Campsickness: A Parent Guide to a Speedy Recovery

As you prepare to experience your child’s transition from camp back into reality, please read below on how to address campsickness. Though not serious, this illness can impact your daughter’s speedy integration back into society, and we would like to make sure that you are prepared. Aside from the obvious emotions associated with seeing your most precious possession for the first time in four weeks, there will likely be a few things to watch out for in the coming days. If any of these apply to your daughter, please call your camp director (in 72 hours) to discuss some possible treatments, including but not limited to reenrollment.

_ Campsickness and Withdrawal _

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:

Most likely the early signs of this illness will come in the form of the child’s uncontrollable urge and passionate desire to tell a parent every little camp detail and story. She may, however, seem sad and slightly disconnected as she will have had an emotional 24 hours closing out the camp session with all of her friends and summer family. The bond and connection formed over four or eight weeks cannot be put into words, and therefore she might have a hard time expressing all of these feelings. The best response during this time would be to listen, smile and celebrate any show of happiness and/or excitement. There will be inside jokes that make absolutely no sense to the parent, but that are momentous to her. Stories and such jokes might come in waves over the first 72 hours, and will likely dissipate as the school season picks up and overtakes some of that joy. Through records of numerous parental test studies we have found that joining in, or otherwise attempting to be part of the inside joke, typically proves ineffective, and might even cause feelings of embarrassment in the child. This is especially of concern when multiple cabinmates are present. A parent should do his or her best to refrain from complete submersion into the child’s experience, but rather float along the surface basking in her joy.

NOTE- Do not take it personally if her first words off the bus are:
“I want to go for eight weeks next summer!”
Trust that this is a perfectly normal urge, and if she is not ready for eight weeks, this desire will pass in due time.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

Studies have shown that campsickness reaches peak prevalence in the days and even weeks following the completion of camp exposure. While there is no scientific data indicating that any given population is more likely to become afflicted by this illness, professionals are confident that the spread of infection in it’s complete form is highly unlikely. It is, however, potentially contagious due to it’s emotional strength, but full symptoms are never likely to be experienced by secondary infected individuals. Infected parents and family members who had once attended camp themselves may feel a heightened sense of emotion in comparison to others, but this should pass quickly as the feelings are likely associated with what studies have proven to be the residual effects of long term positive summer camp experiences. This condition is also known as “flash back syndrome.” SEE ABOVE ABOUT AVOIDING COMPLETE SUBMERSION (especially dad’s).

TREATMENTS-

There is no known complete treatment or vaccination for this illness. The camp experience creates an addiction that can never be completely remedied. The FDA is currently weighing out whether or not to require that summer camps make this long term side effect of addiction known, and clearly visible on any and all marketing material.

The effects and withdrawal from this addiction can be eased by securing her return for the following summer. Cold turkey elimination of camp is highly discouraged as it may lead to long term feelings of resentment. It is recommended that parents help their child to understand that there is always next summer, but that plenty of fun experiences await during the winter months. Camp professionals have found that although there is no (approved) medication to treat this specific set of emotions, one proven treatment would be to get her active and enjoying home life. It is not recommended that a parent attempt to “recreate” camp by moving furniture around to make her bedroom look like the inside of a cabin, or to rearrange the dining room in an effort to simulate a mealtime camp experience. Implementation of large camp type program equipment and facilities into one’s home is highly discouraged (horses, climbing walls, septic tanks, archery ranges, artificial beaches, fire pits, etc). Without properly trained staff and certified equipment, these things could prove to be extremely hazardous. Simulation efforts in general, while sweet, may only add to her feelings of sadness because there is no way to justly replicate her experience at camp. Should these recreations happen organically by the child, however, allow continuation for a short period, then slowly wean her off of those behaviors to simplify her transition into typical society. Allow for camp style cheering in the home’s dining room for as long as she would like, and encourage camp/age group gatherings. Be aware of unusual behaviors like:

• bed making and/or other excessive general housekeeping chores not typical of the child
• a new found disregard for technology (unlikely to last)
• respect for others and their opposing views
• respect for rules
• willingness to try new foods
• interest in meeting new people and making new friends
• desire to try new things
• new ability to work out problems on her own (warning- this particular development has been known to cause indigestion in some parents)

If these behaviors persist, contact your camp director immediately for advice on how to adapt.

PROGNOSIS:

There is no cure for campsickness. It is important to recognize that the symptoms will diminish over time, but will never fully disappear. Once camp is reinserted into the child’s life she will feel temporary relief, but when removed again she will likely re- experience the prominent symptoms described above. Children with preexisting conditions such as living in a home with parents or siblings who themselves attended camp, or children who perhaps exhibit a general predisposition to feelings of happiness, enthusiasm and positivity may be more susceptible to camp sickness. Careful consideration should go into helping her steady transition from camp.

If you have further questions on how to handle this illness, or if you or someone you know is currently exhibiting the associated signs or symptoms, please contact a camp professional for tips and further advice on how to encourage a speedy recovery. Remember that the optimal goal for any campsick child, is for her to maintain a fulfilling and healthy off season until the camp “fix” can be provided once again.

All best,
Cliff

NOTE: this letter was not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any actual illnesses.