Dealing With Homesickness: Strategies For Campers And Counselors

Homesickness is a common issue for campers, with 97% of children experiencing at least some homesick feelings at camp. It's important to remember that homesickness is normal and that everyone deals with it at some point. As a parent or counsellor, there are several strategies you can use to help a homesick camper. Firstly, it's crucial to involve the camper in the decision to attend camp and assure them that nothing significant will happen at home while they are away. Familiarising the camper with the camp environment and staff beforehand can also help ease their anxiety. During camp, it's important to keep campers busy with activities and encourage them to connect with peers and trusted adults. Reassuring them that their feelings are valid and that their parents want them to have fun can also help alleviate homesickness.

Encourage campers to connect with peers or trusted adults

Encouraging campers to connect with their peers and trusted adults is a great way to overcome homesickness. Campers can be reassured that it is normal to miss home, but that they can still have fun at camp. Reminding them that their parents would want them to have fun and succeed at camp can be a great way to get them back on track.

One way to encourage campers to connect with their peers is to ask another camper who has overcome homesickness to chat with the homesick camper and offer advice. Children tend to speak their own language, and hearing it from another kid who has 'been there and done that' might do the trick. Campers can also be encouraged to make connections with older campers who were once in their shoes. This can help build their self-confidence and make them feel important.

Another way to encourage connections is to have a "camp mom" volunteer. The camp mom can spend time with homesick campers, read stories to them, and play games with them. This takes some of the stress off the counsellors, allowing them to focus on the other campers.

It is also important to remind campers that counsellors and staff members are there to help and care about them and how they are feeling. Campers should be encouraged to find an adult they can trust and share their feelings of loneliness or homesickness with.

Distract them with fun camp activities

Keeping homesick campers busy with fun activities is a great way to distract them from their worries and help them feel better. Here are some ideas to help you do that:

Organise Fun Activities

Plan a range of engaging and interactive activities to keep campers occupied and their minds off homesickness. This could include games, sports, arts and crafts, or even a friendly competition. These activities should be exciting and enjoyable, allowing campers to have fun, make friends, and create positive memories of camp.

Connect Them with Others

Encourage campers to connect with their peers and build friendships. Homesickness often stems from a sense of loneliness, so helping campers find a buddy or a group they can relate to can make a big difference. They can participate in activities together, share stories, and support each other.

Share Stories and Memories

Storytelling can be a powerful tool to take campers' minds off homesickness. Organise storytelling sessions, either with counsellors or fellow campers, where they can share fun, light-hearted stories or even make up their own. This helps build a sense of community and takes the focus away from missing home.

Establish Bedtime Routines

Bedtime can be a challenging time for homesick campers, so establishing calming and consistent bedtime routines is essential. This could include reading a bedtime story, having a comforting snack, or doing a fun activity to wind down. A calm and relaxed bedtime routine can help ease their worries and set them up for a good night's sleep.

Create Special Moments

Plan special events or activities that are unique to the camp experience. This could be a themed day, a campfire night, a talent show, or a scavenger hunt. These special moments create lasting memories and give campers something exciting to look forward to and talk about.

Remember, the key is to keep campers engaged, entertained, and supported. By providing a variety of fun activities and a sense of community, you can help distract homesick campers from their worries and create a positive and enjoyable camp experience.

Reassure them that it's normal to miss home

Reassuring a homesick camper that their feelings are normal is a crucial step in helping them overcome their homesickness. Here are some ways to do this:

Validate their feelings

Let the camper know that it's okay and normal to miss home. This will help them feel understood and less alone in their feelings. It is important to create a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express their emotions. You can say something like, "I understand that you feel homesick, and that's completely normal and okay." This validation can go a long way in helping the camper feel better.

Share your own experiences

Share your own experiences of homesickness or times when you felt sad or homesick as an adult. This can help the camper feel less alone and more connected to you. It also models for them that it's okay to talk about their feelings and that they will get through this difficult time. You could say, "I know how you feel because I've felt homesick before too. It's totally normal, and it will pass."

