1. Homesickness The Safe Circle Concept

2. What is homesickness? Our Definition: a distressing and miserable feeling, associated with separation, that dominates, and negatively affects the camper’s ability to function normally at camp. It results from a lack of SECRUITY. MISSING HOME and HOMESICKNESS are 2 different concepts!

3. The Circles HOME is a SAFE CIRCLE - CAMP is also a SAFE CIRCLE rules safety routines knowledge family Security rules safety routines knowledge family Security Homesickness HOME CAMP Homesickness is the struggle to recognize that camp provides a lot of the same security that home provides. In that respect, much of the work to minimize homesickness BEGINS BEFORE CAMP!

4. Well Before Camp Encourage Parents to:  Let their child go on sleepovers  Let their child help plan/pack for camp  Show pride and confidence  Acknowledge anxieties as normal  Avoid...“If you don’t like it you can come home” Involve Church Leaders and Older Campers  Big Brother/Sister emails Communicate with New Camper  Provide knowledge –Typical Day

5. Train Your Counselors Know the difference in Homesickness vs. Missing Home Symptoms of Homesickness  Tearful  Reluctant to participate/interact  Anxious about seemingly trivial issues  Medical Complaints – stomach/headache Responses  Let them know you care  It’s ok, and it goes away  Provide knowledge (The 4 W’s)  Focus on the Positive  Provide distraction/activity  Know your camper – likes/dislikes, worries, etc.

6. More Training for Counselors Policies  Phoning home  Communication  Support Coping Strategies  Meet and talk – make it short and avoid them monopolizing your time  Identify vulnerable times/ “OK” times (Fill the vulnerable times with responses that fit the camper

7. Sample Email Hi (camper name)! My name is (____). I am ___ years old, and this will be my __th summer at Riverbend. This year I am going to be a (Jr counselor/fellow camper, etc.), and I can’t wait! I am also really excited that you will be coming to Riverbend this summer - I bet you really are going to have an awesome time! I remember when I first came to Riverbend. I was really excited leading up to camp time, but I was also a little bit nervous-there was so much I didn’t know! I wanted to write you an email just to let you know that if you are nervous or curious about camp, I am here to answer any questions you may have. That way you will know a lot more by the time you get to camp! You can ask anything you want about camp - and remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question! I really hope to hear from you soon! And I can’t wait to meet you at camp! Get Parent Consent, Cc the parent(s), follow up

8. Sample Typical Day Letter/Email Hi (camper name)! We are really excited about welcoming you to Riverbend! As camp time gets nearer, I’ll be you are wondering about all sorts of things to do with camp! Here’s just a little bit of info for you, so that you know what to expect when you arrive.  One of your counselors will be with you to show you around camp and help you find your cabin  You will meet the other campers and counselors in your group and will probably play some cool games.  After a great dinner, there will be a fun activity organized for your group!  Their it will be time for a cozy night’s sleep before the fun begins the next day! Here’s an example of a Typical Day at Riverbend: 7:30 Wake Up 8:00 Breakfast (even list options if you would like) 8:45 Time to clean up the cabin 9:30 Worship with music and speaking 10:30 1st activity period- Swimming? Hiking? 12:30 Lunch (give options if you would like) 1:15 Rest Time 2:00 2nd activity period- Rec games? 4:00 Snack time (at the Canteen) 5:00 Dinner (give options if you would like) 7:00 Evening Worship 9:00 Night Canteen 12:00 Bedtime