Lauren has been moody and a bit listless since camp ended. Her
parents didn't realize how tired she would be or they might
have thought twice about heading right out on a family vacation
the day they picked her up. Though she's been singing songs
she obviously learned at camp and showing her younger brother
how to make his bed like they do during clean-up, she hasn't
said much else about it. From what her parents could gather,
the end-of-camp activities were especially thrilling—and
emotional—as there was a final banquet that capped several
days of special activities.
Lauren's parents, like those of literally thousands of
eager boys and girls who arrive home from camp every summer,
never expected her to be, well, "campsick" like "homesick" in
reverse, children who thrive at camp, meeting new friends and
enjoying the freedom and fun of new activities, can show signs
of a kind of post-camp blues that goes beyond simple fatigue.
Life at camp is both intense and fast-paced. In addition to
having so many friends and exciting activities, there is the
safety of knowing that everything happens at camp under the watchful
eyes of truly caring, interested adults. Many children also feel
more "in charge" of their daily lives at camp where
they don't have to contend with all the stresses of school
and extra-curricular activities. In fact, many campers experience
camp as a kind of respite from the keen pressure to perform they
may feel at home. Even though there are many times when children
perform at camp, they also have many times when they can "just
be" themselves.
Leaving all this fun and excitement, with the chance to try
on new roles and learn so many new things, is often a letdown
for children. It doesn't help that the end of camp may
signal the start of school with all its stresses and demands.
When camp comes to an end, the blues can often set in for some
children!
The symptoms of the "end-of-camp blues" can range
from being tired, moody, and quieter than usual—to being
irritable or grumpy. The emotional letdown, coupled with missing
friends, can leave children feeling temporarily lonely. Because
friendships at camp are often very intense, what campers may
feel is something akin to heartsick.
Wise parents will expect some degree of the end-of-camp blues,
even if it is just fatigue for a day or two, and will plan for
it in advance. Many children need a good, hot shower; a day of
rest; and a favorite meal. Having your child reconnect with friends
from home can help, but often at the end of the summer, neighborhood
friends may be away on family vacations. Another tip is to help
your young camper connect to his or her camp friends through
the Internet. Many camps encourage campers to exchange e-mail
and IM addresses with one another. As ever, you as a parent must
make sure you oversee your child's online activities. Keeping
the computer in a family room and checking its history are good
practices when it comes to children and the Internet. Also, whatever
your camp's policy is with regard to campers contacting
their counselors online, it is still your
responsibility as a
parent to oversee this communication, and not the camp's
responsibility.
Finally, set aside times when you can reflect with your child.
Usually these are impromptu moments, rather than more formal
ones, and they often happen either during a meal or in the evening.
Allowing your children to reflect on their friends, their favorite
moment at camp, and what they miss most about camp will help.
Your child may also need to talk a little about his anxiety about
the coming school year. Though many children love school, the
beginning of a new school year can be fraught with anxieties,
especially if a child is going to a new school, hasn't
seen his school friends all summer, or struggles in an academic
setting. Facing all this anxiety without your camp pals can feel
overwhelming! Sometimes organizing a small "reunion" of
more local camp friends can help reassure your child that though
her friends are out of sight, they are not out of mind!
Not all children show signs of camp blues, but if your child
does, just remember that they miss it because camp is the
safe, supportive, nurturing place that it is!
Bob Ditter
is a child, adolescent, and family therapist in Boston, Massachusetts.
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