I would really like to participate in the next NESA event, however, I have not yet gone to encampment. If encampment is prior to NESA then I might go to both.
This may sound silly and all, but how hard is it to withstand? I never really go away from home often, I'm just worried I'll get homesick.
What do you think?
While I recommend you do encampment first, you can attend NESA without it.
NESA is a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of hard work. But that's what makes NESA both challenging and rewarding. It's a top notch Emergency Services training program and you get what you put into it.
You can take comfort in the fact that other cadets will be homesick at extended events. However, as Storm says above, tackling challenging and meaningful tasks with other likeminded people is a very important aspect of your growth as a cadet and a person. I suggest encampment first as well because it opens the door to other NCSAs and officer promotion.