Symptoms
Being withdrawn from your group is a symptom of homesickness true or false?
True
Name the most prevalent trigger of homesickness.
Downtime where the child has time to think about home
Is homesickness a normal feeling?
YES!
What should you do during downtime?
Fill the gap! Play a game, start a conversation, get everyone involved so they feel a part of the group!
How can you normalize the feeling of homesickness?
Let them know everyone misses home sometimes, maybe give an example of when you missed home.
Your child has had plenty of water, just ate a balanced lunch and slept well last night, they are complaining of a stomach, is this real or homesickness most likely?
Most likely homesickness
How does disruption to a normal routine trigger homesickness?
It dysregulate kiddos, reminds them of how their schedule is at home and how camp is different, and different can be hard.
Is homesickness sometimes caused by stress or separation anxiety?
yup!
How should you use rest time/Siesta?
Use it give quieter kiddos the opportunity to reset. Play quite games or read books by themselves.
When campers feel dysregulated or like their needs aren't being met, that can trigger homesickness. How can you make sure their needs are being met?
Ask questions such as:
Is the camper well rested?
Are they hydrated?
Do they have enough to eat?
Do they have the materials they need to be successful at camp?
Is there anything that is preventing them from having a good time that you can fix?
Are they clean/showered?
Camp says the don't enjoy any aspect of camp, and they are having difficulty sleeping at night, is this average homesickness or more severe?
more severe
Lack or getting letters or mail when other campers do can trigger homesickness true or false?
true
Can it happen at any age?
Yes! I often see it happening the most with 10-12 year old boys who have never been away from home.
How should you establish a relationship with your camper?
Ask them questions, share about yourself, show interest in their interest. Having a relationship with a trusted adult makes kids feel safe!
Wallowing makes everyone feel worse, what are some ways to mange wallowing?
Give them a time frame.
Tell them you understand them, and if they need a minute that's ok, but you will be playing else where.
Redirect: bring up a fun activity in the afternoon, remind them of something they liked earlier, or ask them questions about themselves.
Campers says their parent said, "they only have to make it to Tuesday", is this helpful or harmful?
Harmful
Its going to storm during the night, how might this impact your campers?
Might make them homesick if they are afraid of storms. Facing fears with out the security blanket that is your parents can be scary.
Is homesickness a mental illness?
No, but if campers are struggling with their mental health homesickness could be exasperated.
It helps orient campers to camp, and helps them to feel in control of their surroundings.
Why is it imporant to follow through?
You are their trusted adult, and if you cant follow through to bring them a piece of paper to write a letter, or check back in with them when you said you would, then your actions are saying you don't care about them that much.
Camper is in a continuous anxious state, and has been for 2 days, what should you do?
talk with a coordinator.
What are ways to make campers not feel triggered?
Play games to fill downtime, make sure campers know what they are doing and when so they feel empowered, talk with them, ask them questions about themselves so they feel like you care.
Should campers be ashamed of homesickness or be mad to feel bad about it?
Nope!
What is one of the easiest ways to help campers feel connected to their parents/home?
Have them write a letter!
What are ways to stop/prevent a homesickness outbreak?
Don't let the camper cry out or draw all the attention to them.
provide set letter writing times
Help campers wind down between activities
utilize your team! Ask a coordinator or another staff