What happens if my child get homesick?

Homesickness can be common in young children and is managed at Finlay Park with the help and input from the parents and caregivers. Parents and caregivers are asked to disclose this type of information to the camp in order for staff and volunteers to manage the child in a positive way.

Often homesickness can happen due to;

• Unfamiliar environment
• Missing mum and dad
• Not feeling he/she fits into cabin dynamics
• Not feeling part of camp program

Sometimes some children are just more prone to homesickness than others and wherever possible management in collaboration with parents and caregivers will create a plan to manage it as well as possible.
Under normal circumstances staff/ volunteers will;

1. distract the child,
2. if not successful, contact parents and create a plan,
3. suggest to the child they can contact their parent/ caregiver in the morning at breakfast time,
4. Liaise with cabin leader to keep child involved and included in the camp program.
5. records are kept to log our interaction with the child and their parents/ caregivers. At times even with the best effort a child may end up leaving camp early.

Whatever happens, we want every child that comes to camp to have a positive experience and we will approach each homesick child as an individual with individual needs. For some children being away from home for a couple of nights is a massive success and something that we want to celebrate with them and you as their parents. If you have any concerns talk to one of the senior staff member when you drop your child off.