How to Beat Homesickness

We all know being away for the first time can be scary but honestly that doesn’t have to be the case. Growing up in sleepaway camps made me want to live there year round. I never wanted to come home.

Although I did have moments my first year of sleepaway where I was homesick. However I was told by caring counselors that the “sickness” is perfectly normal.

Sources say the number one sickness at camp is however homesickness’s.

Here in this blog I give facts about homesickness and how to cure it.

First things first, be excited! When you are on your way to camp whether it’s a bus or getting driven by your parents try to get hyped.

That positive mindset will allow you to be happy and looking forward to all the fun memories that you will make.

If you are on a bus which is usually transportation provided by the camp, try to get to know the fellow campers. You are going to be living with them for a while so try to get a jump start ahead.

I know it seems scary to start up a conversation but after a while it is not as bad it as may seem. Yes I was one of those kids at camp who had a terrible time starting conversations and still am at camp or anywhere in a social environment.  

Another fact, most counselors do not allow you to call home so keep that in your mind when you are feeling homesick. Just let your counselor know how you are feeling and they are here for you whether it is Gatorade or a stash of awesome candy for the whole cabin to bond over.

So how must we cure it on our own terms? We can’t always have our counselor cure it for us now can we?

Here I list some ideas for you to bring with you to camp and to apply it to your homesickness if you are having an emotional moment.

1.       Bring a book it will keep you entertained during rest hour or at night (Most camps have rest          hour at the hottest point of the day so that’s why you are cooled off and relaxing your cabin)

2.  Try new foods with new friends (find a friend who hasn’t tried a food you have tried before. You both will become instant friends when you laugh at ya’lls reaction)

3.       Try every activity (FOMO= Fear of missing out. That is something counselors would always remind us campers growing up. They wanted us to do every activity even if it means getting messy with mud and paint.)

4.       Hug your stuff animal (I always brought my stuff animals to camp even at age 16. I gave it a  big squeeze when I was thinking about home)

5.       Bring a remedy (When I was at camp I always brought along a home remedy. A home remedy is just a little something from home. It could be a picture of your dog and family, or not to go too extreme it can be something you use during your night routine)

6.       Write home twice a week if not three (remember to write home because that is your one source of communication. Just when you are writing in the letter to your family tell about your friends, activities you like, something you tried, or even that awesome camp out you went on for the first time)

7.       Even though you don’t always want to go to your counselor for things take advantage of the counselor who may be a bit quiet (I know when I was a camper, I was the quiet one and there was always a group of campers and a few counselors who were loud and didn’t match my personality. Instead I found other counselors who did match my personality and I stuck with them. Even if they weren’t my cabin counselors I found time during the day to visit them and they always made me feel better)

8       Remember the first few nights of camp are always the hardest (My first few nights of my first sleep away camp was the hardest. You haven’t started activities yet so just give your time to unpack, explore camp, and meet some people and you will be well ready for a basic day at camp.)

9.       Make and set goals each day (When I was a camper I wrote in my journal a lot. I wrote what I wanted to accomplish every day at camp and that helped me a lot.)

10.   Get involve with cabin chat (Cabin chat was one of my favorites because I got to spend time with my cabin before bedtime. Definitely take advantage before you go to bed and be excited for the next day) 

Well that’s about it for now, if you have any more questions on camp life, and how to beat homesickness you can email me at my email teenwithaheartblog@gmail.com.

I love writing for you guys and starting my blog back up. It’s so fun and I hope to keep entertaining you all!

Have a great day or night J