I’m terrified of going on school camp

[Forrest_123]

Even though my school camp is months away I am so worried about it and keep bursting into tears and not being able to breath properly however it is compulsory and 10 days long in tents. I think I am scared mostly because people always vomit on camp and I HATE vomit. (Last camp someone vomited and I was up until 2am crying in the nurses room and then I said I felt sick even though I didn’t end up being sick) I am also scared of being away from my family and not being able to get out of it if something bad happens and keep having dreams of me running away into the Forrest to escape.

On camp I am scared of getting food poising so I generally don’t eat much at meal times and stick with the packaged things at recess and afternoon tea. I don’t know what to do to feel better when I go on camp and not get so worried. I think I might have a phobia of vomit but I really don’t want to go see anyone about it or talk to anyone in person.

Someone please tell me what I can do, should I talk to my year coordinator about my fear of going on camp or do you think I do need to see a phycoligist or is there another way around it

note: (we aren’t allowed phones or food on camp)

[Aaronsis]

Hi Forrest_123

That is really great news that you did try the web chat line, I am really not surprised that it was in demand as things are really busy at the moment and there are lots of people reaching out, which is great but at the same time means we do have to keep trying and know that they are there, they do care but are in such high demand. Headspace is another great organisation and also focused on youth so absolutely give them a try too, keep reaching out until you find someone who will listen and also many responses also gives you varied thoughts too.

Your feelings matter very much Forest_123, that is why we are here, to chat and to listen and while I may not be able to provide a solution for you to your very real and terrifying fear, I care, and I am here to support you through this time. It also makes me think of how common the ride in the bus fear is for young people so I can assume from that that you are not the only one who is really terrified about the trip to and from camp. It doesn't change anything for you but does let you know that you are not alone and that you are not the only one, which is sometimes easier to manage these things as the feeling of "what is wrong with ME?", can sometimes soften.

I think that is a really great idea to have another chat with your coordinator, it may even spark an idea for them in that someone from the staff team are driving to camp separately and you could even go with them in the car, you just don't know what ideas will come and so that is why talking and sharing is so important. Try not to overthink, and role play how things will go, I know this is very much easier said than done, however we just don't know really how things will turn out and your parents may agree to drive you, then all that worry and anxiety was for overthinking, they may also not be able to take you however you will never know until you actually chat with them and ask. It is really great that you are going to have this chat with them.

How are things other than camp? Have you been doing some good things to keep you busy and that you enjoy?

I may have mentioned this before but I am growing veggies for the first time and they are really booming...so proud of myself..lol

Great to chat to you Forest_123, we are here and we care, very much, your feelings matter and so do you.

Hugs

Sarah

[Forrest_123]

Growing veggies sound like a great idea! My parents are good at keeping plants alive but not me unfortunately, I seem to kill every single one I get 😂. Things are going ok otherwise, Probably mostly because it’s the holidays, at least when I go back to school I get my new notebook for the term!

[Aaronsis]

Hey Forrest_123

I just wanted to let you know I am still here and care about u. I have had a family loss so need some time for me.

I will be back soon ok so big hugs to you.

Sarah

[Forrest_123]

No problem, take your time, I am really sorry for your loss, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. If you can reply to me when you are back so I know that would be great. Xoxo

[Aaronsis]

Hey Forrest_123

Just wanted to stop in and say thank you for the lovely message and that I hope you are doing ok too.

How have you been doing and how is that new Notebook going? That is really great that you have something nice to look forward to.

My kids are starting day one of home schooling again as we are in Victoria, I hope that they can get through this next part as my son who is 16 really did not like it,but my daughter is 13 and she found it ok....

Looking forward to hearing from you Forrest_123, and thank you for your support to me.

Hugs

Sarah

[Forrest_123]

I am currently on holidays still, at my school we get 3 weeks for the July holidays and one less at Christmas so the notebook hasn’t gotten much use yet. I actually really liked home school but my older sister didn’t. Stay safe in Victoria, I hope it gets under control again, then your son can get back to seeing his friends at school. I am still quite nervous about camp but I have seen the base camp on my way down south for a holiday which helps because now I know the exact location. After emailing my year coordinator he said we will have a meeting when school is back to discuss camp more, so I will update you in about a week.

[Aaronsis]

Hi Forrest_123

I am so happy to hear that you are feeling somewhat more comfortable with the camp now that you have seen the location and you know where it is. This is such great news and I am so happy that hopefully it has given you some time off and some peace from thinking about camp and the downfalls.

