Whether your youngster is able-bodied or has some kind of disability, his or her first camping experience can be a very traumatic (and sometimes scary) thing. This feeling is perfectly normal, because for most of these anxious kiddies, this is their first time away from home (and from mom and dad) that extends longer than an overnight at a friend’s house.
Easy Ways to Ease Their Fears
Being dropped off at camp, your leave-taking, and the first couple of hours without you present are likely going to be the most traumatic for your child. After that, kids usually get into the swing of things once they realize all of the fun things the counselors have in store.
Here are some things to do and tell them in preparation for camp (and on the drive there) that will hopefully wash their fears away:
• It’s inevitable that children will at some point experience pangs of homesickness while at camp. This is unavoidable. But what you can do is pack a stack of pre-stamped envelopes in their luggage, so they can write you whenever they feel lonely. Tell them that writing will help them feel better, and make sure to tell them how excited and happy you’ll be each time you receive a letter.
• Tell them it’s okay to be sad and miss home, but follow that up by telling them, “Just because you miss home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time away from home.” Be sure to reiterate that their feelings of homesickness will subside.
• This might seem obvious, but be sure to tell them all of the fun things they’ll be able to do at camp: things they’d NEVER be able to do at home if they didn’t go. If they have a disability, explain how all of the adapted activities at camp (sit-skiing, adapted horseback riding, etc) are amazing opportunities for them to learn fun new skills and would be impossible to do anywhere but there.
• Compliment them on their bravery to go to camp. Plan to reward them with a special dinner or gift the day they return. Make a point of telling them about that gift/dinner before you drop them off at camp, so they can look forward to it. This may sound like borderline bribery—and maybe it is—but if it gets your very scared child through that first time at camp, it’ll be worth it. After that first camp experience, your child will surely want to go back.
• Whatever you do, don’t get weepy-eyed yourself, even if your child does. You must show confidence that he will do just fine. When you’re confident that everything will be okay, your child will be too.
• If the camp allows it, schedule a few times a week when your child can call home. Make sure not to dwell on how much you miss him or talk about all the things he’s missing at home. Instead, ask about all the things he has been doing and express how proud you are of him and how excited you are for him to have such fun adventures.
