June 10, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & III • Page 11 SCHOOLS & CAMPS Homesickness, or “missing home,” is normal. In study after study, researchers found that 95 percent of boys and girls who were spending at least two weeks at overnight camp felt some degree of homesickness. Children at day camp may also feel pangs of homesickness, but less frequently. Homesickness is typically mild. Nearly everyone misses something about home when they are away. Some campers most miss their parents; others most miss home cooking, a sibling, or the family pet. Whatever they miss, the vast majority of children There really is great news about homesickness have a great time at camp and are not bothered by mild homesickness. Homesickness is something everyone can learn to cope with. In fact, research has uncovered multiple strategies that work for kids. Most kids use more than one strategy to help them deal with homesickness. Overcoming a bout of homesickness and enjoying time away from home nurtures children’s independence and prepares them for the future. The fact that second-year campers are usually less homesick than first-year campers is evidence of this powerful growth. Homesickness has a silver lining. If there is something about home children miss, that means there is something about home they love — and that is a wonderful thing. Sometimes just knowing that what they feel is a reflection of love makes campers feel much better. So if nearly everyone feels some homesickness, what can be done to prevent a really strong case of homesickness? Here’s a recipe for positive camp preparation: Make camp decisions together. Arrange practice time away from home. Share your optimism, not your anxiety. Never ever make a pick-up deal. What are the most effective ways of coping with homesickness at camp? What advice can you write in a letter or e-mail if you get a homesick letter? grand opening ��������������������� ��� ��������� �������� Anti-Homesickness Strategies for Kids Stay busy. Doing a fun, physical activity reduces homesickness intensity. Stay positive. Remembering all the cool stuff you can do at camp keeps the focus on fun, not on home. Stay in touch. Writing letters, looking at a photo from home, or holding a memento from home can be very comforting. Stay social. Making new friends is a perfect antidote to bothersome homesickness. Talking to the staff is also reassuring. Stay focused. Remember that you are not at camp forever, just a few weeks. Bringing a calendar to camp helps you be clear about the length of your stay. This article by Christopher A. Thurber, Ph.D. was originally printed in CAMP Magazine, and was reprinted with permission of the American Camp Association. �������������������������������� ����� ���������������������� ����������������������������������������� ������������������� ��������������������������� ���� ������������ ��������� �� ������������������������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������� ~A Better Life through a Better Education ~ ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� Infants, Toddler, Preschool and Kindergarten, Grades 1-6, Ages 6 weeks to 12 years 6-10-09 joan/janine JEI_Academy3x3(6-10-09) 3 x 3” A Truly Unique Montessori School • Unique Phonics Reading Program • Computers • Music • Foreign Language • 3 or 5 Half Days • Full Days 7am - 6pm • Fastrackids • Character Education • Parenting Seminars • Dance Academy CORE of the APPLE Summer Camp ���������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������� ������������� ������������������� ������������ ��������������� • Daily Swimmming Lessons, Heated Pool designed for safety of young children • Sports/Organized Games • Arts & Crafts • Field Trips • Music/Dance • In House Events Call, visit and • Nature & Science compare the advantages gained for • Computers • Cooking your child... www.applemontessorischools.com 192 Ramapo Valley Rd. OAKLAND 201-337-0183 Please call for our other locations 973-696-9750 Nevins Rd. WAYNE 75 East Ramapo Valley Rd. MAHWAH 201-512-1141