Technique 6

[speedx5xracer]

Situation Home sick camper/s
Effectiveness from experiences (results vary too much for rating)

This is part 3 of a multipart technique demonstrating the various ways to combat homesickness
This is my only technique to prevent a problem rather than solve it. So you want to reduce the occurrence of homesickness in your unit. This is what I have found to be the most useful. These guidelines are tested and proven at many camps.
1. No Phone calls, promises of phone calls are even entertaining the idea unless it’s a directors choice.
2. Don’t let them read or write letters just before bed.
3. Keep them busy during the day with as little down time as possible.
4. When they start showing signs of homesickness have them write a letter to their parents telling them how fun it is at camp (guide their letter writing by conversation they will write any thing you want ) .

[CAMPFRIEND]

This is by the book. It's great, I hope it helps new counselors!

[speedx5xracer]

well thats my goal to make a resource for new staff and returning staff Im glad you as a director approve.

[code3cadet]

That is good IT works with 99.9 of the homesick kids that I work with. I never try then writeing a letter home I will try it the next camp I work at.

[camper]

a lot of times kids expect to be "homesick" b/c their parents have made the mistake of telling them, "if you're not happy, we'll take you home." so right away it gets it in their heads that there is that option. NEVER EVER mention that option. also, my mom and our directors DO usually give extra phone calls (in addition to the 3 every camper gets) for a kid that is truly homesick. the kid always wonders, "won't the others make fun of me and want extra calls too?" then my mom has to explain to them that the other kids don't WANT extra calls, they don't even care about it! even so, the extra calls are done in secret so no one else knows.
"

[CAMPFRIEND]

a lot of times kids expect to be "homesick" b/c their parents have made the mistake of telling them, "if you're not happy, we'll take you home." so right away it gets it in their heads that there is that option. NEVER EVER mention that option. also, my mom and our directors DO usually give extra phone calls (in addition to the 3 every camper gets) for a kid that is truly homesick. the kid always wonders, "won't the others make fun of me and want extra calls too?" then my mom has to explain to them that the other kids don't WANT extra calls, they don't even care about it! even so, the extra calls are done in secret so no one else knows.
"

I love when parents do that. It makes our life so much fun, but it's not fair for the camper. Who can they have fun if all they want to do is go home. I love parents!;)

[rockinsmiles]

Yeah ive never ever told a camper they can go home...im not the one to make the dicission so why make the promise? and if they truely truely want to go home it is up to the director and the camper's parents (the camper doesnt ever talk to the parent about coming home the director does that).

[CAMPFRIEND]

Yeah ive never ever told a camper they can go home...im not the one to make the dicission so why make the promise? and if they truely truely want to go home it is up to the director and the camper's parents (the camper doesnt ever talk to the parent about coming home the director does that).

Rockinsmiles, your right. One thing to new staff. If you want to stay on your camp directors good side never tell the campers that the director will let the child call home.. That is a big no no. I have had more staff over the years do that to get the kid to stop crying for the night and the next day had campers hunt me down telling me that their counselor said that I would let them call home.