…but what about the children that are suffering from camp sickness?

You might have expected your son or daughter running to you as they came off the bus, and your family catching up together as you drive away in the car. But, if your child arrives home asking for their schedule to be posted every morning, or for the family to line up before every meal, you have entered a new phase of re-entry for your camper. There’s tons of advice given to parents about how to handle their departing campers, but what about the children that are suffering from “camp sickness” ?

You will be delightfully rested from the summer while your children were away, so now is your chance to shine in the kitchen, “Camp Style”.

Have the hot chocolate ready in the morning, break open a box of Ellios pizza, and don’t forget dessert with a side of sun-butter.

Start a chant when you have milk and cookies (but you can really start a chant for just about everything)

No need to dress up, but wear blue & white on Friday night and Saturday morning, and also if you venture out together as a family.

Wear jerseys, and play a basketball game against the family next door.  Pretend like its 12s.

Blast the Jackson 5 when you play.

Sing “Hey, Hey Baby.  Ooh, Aah.  I wanna knowwww if you’ll be my girl”.

Sing the Welcome Song when someone comes to your house.

Sing Cy Coleman.

Just sing.

A lot.

Turn off your cell phones and play games at the dinner table.

Put up a tent in your living room (or make one out of blankets), and make s’mores.  Play elephant freeze, and have a talking contest.

Set up a 1 day color war in your backyard.  Don’t forget to buy the face paint!!

Stop everything just to see the sunset.

Honor each other at the end of the day.

Don’t forget Super Clean-up and personal inspection is on Friday. (We’ve got this routine going. Hopefully, you can keep it up)

This is your chance to go thru their things, throw out the old water-bottles (if they actually made it home), and start picking thru the trunk, once it’s delivered.

Don’t be surprised if they only want to talk to their “Camp Friends”.

Don’t worry.

You are still the most important people in their lives.

Slowly but surely, you’ll start to recognize your child.

Aside from some physical changes, and the “camp sickness” that they might have come home with, we hope that they’ve come home with some extra confidence and independence.

And keep in touch with us.  We get camp sick too.

You don’t even have to book a phone appointment!