How can I prepare my camper for homesickness before camp starts?

How can I prepare my camper for homesickness before camp starts?

It’s perfectly normal for campers (and their parents!) to miss home at some point during the camp session. Before camp begins, you can help prepare your camper with a few strategies recommended by the American Camp Association:
  1. Encourage independence throughout the year. Practice short separations, such as sleepovers at a friend’s house.
  2. Involve your camper in the process of choosing a camp. The more your campers owns the decision, the more comfortable they will feel at camp. Look at pictures of camp, and let your camper pack their suitcase.
  3. Talk candidly with your camp director about any anxieties that you or your camper may have.
  4. Discuss what camp will be like before your camper leaves. Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom.
  5. Our camp has a no-phone-calls policy—honor it.
  6. Pack a note ahead of time for your camper to have on the trip.
  7. Acknowledge that you will miss each other in a positive way. For example, “I am going to miss you, but I know you’ll have a great time at camp!”
  8. Pack a small personal item from home, such as a stuffed animal.
  9. Don’t bribe. The reward for a successful stay at camp should be your camper's newfound confidence and independence, not a material object.
  10. Don’t plan an exit strategy. If a “rescue call” comes from your camper, be patient and help put the timeframe into perspective. Avoid the temptation to bring your camper home early.
  11. Don’t feel guilty about encouraging your camper to stay at camp. For many children, camps are the first step towards independence and play an important role in their growth and development.

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