5 Books for Anxious Campers

Camping Journal For Kids, by Tom Alyea
To this day, one of the most helpful ways for me to deal with anxiety provoking situations is to write about it. (Hence the boxes of journals I have in storage!) This Camping Journal For Kids is a perfect way to get your reluctant campers channeling their nerves into something creative and productive. Writing about all of the fun and new sounds, sights, and experiences will help take their minds off of their anxiety. And a camping checklist in the book will make sure they’re all prepared for their next camping adventure!

Escape from Camp Run-For-Your-Life (Give Yourself Goosebumps #19), by R.L. Stine
If your kids think their summer camp is nerve-wracking, just wait until they read about the kids at Camp Running Leaf. Spiders and poison ivy will seem like small potatoes next to zombies and mountain lions. This book even lets you choose your own spooky ending!

The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
You would think bears wouldn’t be scared of anything, but turns out that even grizzly cubs get the first-day-of-camp jitters. This should reassure your anxious camper that they are in good company, and they can read along as Brother and Sister head to Grizzly Bob’s Day Camp. This book is extra fun because it comes with stickers!

Camp Out!: The Ultimate Kids’ Guide, by Lynn Brunelle, Elara Tanguy, and Brian Biggs 
I always feel more comfortable going into a new situation if I fcamping journal for kids, feel totally prepared for anything, and this book will definitely get any camping novice fully ready to head into the great outdoors! It is chock full of camping-related information, everything from how to set up a campsite and tent, to packing lists, and even creepy stories to tell around the campfire while eating s’mores (recipe included!).

The Night Before Summer Camp, by Natasha Wing and Mindy Pierce 
This book is from the popular The Night Before series, which tackles first day nerves for just about every experience—from The Night Before First Grade to The Night Before My Birthday. Author Natasha Wing is an expert at soothing children’s nerves, so your young reader is in good hands as they read about how one young camper, with the help of a new camp friend, goes from being a nervous camper to having the best summer ever!