps vary. This guide is about the “connected camp” cases — travel sports, academic residencies, arts programs where phones are permitted.
Setup checklist
- Screen Time “Camp mode” — on iOS, create a Focus mode with tightened App Limits for camp weeks only.
- Location sharing with parent for the duration.
- Find My / Family Link confirmed working.
- Battery pack in the bag.
- Emergency contacts in the phone: parents, camp office, hotel/accommodations.
- Apple Cash Family / Google Wallet for emergency purchases; lock other payment methods.
- Review social-media activity — kids at camp often over-share location. Turn off Snap Maps, Instagram live location, and location in photos.
Photo & video rules
- No photos of other kids without their parents’ permission (camp usually has a policy on this).
- No location tagging.
- Review photos uploaded to social media before they leave home and again when back.
Camp stranger danger
- Counselors are adults with access to kids’ devices. Most camps do background checks; some don’t. Know the policy.
- Teach the kid: no private DMs with counselors. No exchanging phone numbers outside official camp channels.
- “If anyone asks you to keep a photo or message secret from me, that’s the rule that’s being broken. Come to me.”
If camp is a “no phone” policy
Consider a simple GPS tracker or kid smartwatch as a compromise. See our kid smartwatches guide.
Return-home transition
Three or more weeks away often means kids return with locked-out social media (passwords forgotten), a massive pile of notifications, and a strong impulse to post everything. Sit with them for 30 minutes to help reset accounts, review messages, and decide what gets posted.