Thinking of sending your child to summer camp? But what about Homesickness? You don't have to be a camper suffer from homesickness. A strange, new place can trigger separation anxiety. It is a normal part of childhood for many kids. It is evidence of the loving, trusting relationship you have built with your child and therefor, separation for the first time often is scary.
A Summer Camp provides separation followed by a reunion. Yet, emotionally, it can be difficult to accept especially for children. Early on while adjusting to a new environment and living with new folks, children can get overwhelmed and even scared. Kids who enjoy new adventures and love sleepovers with friends may experience homesickness but usually it is limited.
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
Anxiety can cause the least rational reactions in children as well as adults. Homesickness is a temporary feeling that can over come with adult support. The benefits of overcomes homesickness are enormous It increases self-confidence and self esteem. Don't give up when you get that letter saying come pick me up I hate it here. Instead call the camp director and discuss how they might be able to help 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.
Should you make the decision to go get your child, try and work it out with the camp director. Feelings of failure may arise so you need to support your child. Save the evaluation for a week or so after camp, when you sort out what went went wrong with the experience. Help your child to understand that even though the camp experience was disappointing, he is not a failure because things were learned. Assure let your child confidence in him and a different program may be better in the future.
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 SLEEPAWAY CAMP that is designed only for first time camper. This 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. With a limited amount of campers and 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 guide for HomeSickness
A Summer Camp provides separation followed by a reunion. Yet, emotionally, it can be difficult to accept especially for children. Early on while adjusting to a new environment and living with new folks, children can get overwhelmed and even scared. Kids who enjoy new adventures and love sleepovers with friends may experience homesickness but usually it is limited.
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
Anxiety can cause the least rational reactions in children as well as adults. Homesickness is a temporary feeling that can over come with adult support. The benefits of overcomes homesickness are enormous It increases self-confidence and self esteem. Don't give up when you get that letter saying come pick me up I hate it here. Instead call the camp director and discuss how they might be able to help 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.
Should you make the decision to go get your child, try and work it out with the camp director. Feelings of failure may arise so you need to support your child. Save the evaluation for a week or so after camp, when you sort out what went went wrong with the experience. Help your child to understand that even though the camp experience was disappointing, he is not a failure because things were learned. Assure let your child confidence in him and a different program may be better in the future.
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 SLEEPAWAY CAMP that is designed only for first time camper. This 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. With a limited amount of campers and 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 guide for HomeSickness
About the Author:
About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of Swift Nature Camp a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp. This Illinois Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 promotes Nature, Animals & Science along with Adventure activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as Adventure Teen Summer Camp Programs.
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