Healing Homesickness
Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner, and your child (and you!) are anxiously awaiting not only warm weather, flip flops and more freedom in your schedule, but possibly an overnight camp experience too! While summer camps bring fun and excitement, they can also bring homesickness. Being homesick is totally natural, normal and can happen at varying ages. The good news? With a few simple steps, your child will be prepped and ready for camp in no time!
Tip: Find the best camp for your child using KC's #1 Camp Guide!
Involve your child
As parents, we have our own ideas about what we want our children to be doing this summer. Some of those ideas are based on necessity because of work and schedule constraints, but whenever possible, involve your children in decision making about summer camps to let them fee part of the process. This helps create buy-in and offers a sense of control as well. Plus, it’s exciting for kids to be involved in the decision of choosing their camp!
Prepare
Adequately preparing your child prior to camp can go a long way toward creating a successful opportunity. Look at pictures together of the camp they will be attending, chat with other people who have been, learn about the area (especially if the camp is out of town), speak openly about the possibility of homesickness and, if possible, even visit the camp ahead of time. And don’t forget to go shopping for a few new camp supplies together too!
Do not make a “pickup plan” as part of your child’s camp preparation, saying to your child that if he isn’t happy or doesn’t like camp, you will come and get him. Set the expectation of seeing it through, then encourage and share your confidence in your camper. By the same token, if you do get a phone call from a crying, homesick child, resist the urge to rescue—as hard as that will be. Be positive but firm and let your child know you believe in him to see this through.
Practice
Instead of sending your child off on his first overnight in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, start small. Plan a sleepover at Grandma’s house or with a friend. You can also practice with your child handline different camp scenarios that might be unfamiliar to him. Spend time practicing necessary skills for developing your child’s independence as well.
Start Local
Before sending your child to a summer overnight camp out of town, plan to try a short one locally first. This will not only ease your child into the idea, but she’ll also know you are still close by.
Friends
To ease your child’s nerves and curb the homesickness, sign up for camp with friends! “My son had just finished third grade, but I signed him up for Youthfront with about 15 friends, and they were thrilled to be together. I signed my daughter up with five other friends, so she was happy to be together with them. I think that was key for us,” says Leah, an Overland Park mom of four.
Stay in contact
Find out what communication methods will be allowed or preferred, then plan to keep in touch with your children while they are gone. “My kids are pretty independent, but when my daughter went to Tekakwitha overnight, we were able to send her messages on ‘camp notes,’ and the camp printed them off to give to her,” shares Megan, Lenexa mom of two.
Care packages and treats
Who doesn’t love a care package or opening little surprise treats you find hidden in your suitcase? Your little camper is no different! Kristen, an Overland Park mom of three says, “When our son went to overnight camp for the first time, I wrapped a surprise for him each day. I included favorite treats and a small note on each like ‘open when you’re missing Mom’ or ‘open when you are missing home.’ I also gave him a journal and encouraged him to write the fun activities he did. We happened to have a family gathering the day before he left, so each person wrote a short note that I was able to sneak into his bag too. When he got home, we did see that he had written every day and even written contact info of some friends he made.”
Whether it is Kanakuk, Girl Scout, Tekakwitha, Missouri Military Academy, YMCA or another camp you are choosing, rest assured your child will have a wonderful time and, homesick or not, come home with great stories and memories for life!
Tip: Find the best camp for your child using KC's #1 Camp Guide!
Julie Collett is an Overland Park mom of four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 3.