Homesickness: What Really Happens at Camp
This post was written by Jeff Horowitz, Director at Camp Poyntelle. For over 70 years, Poyntelle has created meaningful experiences for young people, combining our values-driven programming with awesome sports, creative arts, challenging technology and our 70 acre, one-of-a-kind private lake and waterfront experience. You can learn more by visiting www.poyntelle.com.
Let’s talk about the thing every parent thinks about… and every kid swears won’t happen.
Homesickness.
As a camp director — and as a former camper who definitely once pretended I “just had a stomachache” — I can tell you this: homesickness is normal, it’s healthy, and it’s one of the most powerful parts of the camp experience.
Yes. Powerful.
First: What Homesickness Actually Is (And Isn’t)
Homesickness isn’t a crisis. It’s not a sign your child isn’t ready. It’s not an indicator that they’re having a bad time. It’s a sign that your child has strong attachments. That they love home. That they feel safe with you.
That’s a good thing.
At camp, homesickness usually shows up in small waves — often at predictable moments:
- Nighttime, when things quiet down
- Rest hour, when there’s space to think
- After a big, exciting day
- When they see someone else getting a letter
It rarely looks dramatic. More often, it sounds like:
- “I just miss my dog.”
- “What’s my family doing right now?”
- “I wish my mom could see this.”
And then five minutes later? They’re running to the waterfront.
What We Actually Do When It Happens
At Camp Poyntelle, homesickness is not something we panic about. It’s something we coach through.
Our counselors are trained to:
- Validate feelings without amplifying them
- Keep kids engaged in activity
- Build confidence through small wins
- Create connection inside the bunk
We don’t dismiss feelings. But we also don’t let homesickness become a full-time job. If a camper says, “I want to go home,” our response isn’t, “Okay, let’s call.” It’s, “Tell me what’s feeling hard right now.”
Because usually, it’s not about home. It’s about:
- Navigating a new friendship or social dynamic
- Feeling unsure in an activity (THIS IS WHY WE DO CAMP!! To try new things!)
- Being overtired
- Missing a routine at home that can’t be replicated at camp
And those are growth moments.
Here’s the Part Most People Don’t See
Homesickness often peaks around days 2–4. And then something shifts… Maybe it’s a first goal, or a first inside joke, or falling in love with Shabbat. It’s not always the same thing, camper to camper, but almost always, the shift happens. And suddenly, they belong.
The same child who said, “I don’t know if I can stay” is begging to extend their session.
It happens every single summer.
The Jewish Camp Layer
At Camp Poyntelle and all Jewish overnight camps, there’s something even deeper happening.
Kids aren’t just building independence — they’re building identity.
They’re singing the Hamotzi before every meal, banging on the table
They’re dancing at Shabbat in white, despite not knowing all of the lyrics to the songs.
They’re learning from their Israeli staff over Shakshuka, Pita, and more.
That sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves becomes an anchor. It gives them strength. Homesickness turns into homestrength.
When We Do Get Concerned
There are moments when we step in more actively. If a camper:
- Stops eating
- Withdraws from activity
- Cries consistently throughout the day
- Expresses anxiety that doesn’t ease with engagement
We communicate. We partner with parents. We make a thoughtful plan and we keep the parents updated every step of the way. Because even though most campers overcome homesickness by day #4, for some it takes longer, for some, a different approach is needed. But let’s be very clear — those cases are the exception, not the rule.
What Parents Can Do Before Camp
The best preparation isn’t a long speech. It’s confidence.
- Speak positively about camp! So much so that your children should believe that there is almost nothing fun going on at home that they are missing.
- Avoid saying, “If you’re too sad, I’ll come get you.” Campers who experience homesickness will immediately lock onto that promise and see that as their light at the end of the tunnel, vs. enjoying camp.
- Remind them they can do hard things!
- Normalize that missing home and having fun can exist at the same time!
Because they can.
The Real Outcome
When a child pushes through homesickness, something changes in them.
They learn:
- I can feel uncomfortable and survive it.
- I can build new relationships.
- I can live away from home.
- I can rely on myself.
That confidence doesn’t disappear when camp ends. It shows up in middle school transitions, & in high school challenges. It shows up on college move-in day, which may seem farfetched, but ask any parent who have sent their kids to camp!
We don’t just help kids get through homesickness at overnight camp – We help them grow because of it.
And by Visiting Day, you’ll be the one saying, “Wow. You seem different.”
That’s not distance. That’s growth. And it’s exactly what camp is supposed to do.
