Homesickness at Summer Camp

How to Best Prepare Your Kids

Suffering homesickness at summer camp is a concern for millions of parents and kids each year as they prepare to head off for camp for the first time. Homesickness is a normal reaction to being away from home and overcoming it is a part of the personal development that kids undergo at summer camp.

There are strategies for setting your child up for a successful camp experience, but also know that camp staff are trained to deal with homesickness. If you have a particularly introverted child you might consider sending your child with a friend to help in the adjusting period.

At Home- Set Your Child Up For Success
Involve your child in the decision making process of selecting a camp, watching DVDs, visitng the camp beforehand, and buying required items and packing.

If your child is expressing concerns about homesickness then acknowledge their concerns and help to understand that it is okay to feel excited and scared about something new. Talk through some strategies that they can use in the first few days of camp- using friends as support, approaching a known counselor, taking pictures or a toy from home. etc...

Remind them of the reasons they are excited about camp and let them know that you will be thinking of them even though you know they will be fine because they are great at making friends, playing in teams, being a leader..., any strengths that they have shown in the past.

At Camp- More Positive Words
Before your child goes to camp send a letter so that it reaches them in the first few days. Send encouraging words of how proud you are of them and remind them of their own strengths. Don't mention events happening at home that they might be missing out on.

Campers who are showing signs of homesickness will get extra attention from staff in trying to get them involved in activities and meeting new people. They will also let your child know that homesickness is completely normal and encourage them to write a letter home to help express their feelings. If you receive a sad letter, don't be concerned, the homesickness will probably have passed by the time it reaches you.

Coming Home Early
If your child comes home early from camp then don't tease or shame them, even in fun. They will already be feeling guilty and embarrassed and will be needing your understanding and support.

Sit down together and discuss how your child is going to enjoy the rest of the summer break and make yourself available if your child wishes to talk to you about their camp experience. Summer camp is not for everyone, and it's important that you help your child to move on quickly and realise that there is life after camp. 

  **TIP- On your child's first visit to summer camp, don't make any big plans of your own. Try to remain accessible, just in case homesickness becomes an issue and your child does need to come home.