Homesickness

Homesickness is a normal part of being away at camp. Most first-time campers experience homesick feelings the first few days until they learn the routine and feel comfortable with their counselors and bunk. Our staff is very good at dealing with homesickness and will proactively plan activities in the first few days to help campers adjust to camp life.  

There are several things you can do to help your child avoid homesickness:  

Involve your child:

Make the decision to go to camp together, learn about the camp together, and come to the May Open House together. When it is time to pack for camp, choose clothing and pack together. Prepare letter writing materials with them so they know how to write a letter home.

 Provide some practice time away from home:

Going away for two weeks is a long time for a child who has never been away from home without a parent. Provide opportunities for your child to be away from home for one or two nights with friends or relatives without either of you calling to check in. Remember, you will not be communicating with your child by phone at camp.  The more opportunities your child has to be away from home, the easier it becomes for both of you.

 Talk with your child about homesickness:

Prepare them for homesick feelings by explaining that these are normal feelings that everyone experiences and that homesick feelings go away as they become familiar with camp life and participate in camp activities. Share stories of your first time away from home and how you felt. Assure them that Onas counselors understand and will help them deal with homesickness. Show your confidence in their ability to have a positive experience.

 Don’t make deals for early pick-ups or phone calls:

If you find yourself doing this, it is an indication that your child is not ready for camp. (If you are not sure about your child’s readiness for camp, please contact the Camp Director to discuss your options.) You can tell your child that the Camp Director or Nurse will contact you if your child needs you. This will give them the necessary sense of security that their needs will be met.  

 Have confidence in our ability to help your child:

It is vital that you feel comfortable with your decision to send your child to Camp Onas . Your child will sense your confidence in the camp and this will help them feel comfortable about coming to camp. Rest assured that each camper is important to us and we will work hard to make every camper’s experience a great one. We will contact you if your child is unhappy so that we can work together to find a solution and we are always available for you by phone if you have concerns about your child.

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