Camp provides children with the opportunity to have new experiences, get active, make new friends, and learn in a low-pressure environment. Here, we highlight some of the benefits of sending your child to camp, how to fight homesickness and choose the right camp for your camper, plus a few tips for packing.
Summertime Sadness: Combatting Homesickness
For some campers, fun and games are put on pause as they start to experience symptoms of homesickness. This is normal and can be mitigated with a few tips and tricks:
- Keep The Camper Busy. It is hard to think about missing home when you’re flying down a waterslide or making bracelets with new camp friends. Make sure to encourage your camper to take part in all the activities, even if they’re feeling a little off.
- Pack a Familiar Item. Have the camper be involved in packing their bag, and include a sentimental item that they can hold on to or use when homesickness kicks in.
- Practice Makes Perfect. Having kids spend time away from home can help them get used to the feeling. Staying with family and friends overnight can help them develop independence and enjoy camp, even if they’re missing home.
- Encourage Them to Stay. Parents may be tempted to say “you can come home early if you don’t like it,” but this is often more harmful than encouraging, as the camper will often lean into this and not feel encouraged to stay at camp. Let them know homesickness is normal and they will get through these temporary emotions.
- Promote Making New Connections. Camp friends are a great way to combat homesickness, as they can be both a distraction and a comfort.
- Remain Positive. Remind your camper of the new friends they will make, new skills they will learn, and all the fun they can have along the way.
- Help Preparedness. Nerves often come from facing the unknown or unexpected. If you can find photos or a map of the camp online, or find someone who has been to the camp before who can talk to your child, this may help ease some of the anxiety around going to a new place for the first time.
- Stay Connected. A hand-written note, email, or even care package can go a long way in alleviating homesickness.
Pack Your Bags!
Helping your child pack for overnight camp can feel overwhelming, especially if they are a first-timer. Here are a few tips to tackle the task:
1. Consult the List. Many camps will share a suggested packing list for your camper to help you stay organized. This might include essential items the camper will definitely need (like a swimsuit and toothbrush) and optional items to enhance their experience (such as mosquito netting or their favorite comfort item). If you’re not provided a list, reach out to the camp to get recommendations, or look online for suggestions.
2. Pack Together. Packing with your camper allows them to feel like they also have a say in what goes in their bag, while still allowing you to cross the necessities off your checklist. This also may help them feel more confident going to camp knowing they’ve picked out their own items.
2. Start Early. There’s nothing more stressful than realizing you forgot to grab extra sunscreen at the store on the night before dropping off your camper. Getting a head start gives you extra time to ensure you have all the items needed, and time to order any items you prefer to get online.
3. Talk it Out. Once you start to pack their bag, camp might feel more “real” to your camper, especially if it’s their first time going away. Packing is a great time to discuss any camping nerves and provide encouragement, reminding them of all the fun activities they will do and new friends they will meet.
Bonus Tip: Use a permanent marker to label your camper’s items with their name or initials to help campers and staff find lost goods.
Choosing the Right Camp
With a variety of camp options for your child, from overnight camp to sports camps and more, it may feel overwhelming trying to decide the right fit. Here are tips to help you and your camper decide where to go:
Preference – Your child may show interest in several different types of camp. Involve them in decision making by asking which style of camp they think they would enjoy most or get the most out of.
Convenience – Overnight camps tend to be further away from home, but involve one pick up and drop off versus more back and forth required for a day camp. However, your child’s school will likely host day camps on campus, which may already be in close proximity to your home. Consider the commute times and distances when deciding between the options.
Readiness – Your camper may express nerves when considering staying overnight at camp. It’s up to you and your camper to determine their readiness for the kind of camp experience they would like.
Budget – Making a budget sheet and comparing options can be helpful when considering costs for camp. Some camps may also offer payment plans, allowing you to split the cost rather than paying in full up front.
Goals – Maybe your child is wanting to try out for the high school soccer team and is hoping to sharpen their skills at a camp this summer. Or they’ve shown an interest in drama and are looking into local theatre camps. Goals and interests are a great starting place when deciding between camps.
Benefits by the Numbers
You may know your child enjoys camp and comes home with many stories and newly acquired skills, but have you ever wondered what they may really be getting out of the experience? Researchers at The University of Waterloo observed and recorded more than 1,200 campers to understand how they experience personal development during camp.
The results indicated that that all campers experienced five areas of positive growth:
- Attitudes toward physical activity
- Emotional intelligence
- Social integration and citizenship
- Personal development and self-confidence
- Environmental awareness
The results also revealed that there was a greater positive change in children who stayed at camp for a longer period of time, and that these positive developments continued at home, with parents and guardians observing positive changes in campers after returning home.
As the American Camp Association points out, these skills are associated with well-being and are critical in all stages of life, helping kids navigate school, the workplace, relationships, and even their mental health, in the future. Camps are a great opportunity to learn in a low-pressure environment, build and maintain supportive relationships, and foster social skills like problem-solving, empathy, and resilience.
Meet the Author
Kristen Dee, BS, MA, Summa Cum Laude
Kristen Dee is a graduate of Winthrop University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in integrated marketing communications, with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude and IMC Student of the Year. Following Winthrop, Kristen earned a Master of Arts in Communication from Wake Forest University. Prior to joining CMC Publications as editor, Kristen successfully fulfilled roles involving internal corporate communications. Today, Kristen leads ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
