Common Situations at Outdoor Science School
Below are brief descriptions of the most common issues we encounter at Outdoor Science School, and a few tips on how to effectively deal with them. Our staff has significant experience with these issues and is always happy to help.
Homesickness
Information from the American Camping Association (ACA) Excerpts from the article below was written for summer camp, but most of its excellent advice holds true for the short week at outdoor science school as well.
Here is another link to an article about the benefits of an experience away from home. http://baltimoreschild.com/2017/01/01/could-it-be-magic-the-transformative-pixie-dust-of-sleepaway-camp/
How to Prevent Homesickness • Helping with Homesickness
What is it?
Homesickness is, above all, a normal feeling. It is the natural result of separating from home and loved ones. In a recent study, nearly 96 percent of all boys and girls who were spending two weeks or more at overnight camp reported some homesickness on at least one day. Almost all children (and grown-ups!) feel homesick when they're away from home. People's feelings simply vary in intensity.
What causes it?
There are several factors that put children at greater risk for becoming homesick. For example, children with little previous experience away from home, children who have low expectations of camp, children who feel forced to go to camp, children who are unsure whether adults will help them if they need help, children who have little practice coping with negative emotions, and children whose parents express a lot of anxiety are most likely to feel homesick.
You may be surprised to learn that some factors have nothing to do with the intensity of homesickness. These include geographic distance between home and camp and the presence of a friend from home at camp.
When is it a problem?
Most feelings of homesickness are not problematic. In fact, missing home isn't a problem until it becomes a preoccupation. When the feelings of sadness and anxiety associated with missing home become so strong that making friends, having fun, sleeping, eating, and participating in activities is difficult, something must be done.
What can be done?
It used to be thought that feelings of missing home disappeared spontaneously after a few days at camp. Although this is true for some cases of mild homesickness, research has demonstrated that if left unchecked, homesickness can intensify over time. The best remedy is a two-pronged approach:
Prevent homesickness at home, before it starts; and
Actively cope at camp, if natural feelings of homesickness reach problematic levels.
The best at-home prevention strategies include:
working together as a family to plan, and pack
spending practice time away from home, such as a long weekend at a friend's house
experimenting with the best coping strategies during this practice separation
preparing pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelopes to bring to camp
The best in-camp interventions for homesick campers include:
staying busy
talking with someone
remembering that you're not at camp for your whole life-just a few days
writing letters home
remembering all the fun activities that camp offers…and doing them!
Watch out!
The most common mistake parents make is the Pick-Up Deal. It's normal for children to ask, "What if I feel homesick?" Tell your child that some feelings of homesickness are normal and help him practice coping before camp starts. But never ever say, "If you feel homesick, I'll come and get you." This conveys a message of doubt and pity that undermines children's confidence and independence. Pick-Up Deals become mental crutches and self-fulfilling prophecies for children as soon as they arrive at camp. If, after spending practice time away from home, a child is still very anxious about overnight camp, consider waiting a until next summer.
The Good News
When children arrive at camp with a repertoire of coping strategies and some practice time away from home under their belts, they are ready for those normal feelings of homesickness. Sure, they'll miss home, but they'll know exactly what to think and do when it bothers them. Best of all, the staff at a high quality camp will be there to help. Nothing boosts children's self-esteem quite like overcoming a bout of homesickness and learning how good they are at controlling the amount of fun they have. Camp truly is a classroom for life lessons.
How To Cope
Helping Your Child Cope at Camp
Following are some tips from the American Camping Association to consider before your child leaves for camp:
If possible, visit the camp ahead of time so that your child will be familiar with the cabins and other general surroundings
Consider arranging for a first-time camper to attend with a close friend, relative, or camp "buddy"
Do not tell your child in advance that you will "rescue" him/her from camp if he/she doesn't like it
Discuss what camp will be like well before your child leaves, acknowledging feelings; consider role-playing anticipated camp situations such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom
Send a letter to your child before camp begins so he/she will have a letter waiting for his/her arrival
Allow your child to pack a favorite stuffed animal and/or picture so that your child will have a reminder of home
If adjustment problems (such as homesickness) do occur while your child is at camp:
Talk candidly with the camp staff (or student’s teacher) to obtain his/her perception of your child's adjustment
Resist the temptation to "rescue" your son or daughter from this experience
Acknowledge your child's feelings and communicate your love. You might say, "If you still feel this way in two days, we'll discuss what we can do."
Support your child's efforts to work out the problems with the help of the camp staff
Remind him/her, if necessary, that he/she has made a commitment
Trust your instincts: The occasional child who is truly not enjoying anything, having a miserable time and not adjusting to camp life at all should be allowed to return home after a reasonable amount of time and effort.
Prescription for Camper Homesickness
Keeping in Touch
Many camp directors encourage their campers to write home regularly to their parents, brothers, and sisters.
Do's
Give your child pre-addressed, stamped envelopes or postcards so that they can keep you informed of camp activities
Send a note or postcard in advance to the camp so there will be a personalized touch of home when your child arrives. This lets young campers know that the family has not forgotten them. In your correspondence, assure the camper that you know he or she is having a good time and express enthusiasm for the camp's activities
Don'ts
Although there are benefits in keeping youngsters informed of what's going on at home, don't go into great detail since the young adventurers might feel they're missing something back home. Directors advise parents not to mention how much they miss their children or "that the dog and cat miss them."
Don't worry. Your natural reaction is to call on the first day just about bedtime to see how your camper is doing. Remember, counselors are trained to recognize and deal with symptoms of homesickness
As one experienced camp director noted, "We have few homesick children, but we have homesick parents by the dozens."
Elevation Sickness
Water, Water, Water!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
The most common illness we see at Wrightwood is mild elevation sickness. We are located at 6,000 feet in the mountains which means we have different and interesting ecosystems up here, but it also means that your body will have to get used to the "thin air." This can occasionally cause symptoms such as mild headaches and stomachaches. If these mild symptoms happen, they are most common upon arrival on Monday and tend to improve quickly as your body adapts.
The very best thing you can do for your body is stay hydrated. Make sure that you are drinking lots of water - whether you are a teacher, cabin leader, or student, so that you are feeling your best!
If someone complains of a stomachache or headache, the first question we ask is, "How much water have you had today?"
Behavioral Issues
Firm!, Fair!, Friendly!
Occasionally, a student may have trouble adjusting to Outdoor Science School and following the rules. The very best thing for helping students manage their behavior is to be firm, fair, and friendly. We set specific expectations, with specific consequences, and follow up with those consequences. Our rules are:
Be safe • Be Respectful • Be Responsible
Upon arrival, students and Cabin Leaders will be given an orientation including an introduction to the rule with specific examples of what is safe, respectful and responsible, as well as what is not. Cabin leaders in their orientation will get some tips on how to help students manage their behavior.
The experienced Outdoor Science School staff is here to help any teacher, cabin leader or student if any issues come up. We are all more than happy to help. That is what we are here for!
