Prevent Summer Camp Homesickness

Is your tween headed to camp? Consider these ideas for preventing homesickness.

When children go away to summer camp, parents often worry if their child will come down with a case of the homesick blues. Even tweens can suffer from homesickness, but parents should know there are ways to prevent homesickness from ruining an otherwise fun experience. If you think your tween is ready for an overnight camp experience, these suggestions will help you prevent homesickness. And help both of you manage your time without each other.

Stay Positive
It's important to keep the conversation positive when you talk with your child about summer camp. Point out all the fun activities he'll be doing and all the skills he'll be learning. If you keep your tone and conversations positive, your child will learn that summer camp is an experience worth having, and an adventure worth experiencing.

Prepare Your Child
Try to learn as much about the camp as you can beforehand so you can explain what your child's typical day might be like. Be sure he knows that he might be getting up earlier than usual, or that he can't always eat when he wants to. Be sure you don't scare your child about his camp experience. Focusing on things that frighten him, such as bugs, snakes, or the dark of night, might scare him off before he ever sets foot at camp. Instead, tell him that the camp director and camp counselors are experts at having fun and they know how to keep kids safe.

Watch Your Emotions
It's important that your child not feel guilty about leaving you to go to camp. Try not to say things like, "I don't know how I'll ever manage without you!" or, "I'll cry myself to sleep while you're gone." Instead, talk positively about what you have planned while he's away, making sure that it's nothing he'll want to experience with you. Save the trip to the beach for when he's back. Instead, tell him that you plan to clean out the pantry while he's gone, or that you're excited to be able to paint the kitchen while he's away.

Make sure your child knows that you'll be fine while he's gone, and that you're looking forward to hearing about all of his adventures when you pick him up at the end of the week.

Keep in Touch
It's important for parents to keep in touch with their children while they are away at camp. In fact, you might want to write a letter before your camper leaves home, so that the letter is waiting for him when he arrives. Be sure you write letters (or emails) to your child every few days, keeping your letters short and sweet. Update your camper on the family pet, the weather, what you had for dinner, etc. Be sure you don't communicate anything that might concern your child while he's away. Keep your letters light and happy, and be sure to express that you'll see him in just a few days.

Bring Something from Home
It's fine for your child to bring something with him that reminds him of home. It could be a family photo, a blanket, or a small stuffed animal. Even tweens need security items from time to time.

Don't Bargain
Many camps recommend that parents refrain from calling their children while they're at camp, as that can make homesickness even worse. Don't promise that you'll talk to your child while he's away, or that you'll come and get him if he's really miserable. Instead, if you think your child might end up homesick, tell him to find something really fun to do to keep his mind off of his concerns. For example, you could provide your child with a list of activities he should do if he finds himself homesick. The list could suggest that he read a good book, go for a jog, write a letter to one of his siblings, make a list of all the things he likes at camp, come up with nicknames for his camp mates, etc. The idea is to keep his mind busy so that he forgets he's missing home.

Talk to the Camp Director
If you think your child might experience homesickness, make contact with the camp director several weeks in advance of his trip. The camp director may offer suggestions to help you prevent homesickness, and he'll also offer up information on how the camp staff deals with such situations. And that can make you and your child feel a lot better.