Homesickness doesn’t have to disrupt a positive away camp experience. Parents or guardians who speak honestly and openly with their children about being away from home can help ease the anxiety.
“What parents say matters and is very important for the intensity of homesickness,” says Edward Walton, M.D., who serves on the board of the American Camp Association (ACA), an accredited camp organization that specializes in youth development.
The ACA and other camp professionals offer a few tips that can help children ease into the summer camp experience.
Make certain that residential camp is appropriate for your child. While overnight camps can offer an exciting experience, discuss your decision with your child. Show websites, catalogues or brochures that offer activities of interest to your child. Contact the camp and find out if they will allow you and your child to meet some of the staff to discuss the programs before enrollment.
Frank Lenardi, senior director of programs and facilities of the North Suburban YMCA, suggests that families ask camp staff the following questions: What will my child be doing? What experience does your staff have? How flexible and accommodating is the camp? How do you deal with allergies?
Start with a sleepover. If your child has never spent a night away from home, encourage them to stay the night at a friend’s home. During that time, limit any phone calls or text messages so your child can experience what camp may be like without you.
Talk about it. Feeling some sort of fear while at camp is natural for most children, especially those attending for the first time. Encourage children to figure out their own solutions when it comes to handling homesickness. Learning how to cope with difficult feelings can become a positive growing experience for your child.
Share information. Tell children that camp will be even more fun if they take advantage of the many offerings, join the activities and keep busy, says camp director Paul Denowski of YMCA Camp Wapsie.
Talk about the fun part. Remind your children that camp is a fun, learning environment where they will have exciting new experiences and meet new friends. Children need the opportunity to play and engage with other people, to learn how to make friends, to make mistakes, to correct those mistakes, to learn how to survive and thrive in the world today, and have opportunities to play,” says Peg Smith, CEO of the ACA.
Parents get homesick, too. Some parents may struggle with feelings of sadness while their children are away. If the thought of separation from your child has you feeling down, speak to a professional that can suggest a plan to ease the summer camp blues for you.
