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.

Picking a summer camp is no easy task, learn more at Summer Camp Advice a FREE guide for Finding a Summer Camp

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

So you are thinking of sending your child to summer camp! Here are a few questions you need to ask that may affect your child’s stay at camp. If an area is really important for your child and you can not find the information be sure to call the Summer Camp Director and ask questions.

Facilities Take careful note of the condition of the facilities. Are the buildings well maintained, or do they show clear signs of a lack of maintenance. Though well worn and rustic buildings are perfectly ok, make sure that they are not being neglected. Specific things you’ll want to look for and ask about include:

Bunks: * Do children live in cabins, tents, or dorms? * How many beds are in each cabin? * Are they bunk beds or individual cots? * How do the campers choose which beds they want? * Where do the campers store their belongings? * Are the cabins to crowded? Is there enough storage space? Has the camp overbooked and crowded extra campers in? * Are the cabins clean? Are beds made by the campers and belongings stowed? * How many counselors sleep in each Cabin?

Bathrooms: * Where are the toilets? Does each bunk have it’s own toilets or is there a common bathhouse? * If there is a common bathhouse, do children have to walk alone at night? Is the path lighted? * Are there showers in each bunk? * Do campers have to walk in their bathrobes/pajamas to the showers? * If the camp is coed, how separate are the shower facilities? * Who cleans the facilities, and how often?

Waterfront or Swimming Pool: * Is the pool large enough to accommodate all swimmers? * Are the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What kind of waterfront equipment is provided? * What is the level of waterfront supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets always worn during water sports? * Are swimming areas clearly marked? * How do they account for swimmers? Buddy board?

The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition?

Dinning Hall: Believe it or not this one of the most important areas at camp. Nearly 25% of their day is spent in the Dinning Hall. So the Camp needs to understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Will the camp meet your dietary needs. Don’t be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Kids Summer Camp * Are there alternatives if your child does not like the offering? Is there a salad bar? * When, how and what Are the snacks? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What does a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner look like?* Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? This is your child’s friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served family style? If they are served, who serves the food? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or their credentials? How long have they been at this camp? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Who inspectes the state and local codes?

Remember this article has to do with the comforts of camp and not with safety at camp. The American Camp Association has a certification program that looks at over 300 different aspects of camp. It is always best to select a camp that has been ACA Accredited.ACA

You can learn more about selecting athe best Summer Camp by visiting Summer Camp Advice. It’s FREE information about Summer Camp

About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the Directors of Swif Nature Camp a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. SNC promotes Nature with Science Summer Camp programs.

categories: Summer Camp, Science Summer Camp ,kids camp, Wisconsin Camp, Overnight Summer Camp, Outdoors, Parenting, Family, Travel, Recreation, Teens, nature, Kids, Family, Sports

Be sure to take your time picking a Overnight Summer Camp. But start early! Prepare for camp involves more than just packing their trunk. You want to make sure that your child has all their emotional ducks in a row for this (maybe) first time away from home.

As parents we want to talk about this amazing thing called camp yet don’t do to much of it. Preparing your child is a delicate balance. Kids may seem to loose a sense of reality, and his expectations and fantasies may never be met, leading to disappointment, so be careful not to overdo your chats. In addition, kids could focus on their anxieties so much that it’s overwhelming, leading to increased homesick. So if you have a long lead time till camp starts, occasionally bring it up and then in April or May make it a higher priority. As You receive pre-camp brochures and information from camp, share these with your children.

Camp Conversations: Choose your words wisely when you are talking about overnight summer camp. Children are very perceptive, and they feel your concerns and fears. You don’t even have to make a negative comment and they know. Visit your library, rent a movie or pick up books about camp. Watch or read them together. Remember, most of the storylines are exaggerated, but they can be a good segway on how to handle situations at camp.

However, make sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your child sends. If they seem put off by the books or videos, then drop the subject. Most importantly, make sure that you never use camp as a threat or in anger. It’s important that you never seem like you’re counting the days until your child leaves for camp. The words can linger longer than you think, and it will confuse your child about what camp is supposed to be. Your child should believe that camp is a fun experience and that is why you have chosen it.

Some Dos * Meet the camp director before camp begins.

* Only talk in a positive way, they need to know you trust camp to be a safe, exciting place.

* continue to have sleepovers with family and friends.

* Do continue to have short separations, such as sleepovers with family and friends for good practice.

* Do allow your child to verbalize her concerns, even if they sound silly. You may learn about worries that you can easily resolve.

* Do talk to an experienced camper about the program. He or she can tell you what you will really need to pack, what you can leave at home, and what kids really wear, and do at camp.

Some Don’ts: * Try to keep everything as normal as possible, especially as time gets close to the first day of summer camp.

* Don’t try to squeeze in a family vacation just before camp starts. Plan to be at home for at least five days before your child leaves for camp to provide the comfort of a usual routine.

*Don’t let your child suspect you have concerns about their adjustment to being away from home.

These are just a few ideas on sending your child to Summer Camp. Learn more and visit Summer Camp Advice

About the author: Jeff Lorenz is the director of Swift Nature Camp a non-competitive, Wisconsin Summer Camp that offers a traditional summer camp for Boy and Girls ages 6-15. Campers enjoy camp activities as they learn at this Science Summer Camp.