Help for the Homesick Camper's Parent

by Peg L. Smith, CEO, American Camp Association

Sending your child to camp provides a safe environment for him or her to test old boundaries and take new risks. As parents, we recognize these benefits, but sometimes it's hard to let go and allow our children to take the risks will help them develop into individuals out of fear they'll be homesick. In reality, it is we as parents who become homesick for our children, and it's the children who are picked up at the end of camp wearing broad smiles. In fact, homesickness is normal for both parents and children, and only about one to seven percent of campers are homesick enough that it interferes with the child's camp experience. When kids are kept busy and active at camp, there are many opportunities for campers and parents to keep in touch and help fend off the inevitable homesickness. Here are some tips for helping you and your child deal with homesickness:

Do Give your child pre-addressed, stamped envelopes or postcards so that they can keep you informed of camp activities.

Ask the camp director if electronic communications are available for campers' use. If so, remind your child that you can stay connected with him or her through home e-mail, fax, the camp's website, or even podcasts!

Send a note or postcard in advance to the camp so there will be a personalized touch from home when your child arrives. This lets your young camper know that their family has not forgotten them and reassures them that you know he or she is having a good time.

Many camps allow parents to send care packages to campers. Check with the camp director to see what the camp's policies are in regards to what items may or may not be sent. Also, consider sending your child to camp with photos or a favorite stuffed animal.

Don't Although there are benefits in keeping children informed of what's going on at home, avoid going into great detail since the young adventurers might feel they're missing something back home. Directors advise parents not to mention just how much they, or even their pets, miss the camper.

Don't worry. Your natural reaction is to call on the first day just about bedtime to see how your camper is doing, but camp directors recommend against this. Okay, you will worry, but remember that counselors are trained to recognize and deal with symptoms of homesickness.

As one experienced camp director noted, "We have few homesick children, but we have homesick parents by the dozens."

Most importantly, always be sure to check with the camp director prior to camp to get the scoop on what electronics the camp allows for correspondence to home. Don't be shy about asking questions. Camp directors are sensitive to parents needs – many are parents as well!

Intuitively, we know that in order for our children to become healthy, productive citizens, they will need to be able to navigate the world in which they live well beyond formal academic skills. We also understand that if a child is to mature into a successful adult, he or she must be able to exercise not just their mind, but their body and soul. Camp is the perfect opportunity for this. While you must be willing to let your child go for her to experience these benefits, she will return home happy to see you. Your bond can actually be strengthened while your child is at away camp if you provide healthy communication with him about making new friends and experiencing new learning opportunities.

Just don't be surprised if they are too busy toasting s'mores, learning how to ride a horse, and laughing with new friends to write home!

Peg L. Smith is the CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA) and has twenty-six years of experience working with children, youth, and families. The American Camp Association is the only national association that accredits camps. With up to 300 safety and regulation standards, ACA promotes a safe and fun camp experience with developmental benefits backed by independent research. To learn more about the American Camp Association, please visit www.CampParents.org or www.ACAcamps.org.

Printed by permission of the American Camp Association © 2007 American Camping Association, Inc.