Camp Bound Kids: Keeping Homesickness at Bay

Host Bee on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Camp Bound Kids: Keeping Homesickness at Bay!

If your son or daughter is headed to camp this summer, there are some really easy things that parents can do to reduce the chance of homesickness! The American Camp Association suggests the following steps for an easy transition!

Involve Your Child in the Camp Selection – Involve your child in the camp selection. This will lead to greater ownership and comfort with the decision
Discuss Camp Expectations Ahead - Discuss what the camp will be like before leaving home
Review the Call Policy – Reach an agreement ahead of time about calling each other, and if the camp has a no-calls policy, be sure to honor that
Have Mail Waiting for Your Camper at Arrival – Get a care package or letter out in the mail before your child leaves for camp – that way a touch of home will waiting when you head home
Pack a Personal Item – Pack a personal item from home like a special stuffed animal or photo
Do Your Best to Have Your Child Stick it Out - Resist the temptation to take your child home early. As long as you’ve determined that your child is not in danger, try to keep in mind that the camp time frame probably isn’t that long.
Use Camp Counselors as a Resource – If you are worried about your child, seek the perspective of the camp counselors regarding his or her adjustment
Don’t Feel Guilty – Don’t feel guilty about encouraging your child to stay at camp – it’s an important first step toward independence

As the newly initiated mom of a camper, this advice is truly sound! And if you’d like some more ideas to make a camp stay even more fun, take a look at “Countdown to Camp” and “Quick Tips for Keeping in Touch with Your Camper!”