May at Wico: Gearing Up for Summer & What It Means to Return

It’s hard to believe we’re under 50 days from the start of Summer 2025! The Full Time Team starts to head up to camp this week and we have pre-camp crew and our staff arrivals just around the corner. Around this time of year, things start to feel real. Your duffels might not be packed (yet!), but the countdown is definitely on. Whether it’s your very first summer at Wico or you’re gearing up for your second, third, or tenth, May is the perfect time to start transitioning—both physically and mentally—into “camp mode.”

Getting Physically & Mentally Ready

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, there are a few things you can do to get camp-ready:

• Get moving: Try getting outside more often, riding your bike, playing with friends, or walking instead of driving. Camp is full of active days—games on the field, dancing in the dining hall, and cheering your heart out. Starting to move your body now can make the transition feel more natural.
• Practice independence: If you’re used to adults doing a lot for you at home, now’s a good time to practice things like making your bed, picking out your clothes, organizing your things, and even taking a shower without being reminded! At Wico, you’ll have lots of support, but you’ll also gain confidence by doing things on your own.
• Think about your goals: What are you excited to try this summer? Whether it’s climbing the rock wall, learning to water ski, making a new friend, or improving your swim strokes, it helps to set a few personal intentions for the summer. Camp is a place to grow—and that growth starts with you!

Coming Back for a Second Summer

If this will be your second summer at Wico—yay!—you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity about what it will be like to return as a “not first-year camper.”

Some of you might be thinking: “I was homesick last year…will that happen again?” The answer? Maybe—but probably not in the same way. You’ve already done something big and brave: you came to camp and made it through! Even if you had tough moments, you also had fun, made friends, and learned what it means to be part of the Wico community. Now you’re coming back with tools, confidence, and experience. You’ll recognize the layout, the schedule, the faces—and that makes a big difference. You might even find yourself helping this year’s new campers feel more at home.

And if you weren’t homesick last summer? Amazing! That doesn’t mean this summer will feel exactly the same—and that’s okay, too. Sometimes, when you return for a second year and know how special camp is, you might notice different emotions bubbling up. Maybe you’ll think about home for a moment during a quiet rest hour or feel extra grateful during a favorite Wico tradition. These feelings aren’t necessarily “homesickness”—they’re just a sign that you care deeply about both your home and your camp home. It’s all part of growing up and learning how to navigate new experiences with confidence and heart.

First-Time Families—We See You!

If you’re sending your child to Wico for the first time, May is also a good month to start talking about what camp might look and feel like. Read the Family Handbook, review the packing list, and talk honestly about the nerves and excitement that come with a new experience. Camp is a gift that lasts far beyond one summer—and the preparation you do now helps create a smooth and positive transition for your camper.

As always, we’re here to help every step of the way. Whether you’re counting down with giddy excitement or feeling those pre-camp butterflies, just know: Wico is ready for you. And we can’t wait to welcome you back (or for the first time!) to your summer home.

Let the countdown begin—see you in under 50 days!

💚 The Wico Team