Going to Camp Social Skills Story (With Cutest Printable!)

Help kids get ready for summer camp with this editable going to summer camp social story. Includes printable pages, visuals, and a customizable version!

You know those big transitions that sneak up on you and catch kids totally off guard? Summer camp is definitely one of them.

Mockup of Going to Summer Camp Social Story printable book with full-color illustrated pages laid out on a white desk with markers and clipboards.

Even though camp is meant to be fun (and it is!), for a lot of young kids, it’s also full of new routines, new people, and unfamiliar environments—which can stir up some pretty big feelings.

If you’re looking to create your own personalized version of this story or others, head over to my free social story templates where you can grab editable formats and visuals to match your learner’s exact needs.

That’s exactly why I created this Going to Summer Camp Social Story—and made sure to include an editable version too, so parents and teachers can make it their own.

Let’s walk through how this printable works, how to use it, and why it’s such a game-changer for easing anxiety and building confidence.

Social Skill Stories (written in language for kids):

Grab the keep my clothes on social skills story here Grab the waiting in line social skills story here Grab the hands out of pants social skills story here Grab the I can handle loud noises social skills story here Grab the I can walk in a straight line social skills story here Grab the feelings in colors social skills story here Grab 2000+ PGS social skills stories (non-editable) here

Grab the Free Token Board to Pair With This Social Story

If you are using this keeping clothes on social skills story, I highly recommend pairing it with a simple token board. Kids do so much better when there is something visual and concrete they are working toward, especially when we are teaching a new boundary or replacement behavior.

I created a FREE printable token board that you can laminate and use with Velcro coins, real tokens, or even little stars. Your student picks a preferred activity, earns five tokens for demonstrating the expected behavior, and then celebrates reaching their goal in a positive and structured way.

It works beautifully with this story, but honestly, it also works with accepting no, toilet routines, gentle hands, and any other social skill you are teaching. You can grab the free token board below and start using it right away in your classroom or at home.

[Grab the FREE Token Board Here]

What Is a “Going to Summer Camp” Social Story?

A social story is a short, simple story that helps children understand what to expect in new or challenging situations. It uses clear language, often in first person (like “I can go to camp” or “I might feel nervous”), along with visuals that show each step of the routine.

Editable version of the social story open on a laptop screen, showing text boxes where parents or teachers can type custom story lines.

These stories are especially helpful for kids with autism, ADHD, or anxiety—but honestly, every child can benefit from seeing their world made a little more predictable.

When I taught Pre-K, I had a student named Leo who loved his routine. So when it came time for summer break and his parents signed him up for a local nature camp, he was not on board.

But once we introduced a short social story with pictures of what camp would be like—getting dressed, packing a bag, waving goodbye, doing crafts—he lit up.

He even brought the story to camp on his first day and showed it to his counselor. That’s the power of visuals + clear language.

Heading off to camp often involves group outings too! If your child is also attending an excursion, you might find this field trip social story helpful in preparing them for what to expect outside of camp.

Inside the Printable: Editable Summer Camp Social Story Book

This printable is designed with flexibility in mind. Here’s what’s included:

A full-color story with easy-to-understand pictures
A black-and-white version so kids can color it in (which also doubles as a calming pre-camp activity!)
An editable version—YES!—so you can tweak the story to match your own routines, camp names, or wording.

Printable black-and-white social story pages next to crayons and scissors, ready for kids to color and personalize.

Why editable? Well, not every kid goes to the same kind of camp. Some are off to sleepaway camp, others are doing a half-day sports camp, and some are just going to “school camp” in their regular classroom with different teachers.

Being able to write your own story using the same visuals makes it feel more personal and accurate.

One teacher told me she used the editable version to swap out “camp” for “vacation club” because that’s what their school program was called.

Her student recognized the word and said, “Hey! That’s where I’m going!” Boom—instant connection.

Sometimes, even fun activities like camp can lead to tricky emotions. If you’re working on helping children cope with big feelings, check out this frustrated social skills story that teaches simple ways to identify and manage frustration.

How to Use This Social Story with Kids

Here’s how I like to use this with little learners (and trust me, it works wonders!):

Read it together a few days before camp starts. Keep the tone calm and upbeat. Let your child ask questions!
Re-read it each morning leading up to the big day. Repetition helps build comfort.
If using the editable version, let them help choose words or phrases (like what camp is called, what they’ll pack, etc.).
Color the black-and-white pages together. This makes the story feel like theirs.
Act it out. Pack a bag, wave goodbye, and even practice meeting “new friends” with stuffed animals or dolls. Play is powerful!

Flat lay of the complete summer camp social story printable pack with color and editable versions stacked and labeled, surrounded by classroom props.

One of my homeschool moms told me her daughter used the story as a checklist—she pointed to each page in the morning like, “Okay, now I put on sunscreen, next I zip my backpack.”

Making friends at camp often starts with small things—like body language! This eye contact social story is a great way to help kids practice this important social skill in a gentle, visual way.

Why Social Stories Help Kids with Summer Transitions

Whether it’s a first day at camp or a whole summer of new activities, change can feel huge to kids.

Editable social story about going to camp.

Social stories make things smaller and more manageable. They…

✅ Show kids what to expect (no surprises = less anxiety)
✅ Help them learn the language of the routine (“I wave goodbye,” “I wait in line”)
✅ Build independence and self-confidence
✅ Support social-emotional learning by naming feelings and offering coping tools
✅ Give parents and teachers a calm way to prep kids for transitions

I’ve even had students who ask to re-read the story after the first day of camp—just to make sure they still remember what’s coming next.

And for kids who get nervous about drop-offs, this social story can include lines like, “I might feel sad when Mom leaves. That’s okay.

I can tell my teacher and take a deep breath.” That simple sentence can go a long way in helping a child feel seen and safe.

Child’s hands flipping through the summer camp social story booklet showing friendly cartoon images and simple “I” statements about camp routines.

Ready to Use This Story with Your Learners?

You can grab the Going to Summer Camp Social Story below and get access to:

✅ Full-color story version
✅ Printable black-and-white version
✅ Editable PPT version to make it your own
✅ Images you can rearrange or use for your own custom version

Whether you’re prepping for preschool camp, daycare, or even a YMCA adventure, this tool is here to make it smoother for everyone involved.

If you’re looking for something editable or seasonal, I’ve got a vault full of printables inside the Learning Printables Clubhouse too.

Let me know if you try this story with your kiddos—I’d love to hear how it went!

Feeling anxious about camp is totally normal. That’s why this anxiety social story pairs perfectly with the summer camp printable—it walks kids through how anxiety feels and what they can do when it shows up.

And if your little one is taking the bus to camp for the first time, you’ll definitely want to read this riding the bus social story to help them feel confident and safe about the journey.