Tips courtesy of the American Camp Association As summer begins, millions of kids are heading off to summer camp—eager, excited, and… homesick? Research indicates that homesickness is the norm, not the exception. It is common for campers to feel a tinge at some point during the camp session. So, how can parents help? With a little preparation and patience, you can prevent your child from coming down with a serious case of homesickness, and help ease any pangs in otherwise happy campers. Here's how:
10 ways to inoculate kids against homesickness
1. Encourage your child's independence throughout the year.
Practice separations, such as sleepovers at a friend's house, help build up kids’ immunity, so to speak, getting them ready for the camp environment.
2. Involve your child in the process of choosing a camp.
The more that your child owns the decision, the more comfortable he will feel at camp.
3. Discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves.
Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom.
4. Reach an agreement ahead of time on calling each other.
If your child's camp has a no-phone-calls policy, honor it.
5. Send a note or care package ahead of time to arrive the first day of camp.
Acknowledge, in a positive way, that you will miss your child. For example, you can say, "I am going to miss you, but I know that you will have a good time at camp."
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6. Don't bribe. The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. For more expert advice on camp, including help for homesickness, visit CampParents.org.
Linking a successful stay at camp to a material object sends the wrong message. The reward should be your child's newfound confidence and independence—not to mention all the fun she’ll have.
7. Pack a personal item from home, such as a stuffed animal.
A touch stone like this can offer a little comfort and familiarity into a place that may feel very unfamiliar—at first.
8. Avoid the temptation to take kids home early.
If you get a “rescue call,” offer calm reassurance and put the time frame into perspective for your child. Then talk candidly with the camp director, and ask for his or her perspective on your child's adjustment. Remember, camp staff members are trained to help ease homesickness.
9. Don't feel guilty about encouraging your child to stay at camp.
For many children, camp is a first step toward independence and plays an important role in their growth and development.
10. Most of all, trust your instincts.
Most bouts of homesickness pass in a day or two, but approximately 7 percent of cases are severe. If your child is not eating or sleeping, work with the camp director and other camp staff to evaluate the situation. If your child’s stay at camp has to end early, don’t worry and don’t let your child feel like a failure. Focus on the positive, like the fun your camper did have, and encourage your child to try camp again next year.
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