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HOMESICKNESS<br />
One of our summer c<strong>amp</strong> goals is to make<br />
sure that every child at c<strong>amp</strong> has a safe, fun<br />
and positive experience. As a parent you can<br />
help with the process of preparing your child<br />
from feeling homesick while at c<strong>amp</strong> in the<br />
following ways:<br />
• Have your child practice being away from<br />
home prior to attending c<strong>amp</strong>. Perhaps<br />
encourage her to stay at a friend or relatives<br />
home for a night or weekend.<br />
• Do not promise to pick up your child early<br />
from c<strong>amp</strong>. This can make c<strong>amp</strong>ers focus<br />
only on going home, and not able to focus on<br />
the fun they’ll have at c<strong>amp</strong>.<br />
• Use a calendar at home to show that the<br />
time spent at c<strong>amp</strong> is not an eternity, but<br />
actually a very short amount of time.<br />
• Don’t tell your c<strong>amp</strong>er how badly you will<br />
miss them while at c<strong>amp</strong>. Do tell them how<br />
much you love them, even while they are away<br />
from home, and how excited you are for them<br />
to have so much fun at c<strong>amp</strong>!<br />
• Communicate before, during and after the<br />
c<strong>amp</strong> experience.<br />
• Do not promise your c<strong>amp</strong>er that she can<br />
call home while at c<strong>amp</strong>. If a c<strong>amp</strong>er is<br />
experiencing extreme homesickness or minor<br />
homesickness for a sustained period of time,<br />
the c<strong>amp</strong> staff will contact the parent and<br />
determine next steps.<br />
If you are concerned about your c<strong>amp</strong>er, we<br />
encourage parents to call c<strong>amp</strong> and speak to<br />
the c<strong>amp</strong> director. She will work with you in<br />
assuring your c<strong>amp</strong>er is having a successful<br />
experience.<br />
• Encourage your c<strong>amp</strong>er to write home about<br />
all of the new activities that they have tried.<br />
• Share your own positive c<strong>amp</strong> stories<br />
with them.<br />
• Let your c<strong>amp</strong>er help pack their bags for<br />
c<strong>amp</strong>. Pack one favorite picture, stuffed animal<br />
or blanket.<br />
• Encourage your c<strong>amp</strong>er to write home about<br />
all of the new activities that they have tried.<br />
• Share your own positive c<strong>amp</strong> stories with<br />
them.<br />
• Let your c<strong>amp</strong>er help pack their bags for<br />
c<strong>amp</strong>. Pack one favorite picture, stuffed animal<br />
or blanket.<br />
• Spend quality time with your child upon<br />
returning home from c<strong>amp</strong> to “reconnect” after<br />
the separation period. Keep in mind that girls<br />
may experience a boost in self-confidence and<br />
independence while at c<strong>amp</strong>.<br />
• Drop off an encouraging note for each day<br />
at check-in. Her counselors will deliver them<br />
throughout the session.<br />
INSECT BITES<br />
Insect bites can and will occur when<br />
participating in activities outdoors. To avoid<br />
major incident, it is highly recommended to<br />
pack bug spray with deet and apply it multiple<br />
times per day. If your c<strong>amp</strong>er needs assistance<br />
applying, please make her counselor aware at<br />
check-in so they can assist her during her stay.<br />
If your c<strong>amp</strong>er is allergic to bug spray or insect<br />
bites please enter that information in C<strong>amp</strong>Doc<br />
so the medical staff is aware.<br />
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