Statistically, over 83% of campers that come to an overnight summer camp experience some form of home sickness especially if they’re 1st time campers. And it’s not just the children that need support, parents also have to recieve a helping hand as it’s not easy for them either.
Explorer Camps has a very specific plan at how to support 1st Time Campers in their camper development. We understand the importance of communication before and during summer camps in Slovenia, so we ensure we create a positive and welcoming environment for all.
The 9 Steps of Support our summer camps offer are:
1) Precamp Communication from Staff:
Before camps ALL campers get a letter from the camp director and a senior counsellor introducing themselves and the camps. It’s also possible to arrange a Skype discussion with the camp director before camps which helps the campers feel more comfortable. Each camper is asked what their likes are and what they want from camps so we can adjust our approach according to each camper.
2) Camp Buddies:
Young first time campers are paired up with an older camper who also sends a letter introducing him / herself before the camps. On top of this young first time campers are connected with a camper closer to their age who has been on camp already, and also sends a letter to welcome. Both areas of support remain throughout camp and are a fantastic way to build positive and healthy connections between campers of all ages.
4) Home Sickness Plan:
All staff are trained in dealing with home sickness and, especially on the opening day, are focused on providing as much support as every camper as possible. We have regular daily meetings focusing on supporting children and are very attentive to their needs and desires.
5) Active Camp:
Missing home usually occurs during quiet, slow parts of the day especially in the evenings. The great thing about Explorer camps is that our day is full from start to finish of action where all campers are out exploring and being active the entire day meaning they think much less of what they’re ‘missing’ but thinking about how much fun they’re having.
6) No Electronic Devices:
One of the biggest causes of home sickness is phone calls in the evening to parents. We have found by taking away phones for the entire week they actually don’t need that contact and are more comfortable on camp. Obviously, if there are times when parents need to speak to their children we are more than happy for them to call our camp phone however not having them is a HUGE advantage.
7) Daily Reflection Groups:
Staff members lead the same daily ‘reflection group’ that has campers with mixed ages. The goal is to give ALL campers the chance to discuss freely their feelings about their camp experience and to empower them to firstly speak up and also change their day according to their needs. The final act of the day is for the whole camp to gather around the campfire to talk about the highlights of their day which again is a fantastic way to get campers to express themselves and feel more comfortable in the camp family.
8) Camp Visit:
Many campers visit our camp for one day to see what it was like and to get a better feeling of the place. It reduces the ‘fear of the unknown.’ This is obviously difficult for campers arriving from further away so we always try to set up an online Skype meeting between the director and the camper’s family to start the process of connecting and trusting Explorer Camps. It works a real treat.
9) Personal Attention:
This is what really separates Explorer camps from the rest of this region. We care. And by caring we make it much easier for campers to find their place on camp. From start to finish AND beyond each camper enters the Explorer family and are treated as one of the family.
There’s a reason why over 70% of our campers come back every year, and this personal approach is a good example of why!
