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Ideas to Help Your Homesick
Campers Feel More at Home
Don't
let their first experience from home be a camp experience.
Most camps go almost a week long. Try having them be away
at grandparent's houses, other relatives' or friends'
homes prior to camp. Let the shorter experiences of being
away from home help build the longer ones.
Encourage
them to get involved in the activities and meet at least
one new person a day. Time will go by faster if
they are busy and making new friends.
Find
out if the camp has a mail service. If it does,
mail letters before camp begins so they are sure to have
mail the first day. One camper said her mother sent postcards
every day she was at camp. The postcards didn't say much,
just simply, "I love you," signed Mom.
Have
children pick out their favorite pictures of the family.
Spend time together making a special "camp collage"
before they leave. This way they can take some memories
with them and be proud that they made it.
Send
them to a camp where they will be able to go with a friend.
Make arrangements with the camp director to have them
share a tent or a cabin. It will be easier for a child
to not be homesick if they are with a good friend.
Leave
little notes for your child in pockets of clothing and
other places where they can get a surprise message.
Encourage
them to make a memory book or have a memory jar.
They can write down things they see, draw pictures or
collect bugs and leaves. Tell them you want to hear all
about their camping when they get home.
Let
them know that it is OK to be homesick and OK to away
from home.
Express your love to them and give them the added security
that they are seeking.
Have
them look for other children who might be struggling as
well, and encourage them to forget about themselves by
serving others.
Send
them with little wrapped gifts.
They can have a gift for every day they are gone.
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