Advice for Beating the Homesick Blues
By Doug McPherson
Rocky Mountain News , Feb. 19, 2007
Ninty percent of campers feel some level of homesickness, and 20 percent feel it so badly that it can ruin their entire camp experience.
Tips from Peg L. Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association in Martinsville, Ind., and Jeff Dolgan, chief of psychology at Children's Hospital in Denver, for easing homesickness:
• Explain that homesickness is normal and that they can write letters home.
• Visit the camp beforehand, if feasible. If not, visit the camp's Web site to build familiarity.
• Pack something that symbolizes the family, a picture or an audio tape, to keep them connected.
• Pack stamped, addressed envelopes and paper for letters home.
• Use a calendar to show the exact time away, to add predictability and perspective.
• Don't make a deal to bring children home if they don't like camp.
• Finally, know whether your children are really ready for a separation.
