Page 15 - ParentHandbook2020

Homesickness
Camp is a growth experience for kids. It’s a place where kids have fun, but also develop a sense of independence and self-confidence. Feeling a little homesick is a normal and healthy part of this process – even if it is not a child’s first experience away from home. The first week of camp is an adjustment for most campers. For some, it is the first time away from home, the first time living with a group of people, or maybe the first time trying to water ski. With so many “firsts” taking placing, it is normal for campers to experience some anxiety and homesickness during this time. We provide a safe, caring, and supportive environment to help each child process these normal feelings of homesickness. The staff are trained to help campers cope with their feelings and to help them get through their stages of homesickness and make a healthy adjustment to camp life.
Homesickness, if it does occur, is most common during “down time” at camp such as rest hour or before bedtime. Most campers who experience this are fine during the day and are truly enjoying their activities, new friends, and overall camp experience. We help campers realize that they can still have fun at camp even though they miss home. Campers learn to cope with their homesick feelings in a healthy way while they’re at camp. Not all campers cope with homesickness in the same way. It is our job as professionals to help find a coping strategy that works best for your child. Please let you child know this it is normal and okay to miss home. Your child is supposed to think about you and your family. We have helped hundreds of campers understand that they can miss you AND still have a summer filled with growth, fun and friendships.
If your child is experiencing homesickness on a regular basis (more than one or two nights) we will notify you. We want you to know that we are aware of the situation and are working with your child. If you receive a homesick letter and you have concerns, please feel free to call the office and talk with our directors.
Helping Your Child Succeed at Camp
Over the years, we have helped many parents and campers succeed at their first away from home experience. Here are some simple tips to help your child’s experience be a successful one:
• Discuss what camp will be like well before your child leaves. Role-play difference scenarios that will occur at camp. For example, what will it be like trying an activity for the first time? What will you say to people you are introduced to in your cabin the first day? What if you have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night? What will you do if you are not feeling well one day? There are so many situations that come up at camp. Try to discuss situation that your child may be nervous about to help prepare him/her as best as possible.
• Do NOT tell your child you will pick him or her up from camp if he or she does not like it, or is homesick. We consider this the most important rule when preparing your child for camp. This may set your child
up to fail, as the first time something does not go exactly as planned he or she will want to go home. Furthermore, children typically lose any and all motivation to try to succeed at camp if they think a parent is coming. These children tend to spend the entire day wondering [CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...]
2020 Camp Robin Hood Parent Handbook
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