Parent Resources
Thoughtful guides and tools for family life, seasonal transitions, and confident decision-making.
Whether you’re navigating big choices like summer camp, preparing for long mountain winters, or looking for practical support as a parent, these resources are here to help. Rooted in real experience, both as a parent and a longtime camp professional, they’re designed to meet you where you are.
Photo by Jane Izard
Choosing Summer Camp
Because picking the right camp deserves clarity, not panic.
Summer camp can be one of the most meaningful experiences a child has when the right fit meets preparation.
If you’re in the process of researching, questioning, comparing, or deciding, start here.
Featured Resources + Free Tools
10 Questions to Ask a Summer Camp Director
How to Choose the Right Summer Camp is a thoughtful, research-informed guide for parents navigating one of childhood’s most meaningful—and often overwhelming—decisions.
Rather than offering rankings, age rules, or one-size-fits-all advice, this guide helps families slow down and choose with confidence, clarity, and care.
Drawing on decades of professional experience in the camp and youth development world, this guide walks parents through:
The different types of camps and what each offers
How to think about readiness, hesitation, and independence
What questions truly matter when evaluating programs
Key considerations around safety, staffing, accessibility, and inclusion
Practical guidance for logistics, preparation, and supporting homesickness
How to make camp work for your unique child and family
This guide is not about finding a “perfect” camp or eliminating uncertainty. It’s about making an informed, values-aligned decision—one that honors both your child’s growth and your role as a parent.
Whether you’re considering day camp, overnight camp, or a first step into time away from home, How to Choose the Right Summer Camp offers a grounded perspective, reassurance, and a clear path forward.
Instant digital download | 30+ pages
This is a digital product delivered immediately upon purchase. Due to the nature of digital content, all sales are final and non-refundable.
When I Miss Home
A Camp-Ready Plan for Kids + Parents
Homesickness isn’t something to prevent — it’s something to prepare for.
This gentle, printable 2-page guide helps parents and kids talk about homesickness before camp begins, without creating fear or pressure. It includes a simple parent script, a child-friendly action plan, calming mantras, and space for kids to write down who they can go to for help at camp.
Created by longtime camp professional Anne Izard, this guide focuses on preparation over perfection — building confidence, independence, and emotional resilience in a way that feels supportive and doable.
Perfect for first-time campers (and their parents), or anyone who wants a calmer, more confident start to camp.
Inside you’ll find:
A parent conversation guide (what to say + how to say it)
A kid-friendly “When I Miss Home” action plan
Simple coping tools kids can actually remember
Encouraging mantras for hard moments
Space to name trusted adults at camp
A small packing ritual to support connection
Instant digital download. Print at home.
Because growing up is brave work.
3 Readiness Signals Parents Often Miss;
A gentle reflection for families considering overnight camp
Is My Child Ready for Summer Camp?
Seasonal + Practical Resources
These are tools that support everyday family rhythms — the ones that matter on kitchen tables, not just in spreadsheets.
A practical, lived-in checklist for preparing home, family, and mind for a long mountain winter.
Why These Resources Matter
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — but it shouldn’t require reinventing the wheel either. I wrote these tools to:
Reduce overwhelm
Provide practical guidance with heart
Help families make decisions with confidence, not anxiety
Support resilience and belonging in everyday life
Whether you’re making big choices or just trying to plan your week, this page is meant to be a calm place to start.
About
Anne writes from her home in the San Juan Mountains, where she and her family live at 9,318 feet. A parent of three and a longtime camp professional, she blends research, lived experience, and honest reflection to help other parents navigate the joys and challenges of family life.