Are you concerned about your child being homesick at camp? This page is designed for you to learn about how we help campers deal with homesickness and what you can do to help as well.
BEFORE CAMP STARTS – Preparing for a great session!
Be Positive and Upbeat – If you think your child may have trouble being homesick at camp then in the weeks leading up to their session be upbeat and positive! Instead of telling them, “I am going to miss you so much,” say things like, “You are going to have such a great time!” Pump them up about coming to camp and don’t bring up the fact that they’ll be gone from home for a week or two. If you had a “camp experience” tell them fun stories about it and help them get excited. Look at pictures on our website with your child and show them all those smiling faces!
Keep Your Child at Home – Your child will be spending a week or two here at CDR. We would encourage you to not allow them to spend the night away from home in the week preceding their session. You are sending your child to camp so they’ll have fun, make friends and grow closer to God. You don’t want them to not have that experience becasue they’re missing you or home. If you allow your child to spend the night with friends before camp they may be worn out to begin with or they may already be missing home when they get here. We want your child to have a great experience just like you, so help prepare them by keeping them at home in the week preceding their session.
Don’t Make it an Issue - Sometimes parents can accidentally create an issue for their child. The things talked about above are in many ways the parents initiative to either help create an issue or not. Remember why your sending your child to camp. Remember why you are spending the money for them to have this experience. Think about your actions and the feelings it may cause your child to have. Your child loves you and they will also love CDR. You will feel wonderful when you look at pictures on the website throughout the week and see your child having a great experience. You will enjoy hearing their stories when they come home. All these things can be lost if they are not here. So help us by doing your part in not creating an issue for your child. Just be positive and upbeat!
DURING CAMP – Having a great session!
Be Positive and Upbeat - During camp you can do a few things to help fill your void of not having your child at home. You can send them letters, you can email your child a note, and you can watch all the fun activities daily on our photo album. When you send letters or emails be positive and upbeat! “I know you are having a great time!” More of that and less of, “I miss you so much I can hardly go on.” We have had campers get homesick because they are worried about their parents. I know it sounds strange but your children just need positive reinforcement and encouragement. So again in all your correspondence be positive and upbeat!
Mail to: Camp Deer Run, Attn: “camper name”, 1227 CR 4590, Winnsboro TX, 75494
Email your camper a note at: mycamper@campdeerrun.com
Do you need to visit? – If you are concerned that our child is homesick call or email, don’t visit. We are here to ensure that your child is having a great experience. Often times we have seen children have great experiences throughout the days at camp. Then when their parents show up on visiting night, they crumble and want to go home. They were having a great time! They would have finished the week, but because of a visit they ended up going home. Please remember why you have sent your child to camp. Don’t jeopardize this wonderful experience. If you think your child may become homesick because of your visit then please wait a few days till you can pick them up. If you are truly concerned and just need to know that they are okay email or call the camp office.
VISITING CAMP – Keep the great session going!
Do you need to visit? - Please ask yourself this question one more time. If you decide you want to visit please come at the appropriate times. Those times will be listed following this paragraph. When you come to visit please realize that what you do can impact your child. We all want your child’s experience to continue, help them!
Visiting Hours:
Wednesday Nights – 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (world time)
Worship begins at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday evening is our time for visitors. You may come out and enjoy visiting CDR from 7:00 till the end of worship usually around 10:00 p.m (world time).
Middle Sundays (Two Week Session) – 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (world time)
Bible Class begins at 10:00 a.m and Worship is at 11:00 a.m. Join us for Bible Class, stay through Worship, in fact stay with us all day! We have some fun events and good planned for our campers and visitors on middle Sundays!
Be Positive and Upbeat! – Your child has had a wonderful time and will continue to enjoy their camp experience. Continue to encourage and uplift them.
Smile Turns to Frown - If by chance you realize that your visit is upsetting the child, we encourage you to leave. I know this could be really difficult for you. Realize why you sent your child to camp and be strong, help them finish. Call us later that night or the next day to check on them. Help your child have a great experience!
