Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being and Success at Overnight Camp
Attending overnight camp is an exciting, transformative milestone filled with growth and new adventures. These new experiences may also bring emotional challenges as your child adjusts to camp life. Knowing how to support your child through this transition can foster a positive and rewarding camp experience.
Common Emotional and Mental Health Struggles
Children may experience a variety of challenges while at camp, including:
1. HOMESICKNESS: Missing family, pets, or the comforts of home.
2. DIFFICULTY WITH TRANSITIONS: Struggling to adapt to changes in schedules or routines.
3. ANXIETY: Nervousness about meeting people, joining activities, or being away from home and familiar support systems.
4. MOOD SWINGS: Adjusting to the highs and lows of camp life; excitement mixed with fatigue or stress.
5. PEER CHALLENGES: Feeling isolated or struggling with disagreements or misunderstandings with other campers.
Why These Struggles Happen
1. ADJUSTMENT TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT: A new routine, unfamiliar surroundings, and being away from home can feel overwhelming at first.
2. INCREASED INDEPENDENCE: For children, managing responsibilities on their own may feel exciting but also stressful.
3. SOCIAL PRESSURES: Navigating friendships and group dynamics can be challenging.
4. COMMUNICATION LIMITATIONS: Restricted contact with home can increase feelings of disconnection and intensify the emotional challenges of being away.
5. PHYSICAL FATIGUE: Busy camp schedules can be both energizing and exhausting.
Strategies to Help Your Child Cope
Equip your child with these skills to help them confidently navigate the emotional and mental challenges of camp, ensuring they have a fun and fulfilling experience.
1. PREPARE IN ADVANCE: Talk to your child about what to expect at camp. Discuss the schedule, activities, and living arrangements to help them feel more prepared.
2. NORMALIZE AND VALIDATE: Reassure your child that their struggles are valid and a natural part of adjusting, and remind them these feelings often ease with time.
3. HELP THEM FOCUS ON THE MOMENT: Encourage them to embrace camp activities rather than dwelling on missing home.
4. ENCOURAGE SMALL STEPS: To build confidence and foster a sense of accomplishment, suggest setting small goals, such as introducing themselves to one new person or trying one new activity each day.
5. REMIND THEM TO ASK FOR HELP: Urge your child to solve problems by seeking support from counselors, staff, or friends when feeling overwhelmed.
6. PRACTICE SELF-SOOTHING TECHNIQUES: Work with your child to actively select and plan emotion regulation strategies, building on what has worked before and adapting them to the camp environment.
7. CULTIVATE POSITIVE SELF-TALK: Help your child focus on their strengths and remind them they can overcome challenges.
8. PROMOTE SELF-CARE: To reduce physical fatigue and support emotional well-being, remind your child to remain hydrated, eat well, and rest when possible.
9. STAY POSITIVE IN YOUR COMMUNICATION: When writing letters, acknowledge your child’s concerns, make sure they feel heard, and remain encouraging, while using the opportunity to offer reassurance and problem-solve together.
10. FOSTER A GROWTH MINDSET: Help your child view challenges as chances to learn. Remind them that each camp experience, even those that feel difficult, contributes to their personal strength and confidence.
When to Elevate Concerns
While some challenges are typical when settling into camp life, it’s important to seek additional support if:
• Symptoms persist or worsen after the first week.
• Your child expresses ongoing distress or inability to participate in activities.
• Your child is unable to sleep or eat over an extended period, which begins to impact their overall well-being.
• Counselors share concerns about your child’s behavior or emotional well-being. In such cases, communicate with camp staff and consult with professionals, particularly those available at camp, who can provide support and guidance tailored to your child’s situation.
Set your child up for success by maintaining open communication with camp staff before and during the session. Share any relevant mental health information and thoughtfully consider how changes to routines, including medications, might impact your child’s adjustment. With the right preparation, camp can be a rewarding and confidence-building experience for both you and your child!
For more information about how to support those struggling with their mental health, please visit www.noshameonu.org. This resource is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. www.noshameonu.org
