With this week being kids week, this is a perfect time to discuss campers and homesickness! For a lot of our campers, this week is their first week being away from home for so long. It is normal for them to feel sad or overwhelmed the first day or two. Our staff does a great job in helping campers who are missing home or who are unfamiliar with being away from their family for so long.
The first night and day are always the hardest. At this point, the campers are still unfamiliar with Camp and don’t know if this is the right fit for them. Once we start activities and they get to know the other campers and staff better, they start to feel better. Something else that helps is the fact the campers are always doing something keeping them busy.
Once the week goes on, most campers forget all about their feeling of homesickness. Between the connections they’re making and the activities they are participating in, it is hard for them to have time to think about how much they miss home! It is so amazing to see how the campers grow with their homesickness and almost fully let go of it by the end of the week.
Our staff is also incredible when combatting homesickness! They are so kind and caring when comforting campers who feel homesick. Having someone to talk to and show your emotions to helps the campers so much. This helps them feel seen and heard which is sometimes all they need to feel better!
Being away from home for a whole week is something hard for almost anyone, especially kids. But seeing them be so brave and overcoming their fears is so special! Over the week, they grow so much and end up having the best time of their life! We love watching the campers go outside of their shell and truly embrace all Camp ASCCA has to offer!
To see photos from kids week, click here!
