12 year old DS homesick at camp.

[Anonymous]

He's homesick and has 18 more days to go. Any suggestions for how to help from a distance?

[Anonymous]

He needs to make friends with a counselor who he can talk to about this. They're used to it and can help him through with a combo of talking to him and distracting him.

[Anonymous]

How long has he been there and how do you communicate with him? I would say lots of care packages, minimal calls.

[Anonymous]

He'll get over it...just needs to get engaged in activities. Your letters from home should talk about how hot and gross it is and how none of his friend are around. Really boring.

[Anonymous]

My son sent a homesick letter a few years ago. I emailed the director and he checked with my son's counselor who had a chat with him. He wasn't desperately homesick but didn't like one of his activities and thought he was stuck in it for 2 weeks. He switched after the first week and was fine. Just email the director. They've dealt with it a million times before. Just don't overreact. My son barely remembers the letter he sent me.

[Anonymous]

How many days in is he? I was scampi counselor for many many years and the vast majority of kids were fine after the first week. Peak home sickness was was a few days in.

[Anonymous]

Read "homesick and happy"

[Anonymous]

OP did you receive this info in a letter? Remember that if you did, he was writing in a moment a few days ago and is probably in a different place now. I would call camp, tell them DS has said he is homesick in a letter and ask if they can check in with him. Counselors receive a LOT of training on how to deal with kids who are having a rough time. I have a 10 1/2 yo DS and an 8 1/2 yo DD. This is DS's third Summer of overnight camp, and DD's second. Both were weepy the first few nights their first time, but with support from their counselors, did great and couldn't wait to go back.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. He told me over the phone, yesterday. I'll reach out to his counselors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the feedback. He told me over the phone, yesterday. I'll reach out to his counselors.

Why are you talking to him on the phone? Letters are your friend.

[Anonymous]

Op, no one has said this, but it's okay if you end up having to bring your son home early. Happened to us with one of our boys after we tried working with the counselor to get him to tough it out. We initially felt sad, as in why were so many other kids able to make it through, but not ours. What was wrong with our kid, etc. After having some time to reflect, we realized that each kid is different and that many are not built for sleep away camp. I actually hated sleep away camp as a kid, so don't know why I was so initially surprised that one of mine did also. If that happens to you, don't sweat it.