Ask The Admin: Phone Calls at Camp

Dear Admin,

I am worried about sending my child to camp for such a long time when I can’t talk to them, and I know you don’t allow phone calls. Why is that? What if my child needs to speak to me? How can I be sure everything is ok?

From,
Worried Parent

Dear Worried,

I’m so glad you asked this. Many of our new parents wonder why we discourage phone calls between home and campers; there’s a couple reasons. First, your child is the most homesick when they are talking to you. We’d rather not put them in that situation. Instead, we’d like them to be off having a great time, and write you a letter about the wonderful time they had. Second, if a child knows that they have an “out” (i.e. you told them to call you on Wednesday if they aren’t having fun and you’ll pick them up) they’ll never really commit to trying to have fun at camp; instead they’ll be counting down the days until that phone call. 

Here’s what I can promise you: at any point, you can call or email me, or any other member of the administration team, and we will give you an (honest) update on your child. If there was something we think you need to know, we will contact you. If we think your child will benefit from talking to you (I’m not sure what this situation would be, but I’m not ruling it out!) we will organize that phone call as well. We have found, over many years of camping, that phone calls between campers and home do not add to the camper’s experience at camp. While that may not be what you want to hear right now, when your child has an amazing two weeks at camp, it will hopefully be worth it. 

In the meantime, write them letters, send emails and care packages, and count down the days until you pick them up and get to hear about the wonderful time they had!

Always Happy To Answer the Phone,
Tali
Assistant Director, Falcon Camp

PS Do you have a question? Let me know at asktheadmin@falconcamp.com!