According to research conducted by the American Camp Association, as many as 96% of campers experience some form of homesickness at some time during a two week summer camp experience. It is perfectly normal to feel “homesick” when away from home! Fortunately, at NEMC, we have years of experience helping campers (and yes, parents too!) adjust to being away from home. While we know what works at camp, there are many things that you can do before coming to camp to help the transition and prevent or minimize feelings of homesickness.

1. Include your child in the decision making process when choosing a summer camp. Look through websites and brochures and encourage your child to point out things he/she thinks they’d like or not like about a specific camp. Since NEMC enrolls campers age 11-18, many of our campers find our website on their own while searching for a summer music camp. We find that campers who are encouraged to communicate with us and to ask questions via phone or email are less likely to become homesick. Getting to know our campers and families prior to camp time is helpful in so many ways.

2. Practice If your child has never spent a night away from home try scheduling a “practice” weekend with a family member or friend. Talk about any concerns beforehand and then discuss how it went and how it might compare to an extended overnight camp stay.

3. Discuss what to expect. We provide a sample daily schedule HERE and we also provide a calendar that describes special events and evening activities HERE. Go over the schedules with your child and talk about possible challenges and ways to overcome them. Having a clear picture of what their days and weeks will be like can often eliminate ” of the unknown”.

4. Discuss what to do. What if your child does become homesick? What if they have a disagreement with a cabin-mate? Discussing these scenarios beforehand and letting your child know that their counselors are caring individuals who are trained to address any situation that arises helps us to foster strong trusting relationships in a short period of time.

5. Packing/Planning. We recently sent out a parent/camper letter (you can access that letter HERE) that provides all the information you and your child will need to prepare for your arrival and stay at camp. Read this letter with your child and go over the packing list. Allow your child shop with you for anything you may need to purchase. Being involved in the process will help your child feel comfortable later as they unpack and begin their camp routine.

6. At Camp… We truly believe that the overnight camp experience is one of the most important life experiences you can give your child. The growth your child will experience during their time at camp will impact their life for years to come. As parents, it can be very difficult for us to be away from our child but you’ve done your homework and you’ve chosen a camp that takes counselor training very seriously. Still, what should you do if you think or know that your child may feel home sick?

• Don’t tell your child to call home within the first week of camp! Our experience has proven that campers who immerse themselves in camp life will feel little or no homesickness. If I child does feel homesick, taking time out to call home can stir up their discomfort, and that of yours! Keep in mind that a child will often embellish their feelings when speaking to a parent. Often, the same child that reports having made no friends has just come from the canteen where they shared a milkshake with their cabin mates!

• If your child does call home and says that they are homesick keep the call short and encourage them to speak to their counselors for help adjusting. Use the counselors as a resource. If you have any concerns you can call and check in with the head counselors, Dave and Heather, or your child’s counselors at any time. We will observe how your child is doing and report back to you so that you can be assured that they are OK. Again, this experience is an opportunity for your child to learn independence in a safe and nurturing environment. Your patience in allowing them the time to adjust is a gift that will last them a lifetime.

• No news Is good news!! Don’t worry if you do not hear from your child during the first week of camp. Really, no news is good news. We work very hard to plan a busy, challenging, and fun-filled camp experience. Busy campers are happy campers!

Have you ever experienced homesickness? Have questions? Leave them in the comment section and we’ll answer them!