Each summer, there are a few campers who may experience homesickness. This is entirely normal, and our staff is trained to identify homesickness and to assist your camper positively.
If your child experiences homesickness at camp, our team follows a thoughtful approach to help them adjust to their new environment. We focus on encouraging connections with cabinmates, helping them find activities they enjoy, and supporting their emotional well-being. Typically, campers begin to feel more comfortable after a day or two. If your child continues to struggle, we will reach out to you with an update on their progress, what we have observed, and how we are working to support them.
Please note:While it may seem helpful, allowing a camper to call home often intensifies homesickness and can lead to requests to leave camp early. For this reason, we generally avoid phone calls home unless necessary.
If your camper appears upset at drop-off and you do not hear from us, please take comfort in knowing that no news is good news, and it likely means that they are settling in well.
How can you help?
- We find that the best way to assist with homesickness before camp is to help prepare your child for camp.
- Please talk with your child about their upcoming camp experience, including activities to look forward to, new friendships, cabin leaders, and the trip. Let them know that you are excited for these new opportunities.
- Talk with your child about his/her upcoming camp experience: activities to look forward to, new friendships, cabin leaders, trip, etc. Let them know that you are excited for these new opportunities.
- Pray with your child for their time at camp, their cabin leaders, cabin mates they know or are about to meet.
- It is okay to let your child know that you will miss them while they are away. BUT be sure to communicate your excitement for them.
- Try to have your child spend a night away from home before coming to camp. Whether that is at a friend’s house, or Grandma and Grandpa’s, this night away helps provide confidence and helps you talk through what went well, how they were feeling, and what they may need while at camp.