Some parents and guardians may have questions concerning homesickness and how it is dealt with here at Cedar Lake Camp.  While homesickness is not a problem for most campers, it does occur.  Here is our procedure for treating homesickness and communicating with you:

We do everything we can to make camp a wonderful place for children and we ensure that all their needs are met.  However, occasionally, homesickness still occurs.

If a child complains of homesickness or has any symptom of homesickness, our initial response is to encourage the child to get involved in the camp activities without making a big deal of it.  Most children deal with homesickness quickly on their own and enjoy a great week.  Giving too much attention to a camper complaining of homesickness generally only furthers the problem.  If the homesickness remains mild and does not progress beyond small complaints and a few sobs at night, we will not typically call you, the parent, or allow the child to call.  This typically ends within a night or two and the child has a wonderful week.

If the child ever appears truly distraught, the counselor will send the child to a director or senior staff member.  We then attempt to encourage the child.  If this is unsuccessful and the child persists in wanting to call home or go home, a director will call you and you will have the reins of the situation from that point.

It will be helpful if you, the parent, will encourage your child to try to make it through the week, knowing that they will be glad of their success having persevered.

On quite rare occasions, it is necessary for parents to pick up campers because of homesickness.

  ****HOMESICKNESS REFUND POLICY:  NO refunds are available for early pickup due to homesickness

However, if parents set children up for success, the chances of this being necessary are minimal.

Here’s how you can set your child up for success:

• Talk to your child about all the great things he or she will do at camp. If possible, don’t even mention the word “homesick.”  If you do not mention homesickness, it may never occur to them.

• Let your child know that they will have a great time, and that you will see them in a week.  Do not tell them that they should call as soon as they get homesick and you will come pick them up.  They will almost certainly call if you do so.

• Encourage your child to obey the counselors and build friendships with other children.

• Some children just need to hear from their parents that they should be at camp and have a good time.  If your child does end up calling you, assure them that they are all right and that they are more than capable of finishing the week.