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Homesick and Happy: The Magic of Summer Camp-How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow
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Homesick and Happy: The Magic of Summer Camp-How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow (2012) (edit title/settings)

by Michael Thompson (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp—and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . . if only for a little while.   In an age when it’s the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your “little ones” off to sleep-away camp... read more

Summary edit see section history

In this celebration of kids going away to summer camp, Dr. Thompson discusses and explores the many benefits of the camp experience. He starts out with the need of a time of independence for children, a time to grow away from their parents, as well as a statement of how parents have become... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

In this celebration of kids going away to summer camp, Dr. Thompson discusses and explores the many benefits of the camp experience. He starts out with the need of a time of independence for children, a time to grow away from their parents, as well as a statement of how parents have become overprotective in recent years.

As for homesickness, Dr. Thompson respectfully acknowledges its existance and advises not to belittle it before giving very specific tips on how to prepare for it and deal with it.

Dr. Thompson then shares specific stories of specific camp benefits, talking about friendships, the growth of special needs children, the ritualistic and rite of passage nature of camps.

He closes the book with a repetition of the importance of childhood independence as well as ways for parents to deal with missing their kids.

Characters/People edit see section history

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “We cannot make our children happy. We cannot give our children high self-esteem. We cannot make friends for our children or micromanage their friendships.We cannot successfully double as our child's agent, manager, and coach. We cannot create the "second family" for which our child yearns in order to facilitate his or her own growth.It is increasingly apparent that we parents cannot compete with or limit our children's total immersion in the online, digital, and social media realms. We cannot keep our children perfectly safe, but we can drive them crazy trying. We cannot make our children independent.”
    Michael Thompson
  • “A parent's job is to raise children "who can leave you".”
    Bill Polk
  • “Not all bad or sad feelings are evidence of a child being traumatized.”
  • “My mom didn't supervise it, my mom did not arrange it, I did just what all the other kids had to do. Therefore, I earned the self-confidence that comes with that achievement.”
  • “All the ritual activities just really create a cultlike community.”
    Johanna Liskowsky-Doak
  • “Camp is Hogwarts.”
    Michael Thompson

First Sentence edit see section history

I have worked for a decade as the consultant to a canoe tripping camp in northern Ontario.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Introduction: A New York City Boy Goes Back to Camp
1. Off They Go
2. A Lost World of Family Time
3. A Fire in My Stomach
4. Homesick and Happy
5. A Little Paradise
6. OMG, I Love You!
7. Passages
8. "I Wish You Luck in Being Yourselves"
9. The Magic of Camp
10. "Childsick" and Happy

Glossary edit see section history

  • homesickness: the distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home. Characterized by acute longing and preoccupying thoughts of home and attachment objects.
  • homesick disposed: A greater liklihood for a child to feel homesickness.
  • CIT: Counselor in training

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Michael Thompson (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Ballantine
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 9780345524928
Page Count: 320

Classification edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Focused towards parents. Some mild language with occassional brief strong language. Also frankly discusses instances of sexuality.

Movie Connections edit see section history

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