Our current Camp Director of Wawayanda, Dan Weir (see "Ol' Wawayanda in Good Hands"), appears in a recent issue of the New York Post. The article - "AMPED FOR CAMP" (is that a classic Post headline, or what?) - is about homesickness. Here's Dan in the story:And while it's hard to ignore a child's pleas, don't rush out to retrieve him, says Frost Valley YMCA's Dan Weir.
"A good parent will say, 'I'll come get you,' and that's a way to be supportive and be there for your child, but that leaves a little bit of a window of self-doubt for the child to wiggle into," the camp director says.
"[But] a great parent will say, 'This isn't a punishment, we really want you to give this a good try. If you don't want to go back next year, you don't have to.' This really sets the child up to succeed, since all the child might need is a few days of getting acclimated."
Way before your child gets on the bus, talk about camp as the vacation it is - one filled with fun and freedom.
Just make sure you don't cry when you say goodbye. If you do tend to get misty, wear sunglasses!
Here's your link to the Post.
