Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow

Thompson, a clinical psychologist and parenting expert (The Pressured Child), was motivated to study kids and sleep-away camp not only by his own childhood but also by “a growing body of troubling conversation with educators and parents.” The former were having difficulty getting permission for kids to attend overnight school trips; the latter were becoming increasingly unwilling to part with their children, or they chose academic or skills camp over those that focused on character development. As a child psychologist, Thompson also noticed that kids seemed increasingly emotionally fragile and overly dependent on parental guidance. But despite the rising anxiety of parents, the author asserts, the benefits of camp are many, including the fact that kids may make developmental leaps when removed from their parents’ watchful eyes. Campers, Thompson observes, have an opportunity to live for a brief time in a magical, electronics-free, natural environment; to forge new friendships, develop leadership skills, explore choices and opportunities not available at school; and excel in ways that increase self-esteem. Even those kids who are homesick develop resilience and gain from the experience. While noting that not every child has a love affair with camp, Thompson—who visited 19 camps primarily in the northeast during his research—concludes that the vast majority of children are positively affected by sleep-away camp. This incisive “fireside view” of summer camp also includes practical tips and advice for fretful parents. Agent: Gail Ross.(May)