It’s perfectly natural, and sleepaway camp counselors are well-trained in the fine art of helping kids ease past the initial adjustment and really get into the fantastic swing of summer camp fun.
There are, however, some ways in which you can help your child adjust more quickly to being away from home for the first time.
Being homesick at camp is just a part of growing up, and your child will be emotionally stronger at summer’s end. Very few children, less than one percent, actually end up being taken home from summer camp.
Is Your Child Ready?
Every child is different, but often around eight or nine they’re ready for a week or two of sleepaway camp. When your child is happy to go to sleepovers at a friend’s house or is asking about going away to camp, he or she is probably ready to spend some of the summer away at camp.
Let Your Child Help Pick a Camp
Whether they’ve heard great reviews from a friend, seen exciting camp websites or even read a book where the character is at overnight summer camp, it’s helpful to let your youngster lead the way in picking a camp. Your child will feel empowered by having been a part of the decision. Keep in mind that camps with loads of activities that appeal to your child allow far less time to be homesick. Children who feel forced to attend a camp they fear they won’t like are more likely to be homesick.
When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Keep drop-off casual and upbeat, and don’t drag out the goodbyes. Going to summer camp is a happy event, and it’s important for parents to stay composed and calm. Most of all, never tell that you’ll come and get them if they’re homesick. It undermines their confidence and implies they aren’t emotionally strong enough to be away from home. Help them unpack a bit, meet their counselor and then go home.
Don’t Call Them
Even if your child’s camp allows calls, it’s best to confine your correspondence to letters. After all, phone calls may let slip that you are actually “home sick” for your child, and the sound of your voice may make your child’s homesickness worse. Letter-writing has become somewhat of a lost art, and a good camp will only encourage letters back and forth to home. Some families pre-address and pre-stamp envelopes to encourage their camper to correspond.
Encourage Your Child to Stay Busy
Encourage your child to get involved in as many camp activities as he or she can squeeze into a day. They busier anyone is, the less time they have to dwell on feelings of homesickness. If these sad feelings seem to be interfering with enjoyment of fun camp activities, your child should talk to his or her camp counselor.
Getting Over Homesickness Boosts Self-Esteem
If your child arrives at camp with some good practice overnights away from home and an understanding that some homesickness is perfectly normal, he or she will know what to think and do if they start to feel a bit homesick, and being able to overcome these feelings will boost their self-confidence and self-esteem.
