Homesickness is a feeling that anyone can feel A strange, new place, even if it is exciting and fun, it is normal to miss home. Separation anxiety or homesickness is a normal part of childhood. It is appropriate, in loving, trusting family. Because your child loves and feels secure with you, separation can be scary and uncomfortable

An Overnight Summer Camp often is difficult for a child, even if they know the seperation will be followed by a wonderful family reunion. Children can easily get overwhelmed when adjusting to living with new people in a different place, . Even for children who enjoy new adventures a short bout of homesickness is a common reaction for kids new to summer camp.

As parent it’s important not to measure your success by by your child’s homesickness. Don’t feel as if your child is not independent just because your child is having a difficult time adjusting to summer camp. It may be difficult to understand how hard your child finds the first few days at camp. For them often it seems that he will never see you again. Be sure to rationally look at your child’s reactions. Often kids are just looking for a reassuring hug

Homesickness is not about your child loving or trusting you enough, or about her independence or willingness to take risks. Homesickness at Summer camp is a temporary feeling that can be beaten with the support of camp staff. Beating homesickness it is a huge boost to to a childs self-confidence and self esteem. Helping kids get over home sickness is what camps do well. Be Sure to talk to the director if you feel this may be an issue for your child

Should you ever give up? Sure, but don’t act to quickly, unless you feel their is a problem more than just homesickness. Feelings of failure often accompanies those who return early. Sometimes, a child is just not ready for camp even with the best of intentions and efforts on the parents and camp. Especially, when it’s just not a good fit. If, after a week or ten days with the best efforts of your camp, your child is clearly not adjusting, it may be time to bring your camper home. Usually going for a visit does not help the situation.

If you make the decision to bring your child home, hopefully in agreement with the camp director, then you need to support your child fully through what he may think is a failure. Don’t go through an intense reevaluation the day he comes home, but after a few days, you should sort out what went right and what went wrong with the experience. Help your child to understand that even though the camp experience was disappointing, he is not a failure because he came home. Let your child know that you may reconsider another sleepaway camp program at another time because you have confidence in him.

Should you feel overnight camp maybe difficult for your child find a program that has a special “first time camper program.” Swift Nature Camp offers a unique FIRST TIME AT CAMP program, that is designed for childrens first time away from home. This 12 day program works because it is long enough for campers to not get stuck at a place of homesickness, but rather helps them to get through those feelings. We limit the amount of campers and with only first timers, it sets a level playing feel for all campers.

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Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz have been the owners & Directors of Swift Nature Camp since 1996. Swift is a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. In addition to traditional adventure camp activities we promote Nature as a Science Summer Camp, with fun hands on activities. So learn more about our first time camper at Summer Youth Camp.

categories: Summer Camp, Science Summer Camp, Camp Homesickness, First Time Camper, Kids Camp, Summer Youth Camp, Camp, Overnight Summer Camp, Environmental Camp, Midwest Summer Camp, Outdoors, Parenting, Family, travel