Provide perspective

Help the camper understand that their feelings of homesickness don't have to stop them from also having fun at camp. They can feel both at the same time. Encourage them to focus on the positive aspects of camp and remind them that their parents want them to have fun and succeed. You can say, "It's totally normal to miss home, but that doesn't mean you can't also have fun here. I bet your parents want you to make the most of your time at camp and enjoy all the exciting activities."

Encourage connection

Encourage the camper to connect with others at camp, such as peers or trusted adults. Feeling supported and understood by others can help reduce feelings of homesickness. You can suggest they confide in a friend or counsellor, or even another camper who has overcome homesickness and can offer advice and support. Having someone to talk to and relate to can make a big difference in how they feel.

Remember that every child is different, and it's important to tailor your approach to their individual needs. With patience, empathy, and these strategies, you can help reassure a homesick camper that their feelings are normal and manageable.

Establish a bedtime routine

Bedtime can be the most difficult time of day for homesick campers. To help ease the transition, it is important to establish a bedtime routine. Here are some ideas to consider:

Firstly, involve your camper in the packing process and include items that are comforting and remind them of home. This could be a photograph, a favourite book or music, a special blanket, or a cherished stuffed animal. These items can help provide a sense of familiarity and security at bedtime.

Next, establish a consistent bedtime routine. This could include changing into pyjamas, having a snack, brushing teeth, and a calm, light-hearted activity such as a bedtime story or a group reflection on the positive experiences of the day. A consistent routine helps create a sense of structure and predictability, which can be comforting for children.

Additionally, encourage your camper to connect with others. Homesickness often stems from feeling lonely or missing social connections from home. Before bedtime, encourage your camper to spend time with friends or counsellors, perhaps by sharing stories or playing games. Knowing that they have people they can rely on and talk to can help reduce feelings of homesickness.

Furthermore, consider reading a bedtime story or playing a calming piece of music. This can help distract your camper from feelings of homesickness and provide a sense of comfort and relaxation. Choose stories or music that are light-hearted and avoid anything that might be scary or upsetting.

Finally, maintain open communication. Encourage your camper to express their feelings and let them know it's normal to miss home. Reassure them that their feelings are valid and that you are there to support them. It's important to create a safe and non-judgmental space for your camper to share their emotions.

Encourage letter writing

Encouraging letter writing is a great way to help a homesick camper. Firstly, it is important to normalise the feeling of homesickness. Let the camper know that it is normal to miss home, but that they can still have fun at camp. Reassure them that their parents want them to have fun and succeed at camp. It can be helpful to ask another camper who has overcome homesickness to chat with the homesick camper and share their experiences.

Writing a letter home can be a great way for a camper to express their feelings. Encourage them to write about the things they are proud of accomplishing, the new activities they have tried, and the friends they have made. They can also include some of the things they miss about being at home. It is important to remind the camper that their feelings are valid and that it is okay to feel sad sometimes.

If the camper is very young, they may prefer to draw a picture for their parents instead of writing a letter. You can also suggest that they include a favourite TV show or character in their letter and imagine themselves as that character, making new choices and having new experiences.

It is a good idea to establish a routine around letter writing. For example, you could suggest that the camper writes a letter every evening before bedtime, or during a designated rest hour. This can help the camper feel more connected to their family and provide a sense of comfort.

As a counsellor, you can also write letters to the camper's parents, updating them on their child's progress and experiences at camp. This can help ease any worries the parents may have and create a sense of partnership in supporting the camper through their homesickness.

• "Your child's feelings are normal, and it is okay for them to feel sad sometimes."
• "Even though your child may not feel like they can do this, I know they can. I have confidence in them and know that they will face this challenge and do great at camp."
• "I know your child feels miserable right now, and I am sorry this is so hard for them."
• "Camp is a great place for your child to be and they are having so much fun. They are trying new activities, making friends, and learning valuable skills."
• "The more your child participates and gets involved, the better they will feel. Encourage them to keep trying and remind them that you are proud of their efforts."

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