How to Help Homesick Campers

Anticipation for summer camp can sometimes turn into homesickness.

Summer camp can be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of childhood. However, for children who are not used to being away from home, nervous about attending camp or going through difficulties in their home lives, camp can be a stress-inducing experience. There are benefits to working through homesickness, rather than sending the child home at their first insistence; children will learn to effectively handle future stressful situations where they are among people they don't know. There are many techniques available to parents and camp counselors to help a child camper deal with homesickness.

Instructions

For Counselors

1. Speak with your camper to discover how he is feeling (likely sad or lonely), and how he would like to feel (happy or calm, for instance). What does your camper picture himself doing when he feels happy or calm?

2. 

   A favorite activity can help a child adjust to his surroundings.

   Encourage your camper to participate in activities he enjoys. This may help take his mind off of his lonely feelings. Pairing your camper with a child who has similar interests is a good way to promote new friendships.

3. Offer ways to cope with homesickness when lonely feelings recur. A particularly successful strategy is to suggest the camper write a letter home that describes the fun activities he has been participating in. He will be connecting with his family while remembering happy moments.

For Parents

1. Ask your child about his favorite parts of camp during scheduled phone calls. Encourage him to expand upon his positive experiences at camp to deter prolonged negative thinking.

2. 

   A letter or care package is often comforting to a homesick child.

   Send a care package or letter through the mail to reassure your child. Special treats such as home baked cookies, a book or a plush toy will help maintain ties to home and are comforting. Besides, everyone loves receiving mail at camp!

3. Know when enough is enough. Sometimes the camp and child are simply not a good fit, and bringing your child home is for the best. Talk with your child about what he liked and didn't like about camp in order to debrief and prepare him for further independent activities.

References

• Strategies for Handling Homesickness; Cynthia Feeney; 2011
• NYU Child Study Centre: Help for Homesick Campers; H. Paul Gabriel, M.D., et al.