How We Support Campers Through Homesickness
One of the biggest questions we hear from families leading up to summer is “What happens if my child feels homesick?”
The short answer (and good news!) is: it’s something we expect, we prepare for, and we support campers through every step of the way.
Homesickness Is a Normal, Healthy Part of the Camp Process
At camp, we talk openly about homesickness with both campers and staff. It’s not something we try to avoid or “fix” right away, rather it’s something we help campers move through.
Research, including insights from the book Homesick and Happy, reminds us that homesickness is a natural part of growing independence. In many ways, it is kind of like a grief process: a child is temporarily separated from what feels familiar, comfortable, and secure.
When a camper is feeling this way we remind them that it’s okay to feel homesick, because it means they have something at home that they really love worth missing – and that’s a good thing!
When Homesickness Tends to Show Up
Homesickness usually doesn’t happen all day long.
Most often we see it appear during quieter downtimes, like mealtimes, rest hour and bedtime. During these times campers aren’t as actively distracted like during their activities, so their thoughts naturally drift back to home.
Because of this, we’re especially intentional about noticing campers’ feelings and providing support during these parts of the day
How We Prepare Our Staff
Before our campers arrive to camp, all staff undergo a week of orientation and training. During that time we talk through what homesickness can look like, practice validating language, and review strategies for both mild and more persistent homesickness.
Supporting Campers
One thing we’re keenly aware of is there’s not a “one size fits all” approach to homesickness, so we focus on tailoring our approach based on both age and individual needs.
Some of the most effective ways we support campers include:
Consistent, Predictable Routines: We know children feel more secure when they know what to expect. Our structured daily schedule and morning/bedtime routines in the bunks helps to create a sense of stability and comfort, even in a new environment.
Setting Smaller Goals: Sometimes the idea of being away from home for the whole session can feel overwhelming for a child in the midst of homesickness, so rather than thinking about being away for one or two weeks, we might encourage a camper to focus on getting through the morning, making it to the next activity, or reaching a part of the day like dinner or bedtime. These small, measurable goals help campers build confidence in piece by piece, and reassure them that they’re being supported and regularly checked in on throughout the day.
Comforts and Connection
For younger campers, this might look like:
Being loaned an extra stuffed animal
Extra hugs
Being read or sung to before bed
Being tucked in at night
For older campers, support may look different:
1:1 conversation time with a counselor. Sometimes the most important thing staff can do is simply sit with a camper and listen to them without rushing them past what they’re feeling.
A counselor sharing their own personal experience with homesickness
Staff helping to connect two homesick campers so they can support one another and feel less alone
What Progress Typically Looks Like
For most campers, homesickness peaks within the first few days, gradually lessens as they build connections and confidence, and finally, evolves into a sense of place and belonging. This shift often happens sooner than families expect.
When We Provide Additional Support
If a camper’s homesickness is more persistent or acute, rest assured we at camp will take a more involved approach.
This includes:
Counselors notifying the leadership team and camp director
Staff at camp will keep families informed about how their child is doing
Partnering with families to support the camper from both sides. In some cases, we ask a parent or guardian to write an encouraging letter. This allows the camper to feel supported not just by camp, but by home as well, creating a strong, unified support system.
In Summary
We know that standing by through this process requires a great deal of trust from families. Sending your child to camp, especially if it’s their first time away, is a big step. We’re grateful for the trust you place in us to support your child through these moments, and we approach that responsibility and trust with care, intention, and thoughtful experience.
In the end, our ultimate goal is that on the other side of homesickness, our campers will leave with a deeper confidence in their abilities and pride in their ability to cope and thrive, even when facing challenging emotions.