Tips to Help Your Camper Prepare

These actually work. 

• Have your child sleep over at a friend's or family member's before camp. (And no — don't try to simulate the level of fun they'll have at CYJ. It's not possible.)

• Talk about what their new home will look like — their 'bedroom' (the bunk), their 'dining room' (the Chadar Ochel).

• Send a letter before camp starts so there's mail waiting on Day 1. It works.
• Instead of 'we'll miss you,' try 'I know you'll have a great time' or 'we're so proud of you for going.'
• If you went to camp yourself, tell your stories — including the homesick ones and how they ended.
• Pack a comfort item from home (stuffed animal, family photo). No shame in it.
• Do NOT promise to come pick them up if they're miserable. This creates an escape hatch that makes everything worse.
• Avoid the word 'homesick' — it primes kids to feel like something is wrong with them.