If you plan ahead and are ready for it, it need not be problem at all. Since the word cannot be used, let’s call it "it."

For you who are new on the camp scene, the "it" is sometimes spoken right out loud by parents. That’s right! In the very presence of the child himself, the parent will even dare to suggest the possibility that their dear little child might become – homesick.

What causes "it"?
A child’s (or teen’s) family is his emotional support. This emotional support is taken for granted until the child finds himself removed from it. "It" can strike at any age (some assume it's just younger children--not true!) "It" can happen even to some of us that are "experienced" at attending events away from home.

For many, camp is his first experience of separation. When at camp, the child may suddenly sense being stranded and alone. The people he is used to having available are not there. PANIC! "I want to go home! I want my mama!"

The feeling itself is quite real. "It" usually hits in the pit of the stomach and takes over the whole being. However, "it" is primarily a mental/emotional problem and not physical. The real solution lies in solving the real problem.

The problem is breaking away from traditional emotional support. The solution is growth toward independence and establishing a new emotional support.

Here’s what to do…
This new support system starts when the child comes into camp.

Make him (or her) feel welcome and never allow him to be lost in the shuffle. Know his name, accept him, show him that you really care.

The day has just ended. It is getting dark. The whole camp family is walking toward their various sleeping quarters. "It" suddenly strikes Karen as she begins to think of her usual night routine at home. Darkness, cabin, trees, sounds, no dogs, no mamma – PANIC! PAIN! TEARS! Then you come along side with a firm arm around the shoulder.

"Karen, wasn’t that a neat story they told us during the workshop today?"

Her mind is in neutral or stalled out on self. "We aren’t finished yet. Lots of girls like the special time we have in the cabin."

Then you go on to dispel her fears by telling her exactly what will happen next. Reassure her of your presence all the time, tell about the funny things that happened last week, talk about that special day coming up tomorrow.

Above all, keep her moving and thinking about camp.

For many children that’s all it will take. The sobs might last until sleep comes. You should step over to her bed after "lights-out" and reassure her of your presence and care.

Never mention or talk about home at all!

The next day, at lunch (because Karen is tired and her resistance is down) "it" starts all over again. Normally, just repeat what you did yesterday. Stall for one more day. "Let’s get through today and then see how we feel." But let me take a step further.

Let’s assume Karen is something of a problem. She starts to make a scene: will not eat, sobs continually, and insists on calling home and getting picked up today.

What to Do with a Camper Who Insists on Calling Home
For the camper who has his mind set on calling home and/or going home, there is one basic approach that rarely fails.

You have already been kind and loving, so now you turn into a mild disciplinarian. With firmness that cannot be doubted, you look straight into those bloodshot, teary eyes and overlook the curled lip, and say: "For your benefit, you CANNOT call home and you are not going home. You'll be so proud of yourself when you get through this! I'll be proud of you too! So dry up those tears and get back with your cabin mates. Tomorrow is going to be a great day!"

This mild "get tough" approach works MUCH more effectively than piles of sympathy. In fact, using the motherly approach will definitely aggravate the problem.

Cutting off all hope of going back to the home support usually forces the child to strengthen himself and stand on his feet in a new context.

Another major help is to guide the camper into helping other campers. This takes the focus off himself. There may be a project or some need that he can meet.

Some counselors are quite effective with this type of reasoning: "I’ve notice that Jim is new at ping pong. You seem rather good. Would you play with him and help him practice?"

If this problem is mishandled, and the child does go home, it may be difficult for the child to try a sleepover camp again.

If we were to take this problem one step further, we would have a totally different problem. Very few children take the "it" problem to an extreme.

Those who do go to an extreme will not eat right, will not listen in meetings, will insist on their own way, will not try to get over it, and will demand they be allowed to phone home.

If you find yourself with such an obstinate child as this, go with him or her to the Director. However, take the child to the camp director only as a last resort! Before you do that, meet with the camp director or other counselors to brain-storm ideas for helping the camper that is "it" to get through it.

In summary, two things bring on the problem of homesickness. The first we have already discussed – an honest problem you can solve by establishing a new emotional support framework with the individual camper.

The second is the parent. With rare exception the really chronically-ill children were preprogrammed by the parents. Parents will bid the child ado with parting promises, such as "I’m as close as the phone. Just call me if you get "it".

Then there was the parent who wrote about how everyone at home missed him,…,"and even the cat misses you." If the parent wants to destroy a child this way, there isn’t much you can do. But try anyway, for the child’s sake.