School camps, multi-night outdoor trips and overnight events are big milestones for older kids — but for families navigating bedwetting, they can also trigger anxiety.

With planning and confidence-building, your child can focus on the experience, not the fear of an accident. Bedwetting is a development-related difference many kids grow out of over time, not a failure of effort or character [1]. 

Why School Camps Feel Bigger Than Sleepovers

School camps introduce longer stays, shared cabins and less privacy than a friend’s house. That can turn normal nerves into something more stressful for both kids and parents. What’s important to know is that bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is common in school-age children and isn’t unusual even beyond the early years. Medical research shows many children continue to have wet nights as part of normal development because their nervous system and bladder alerts mature at different rates [2]. 

This isn’t behavioural — it’s biological and statistically frequent enough that planning ahead makes sense.

Normalising the Experience (for You and Your Child)

When you frame bedwetting as a developmental variation, it reduces shame and opens space for practical preparation.

Studies show that enuresis is linked to differences in sleep-arousal mechanisms and bladder signalling — not laziness or resistance.

Genetic and developmental factors play a role, which is why children in the same family can have similar experiences [3]. 

Sharing these facts with your child, in calm, age-appropriate language, gives them information, not blame.

Deciding Who to Tell at School Camp

A lot of parents ask: Should the school know? The short answer is yes — but only the people responsible for overnight supervision. You don’t need to announce anything to the whole group.

A simple, private note to the camp coordinator might read:

“My child sometimes wets the bed overnight. We’re packed with discreet protection and a plan for changes. I just wanted you aware in case extra support is needed.”

This gives staff context without spotlighting your child.

Because bedwetting is medically common and often intermittent, preparing adults with a plan aligns with best practices clinicians recommend for overnight events.

Packing Smart — Quiet, Practical, Respectful

Getting the gear right helps your child manage independently and confidently:

• Pack nighttime protection in a separate pouch your child can handle without shouting for help.
• Include discreet disposal bags so used items can be managed quietly.
• A spare lightweight mattress protector or fitted sheet can be tucked away and only used if needed.

This respects privacy, supports independence and prevents the “fear of discovery” parents worry about.

Confidence Conversations Before Departure

The words you use matter. Rather than framing protection as a fallback, introduce it as smart preparation — like sunscreen or a raincoat:

• “We’ve packed everything we need so you can enjoy camp.”
• “If a night is wet, we handle it confidently and move on.”

Kids don’t need pep talks. They need matter-of-fact support, which research on child wellbeing shows helps reduce anxiety tied to bodily functions.

What If an "Accident" Happens?

It’s good to be prepared emotionally for this. If a wetting episode occurs:

• Arrange privacy for cleanup immediately.
• Offer practical support (fresh clothes, help with disposal).
• Reinforce: “We handle it quietly and you jump right back into camp activities.”

Because bedwetting can be intermittent and unpredictable, normalising care — not hiding fear — builds long-term confidence.

Other Overnight Events Where These Skills Matter

All the skills and planning here apply beyond school camps:

• Sports trips with overnight stays
• Scouts or Guides weekends
• Choir or performance tours
• Family get-aways with shared rooms

Each setting differs, but the core remains the same: preparation + dignity + confidence.