Going to overnight camp for the first time is typically thought of as a right of passage. Often it is a child's first time away from the family. Children look at camp in two ways. Most are excited to go and embrace the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun. While others may not understand the wonderful opportunities and fun that camp provides and are reluctant to go, wondering why their parents would suggest that they leave home. With a little guidance from parents campers can be excited about the opportunity to go to camp.

One of the best ways to overcome this anxiety is to have children take an active role in selecting a camp. Give the child a feeling of empowerment over the situation. As they are looking at videos or brochures stay involved in the process; asking your son or daughter what it is they are looking for? Why they like one over another? Feel free to point out activities or attributes that you think are important.

One of the best ways to reduce homesickness is to look for a small camp, with a high ratio of staff to campers, this way your camper will receive ample attention. For example Swift Nature Camp has less than 100 campers and has one staff member per 4 campers.

Often parents are reluctant to send their child because they feel their child is too young. As long as children are supported in a kind, caring environment, their ability to overcome homesickness has no age limit. At Swift Nature Camp we often see younger campers do better than older campers. Frequently this is because younger campers don't feel as connected to their peer group back home. A few years ago I remember a younger brother (7) saying to his older homesick brother (12) "Don't worry bro, we are going to have fun this summer", when his older brother was feeling a little homesick.

The time one can spend at camp varies from 1 week to 8 weeks. Homesickness can be effected by that time away. Too short a time and campers only count the days till their parents come and pick them up, never working through the situation. Too long and they can become bored or revert back into homesickness. At Swift Nature Camp our programs are 3 weeks, which we believe to be the perfect length to gain independence and not feel abandoned.

While at camp, homesickness can be reduced by giving campers a structured environment with very little down time. Yet homesickness can happen. During those time at Swift Nature Camp we give those children the extra attention they are looking for. We also encourage them to write home. This allows them to express their feelings, and therefore move through their homesickness rather than getting stuck.

Our goal as parents is to support our children and to encourage them to grow and be caring members of society. To do this we must embrace homesickness for it is is a normal feeling, one that we all have, even I get a little homesick while at camp. After all, homesickness only helps to strengthen our feelings for those we love and are connected too.