Health 12 year old boy. Honor student. No issues in school or activities. Psychologically normal (in the past).

Thank you for the reply.  I see.  If you are certain he is feeling safe at camp and he is only reaching out because he wants to come back to play video games. Let him finish his camp time.  Speak to his mother about you both being on the same page regarding providing structure for him so that he grows into a healthy young person.  Then you both set up guidelines on when he will be able to play video games and when it is absolutely not permitted.  When he gets back him both of you sit down with him and discuss how he will get to add new activities in his life.  I suggest saying it this way and not saying "cut out, limit etc" about the video games.  It will get him defensive and he won't hear anything else you both say.  Have a box or bowl etc and some paper in which he, his mother and you can write activities on it that you'd like him to do either along or along with each of you (these are to replace video game time).  Randomly, pick one of the activities.  Also, I suggest setting up time with him so that you can have experiences together.  Even, if he sits with you in silence, allow it.  Just be present with him so that he feels confident in being with you without expectations.  It will take you and his mother staying consistent.  Consistency is what will make the difference.  Also, when you do allow the games cut the time down within each opportunity he has to use it.  For instance, if you both allow him to have it on a Saturday afternoon set boundaries as to how long that would be for him.  Maybe in the past it would've been all afternoon, now set it at 2 hours. He will pass his  video games to you both.  You can also consider setting up a reward system in which he can get privileges for doing chores etc.  I recommend rewards that aren't exclusively associated with the video games.  Thank you again for following up.

When speaking with your son giving him a few (pre set choices like the ones from you and mom) choices allows him to feel in control. Speaking to him and including him in talking about the shifts you as a family will make is a good way to build confidence in him as well as teach him self control, collaboration and lets him demonstrate that you can trust him as well.