Trying new activities and meeting new people at summer camp is a great adventure for many children, but being away from home also can be a fearful experience.
Summer camp builds children’s self-esteem, relationship skills, independence and leadership skills, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The AAP and the NYU Child Study Center offer the following tips for how parents can help prepare their child emotionally for camp and prevent or lessen homesickness:
Involve your child in the process of choosing and preparing for camp.
Work with your child to learn about the camp so that she knows what to expect.
Discuss homesickness openly with your child.
Compare the time your child will spend at camp with previous enjoyable experiences of similar duration that she (or he) may have had.
Have your child practice being away from home by sleeping over at friends’ or relatives’ homes.
Avoid expressing personal doubts or concerns about the experience your child will have.
Avoid making a “pick up plan” with your child because this sets the expectation that she will not like the experience.
Communicate confidence in your child’s ability to handle being away from home.
Make sure the camp is equipped to handle any special medical needs your child may have.
Talk to your pediatrician if you are unsure about whether your child is ready for separation.
© 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics. This Parent Plus may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.
