Going to camp is a summer tradition for many children. Experts said one of the biggest challenges many of those children will face is feeling homesick.

"Homesickness is related to the amount of experience you've had being away in the past," said Dr. Edward "Skip" Walton, a national camp safety expert and division director of pediatric emergency medicine at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Homesickness doesn't just strike very young children.

"There are 9-year-olds who can be very successful going to camp for the first time, whereas there are 15-year-olds or even college kids who have never gone away before," said Walton.

Experts said there are many steps parents can take to reduce a child's risk of becoming homesick.

"The first thing that parents can do is schedule practice time for their kids away, with their cousins or staying over at grandmother's or grandfather's house, and treat it like a true time away where they don't call, they have to write a letter if they want to contact you, and just practice going away," said Walton.

Walton also recommended putting the length of time the child will be away into perspective by comparing it to a previous vacation. Discussing what will happen at camp can also ease a child's fears.

Walton said the worst thing parents can do is promise to come and get their child if they feel homesick.

"Don't make what's called a pickup deal, where you say to your kid that if you're not successful, that if you don't like it, we'll come and get you. Because what that says to the kid is 'we're so sure that you're going to fail that we're going to have to rescue you,'" said Walton.

Experts also suggested encouraging your child to pack a favorite stuffed animal or a picture of their parents to help them feel connected to home.

Finally, Walton said it's important for parents to keep any anxiety they may have about their children going to camp to themselves.

"If you're telling your child that I'm worried, and I'm going to miss you, they're going to feel like they're going to have to support you and that anchors the risk of homesickness," said Walton.

For more advice on homesickness and camp, click here.