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The Do’s and Dont’s of Homesickness

The Do’s and Dont's of Homesickness

For millions of children, youth, and adults, summer camp is right around the corner. Camp is a unique environment that promotes growth and independence. For many families in today’s plugged in society, camp is the first real separation they have experienced — and many parents may be worried about homesickness — both for their happy camper, and for themselves.

Research indicates that homesickness is normal. It is common for campers and parents to feel a tinge of homesickness at some point during the camp session. So, how can parents help? The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends the following do’s and don’ts families can use to help deal with homesickness:

• DO encourage independence throughout the year. Practice separations, such as sleepovers at a friend's house, can simulate the camp environment.
• DO involve your child in the process of choosing a camp. The more that the child owns the decision, the more comfortable the child will feel being at camp.
• DO understand the camp’s philosophy on how issues, like homesickness, are addressed. Talk candidly with the camp director to understand his/her perspective on your child's adjustment.
• DO discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves. Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom.
• DO reach an agreement ahead of time on calling each other. If your child's camp has a no-phone-calls policy, honor it.
• DO 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."
• DO pack a personal item from home, such as a stuffed animal.
• DON’T bribe. Linking a successful stay at camp to a material object sends the wrong message. The reward should be your child's new found confidence and independence.
• DON’T plan an exit strategy. If a "rescue call" comes from the child, offer calm reassurance and put the time frame into perspective.
• Don'tfeel 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.
• DO trust your instincts. While most incidents of homesickness will pass in a day or two, approximately 7 percent of the cases are severe. If your child is not eating or sleeping because of anxiety or depression, parents should work with the camp director and other camp staff to evaluate the situation.
• DO remember that camp staff are trained to ease homesickness.
• DON’t make your child feel like a failure if their stay at camp is cut short. Focus on the positive and encourage your child to try camp again next year.

For more information on homesickness or expert advice on camp, visit www.CampParents.org. Families can search ACA’s Find a Camp database, which allows families to look for a camp based on region, activity, cultural focus, budget, session length, and much more! In addition, families can follow ACA on Facebook and Twitter for helpful hints and camp information.

Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317 or pr@ACAcamps.org to interview an ACA spokesperson or for more information about the camp experience. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Media Center at www.ACAcamps.org/media_center/.

About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

http://www.acacamps.org/media/story-ideas/dos-donts-homesickness