The Pros and Cons of Bunk Requests: Creating a Positive Summer Camp Experience for All
At SJYC, we believe summer camp is about more than just fun activities and unforgettable adventures—it’s about personal growth, building independence, and forging new friendships that campers will cherish for a lifetime. One of the questions we often get from parents is about our bunk request policy: “Can my child be placed in the same cabin as their friend or sibling?”
While we understand the comfort and reassurance that comes from being with someone familiar, our policy balances these requests with the goal of creating the best experience for every camper in the cabin. Let’s explore the pros and cons of bunk requests and why we encourage thoughtful consideration when making them.
The Benefits of Bunk Requests
Having a friend or sibling in the same cabin can provide:
A Sense of Comfort: Especially for first-time campers, knowing there’s a friendly face nearby can help ease nerves and make the transition to camp life smoother.
Shared Memories: Sharing a cabin with a friend or sibling allows them to experience camp activities together, building bonds through shared adventures and laughs.
However, while these benefits are valid, there are also important trade-offs to consider, especially when it comes to the impact on other campers and the overall camp dynamic.
The Downsides to Bunk Requests
Missed Opportunities to Make New Friends
One of the best parts of summer camp is meeting new people and forming friendships with campers from different backgrounds. When a camper arrives with a built-in friendship, they’re more likely to stick together, which can limit their willingness to branch out and connect with others.Impact on Cabin Dynamics
Each cabin is a small community, and we aim to create a welcoming, balanced environment for everyone. If one or two campers come in as a tightly bonded pair, it can unintentionally make other campers feel excluded. This is especially important for campers who may not have arrived with friends and are looking for connections.Challenges for Sibling Relationships
While it may seem logical to place siblings together for convenience, being in the same cabin can sometimes hinder their individual growth. Camp is a perfect opportunity for siblings to explore who they are individually, form separate friendships, and develop independence from one another.Age/Grade-Level Adjustments
When bunk requests involve campers of different ages, our policy is to move the older camper to the younger camper’s cabin, not vice versa. This often means the older camper sacrifices the chance to bond with peers their own age, which can diminish their overall camp experience.
Why Fostering Independence Matters
Camp is a unique opportunity for children to step outside their comfort zones, develop confidence, and discover new aspects of themselves. When campers are placed in cabins without pre-existing friendships, they learn to:
Navigate social situations independently.
Build resilience and adaptability.
Form friendships based on shared experiences, rather than familiarity.
For siblings, this separation can be especially important. By spending time apart, they learn to value their individual strengths and develop relationships outside their family dynamic. Often, parents are pleasantly surprised to see how much their children grow during their time apart.
Our Cabin Assignment Philosophy
At SJYC, our leadership team carefully considers all bunk requests alongside other factors, such as age, grade, and overall cabin dynamics. While we welcome requests for one specific cabinmate, please keep in mind that not all requests can be fulfilled. Our priority is to create an environment where every camper—whether they arrive with friends or on their own—feels included and supported.
Encouraging Your Camper to Embrace New Friendships
Here are a few tips to help your camper approach this experience with excitement and an open mind:
Set the Tone Early: Talk to your child about the benefits of meeting new people and reassure them that it’s okay to feel nervous—they’re not alone!
Focus on Fun: Remind them that camp is full of activities that make it easy to bond with others, from team games to campfires.
Highlight Independence: Encourage them to see camp as their chance to explore who they are outside of their usual circle of friends or family.
In Conclusion
Bunk requests are a great way to ease campers into the summer camp experience, but they’re just one part of the bigger picture. At SJYC, we strive to create a balanced environment where every camper has the chance to make new friends, grow independently, and build memories that will last a lifetime.
By trusting the process and encouraging your camper to embrace new opportunities, you’ll be setting them up for an unforgettable summer!