It is also wonderful to hear that the coordinator is going to chat with you further when school starts up again, this too is really positive and shows that they are really hearing you and trying to make this as stress free as possible for you, which is fabulous.

You are very lucky in that you like home schooling, it does take some self discipline and I think along with some motivation this is what my son is struggling with. My daughter is doing ok and kind of enjoys not being around all the dramas that unfold each day in class, I am sure she is not alone in that many kids who struggle in the class environment can actually get on with doing the work and not have the worries of people.

What have you been getting up to on your holidays? I am sure that there are limitations with COVID but hopefully you have been able to do some fun things too.

Great to chat to you some more Forrest_123 and I am so happy that you are feeling more at ease, I can really tell from your post that you seem more settled and that is so wonderful, it really is.

Chat soon

Sarah

[Forrest_123]

Hello,

today I had a meeting with my year coordinator and head of learning and it was scary but we have sorted out some stuff to do with camp and other school stuff.

I will be placed on a smaller bus at the front with friends and they will try and organise so that most of the bus sick people arent on my bus. For food prep because of Covid we will all already have to wash hands a lot and wear gloves. I will be put in a group with a couple of friends and with a teacher who knows my problems.

I also have to talk to a psychiatrist about my test anxiety and they also suggested I get coaching with public speaking. I will have a follow up meeting at the end of term and another one before the end of year. That one will be to discuss the best teachers for me to have in year 10 because they have recognised that I learn a different way from other people.

so yeah, I am sort of being forced into talking to people which I don’t like doing but I guess it is for the better?

I am going to try and sneak some protein bars into camp though so if I am worried about how people prepared the food I don’t have to eat it and can eat them instead.

[Aaronsis]

Hi Forrest_123

I am so happy to get such a wonderful update from you, this is all sounding so very positive and like you are getting some great support from school. I feel so very proud of you for speaking up, for letting your school coordinator know how you are feeling and taking care of your feelings and taking care of you, well done! You mentioned that the meeting with your coordinator and your Head of Learning was scary, I am wondering know that a day or two has passed if you still feel like it was scary? I hope that you have gained some extra courage here to know that they are here to help, they do care and they are ready to put into place what you need to feel comfortable. I think you can see that even though it seems scary at the time, and all the thoughts about what might happen seem scary, at the end it is just a great outcome.

The school sounds like they are going to put some great things in place for you with regards to the smaller bus, also with the cooking arrangements and mostly putting a teacher with you who is across how you are feeling and what you need.

I am so happy that you will get to go on camp and have some really wonderful memories and to experience the whole joy that is camp without the stress of all the other stuff, that is so great and I hope you have the most amazing time, what month is the camp?

Help with public speaking to me sounds so fun, but I am an extrovert and could talk all day, I am wondering how you are feeling about this, I think it will really help with your self confidence and getting to know you, if that makes sense. I think you will see that you are capable of so many things you didn't even know.

I am in the process with my kids of choosing subjects and things for next year too. I am glad that your school has identified that you do need to have some support and that you do learn a little differently, this is really going to help with a great outcome for you for your learning, awesome!

Just before I go, you made me laugh with sneaking the protein bars into your bag just in case, don't tell anyone but I always put a bag of lollies in my kids camp bag for them to find, even though it says clearly "NO LOLLIES".....shhhhh, it is all part of the fun of camping!

Hope to chat some more to you Forrest_123 and so happy that things are working out so well for you.

Hugs

Sarah

[Forrest_123]

Hey Sarah,

Nothing particularly bad has happened or anything but I really just don’t like life at the moment (Don’t worry I’m not in any danger). Just my heart physically aches and I can’t go a two days without crying. It feels like my whole life is centred around tests. Then when I am trying to get away from school my family will tell me to do more study, do more chores or I’ve had too much time on the phone. They get mad at me no matter what and I feel like my friends don’t really like me. I have had friend and family problems (not big ones with family, just they don’t really understand me and I get a bit scared that they will tell me I’ve done something wrong again) but I have had problems like this since I was in grade 1 and I really just want to go back to being little. I don’t want to deal with it anymore. Also it is really hard to get on these chats, I’m not allowed my phone in my room, if they find it in my room it gets confiscated for weeks but really it feels like they are taking away my support line. But if I were to explain this to them they would feel bad that both their daughters have had this happen and I would get sent to a therapist which I am really scared of doing so yeah..