Treat homesickness as a concern to support, not a failure to punish. A participant may miss home and still want to stay. Another may need a different plan.
Ask what feels hard right now. It may be a loud room, unfamiliar food, no private toilet, a friendship problem, or worry about someone at home. Do not assume every tear has the same cause.
Use a calm routine: listen, meet immediate needs, offer a manageable next step, and check back. Pair the child with a supportive activity or worker without making them dependent on secret one-to-one contact.
Agree with families on communication before camp. Avoid rigid claims such as “We never allow a call home” or “We promise they will stop crying by day two.” Contact should follow a thoughtful care plan and the child's situation.
Escalate persistent distress, safety concerns, or health concerns to the appropriate lead and qualified support. Do not diagnose or present recreational camp as treatment.
If early departure is the right decision, arrange it with dignity and safe handover. Do not tell the group the child “gave up.” Review what the camp could learn from the experience.
Your task: Prepare a support record that tracks what the child said, what helped, and when the plan needs review.