Did your introverted kid like sleep away camp?

[Anonymous]

Considering sleepaway camp for a 12 year old, who is a true introvert that really likes his own space and privacy (is perfectly friendly though). If you have a kid like this that went to sleep away camp, did they like it?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I was worried, but he loved it.

[Anonymous]

Speaking for myself, not knowing at the time I was an introvert, I went to a weekly camp for 7 weeks where you leave Monday AM and come back Friday PM. Hated it. It was too much - I took to skipping breakfast just so I could be in the room by myself each morning for a half hour and that wasn't nearly enough downtime.

[Anonymous]

Have they had sleepovers? Gone to any? As an only, I had a lot of difficulty sleeping with someone else in the room. I liked camp and was usually tired enough to fall asleep eventually but it took a while.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My introverted child who never liked sleepovers loves sleep away camp. But we chose one based around her favorite thing (not a general camp) and it's in the dorms of a boarding school, so she only has one roommate.

[Anonymous]

No, mine didn't. Went at 11 with a lot of encouragement. He enjoyed the actual organized activities but hated the downtime and mealtimes and the rest of it. Too much pressure to find other people to do things with or to choose who to sit with or x social pressure. Bunk mates were boisterous and he didn't like not having a space (like his room) to go when he needed peace and quiet. And he really didn't like the camp songs, chants etc. Camp counselors said he was well liked and never seemed to be at loose ends. He didn't hate it but also didn't enjoy it. He tolerated it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they had sleepovers? Gone to any? As an only, I had a lot of difficulty sleeping with someone else in the room. I liked camp and was usually tired enough to fall asleep eventually but it took a while.

A sleepover for one night is WIDLY different than being around other people for a week or weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they had sleepovers? Gone to any? As an only, I had a lot of difficulty sleeping with someone else in the room. I liked camp and was usually tired enough to fall asleep eventually but it took a while.

A sleepover for one night is WIDLY different than being around other people for a week or weeks.

I'm the pp whose child loves camp but not sleepovers. Camp enforces bedtime, so they get more or less a full night's sleep every night. Everyone has a bed. Daily activities are more structured.

[Anonymous]

I would do a shorter one (1-2 weeks). I went at that age for the first time and really struggled (it was 4 weeks). I may have felt differently if it were shorter or if I had been going since I was little and had more friends.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My kid is super social but then needs time to recharge (also needs time to get going in the morning). She loves sleepaway camp but we only do 1 week at a time.

[Anonymous]

Yes she liked camp overall but hated the shelter cabin situation. It took a few therapy sessions to get over her initial anxiety about going, but she was glad she went in the end.

[Anonymous]

Yes but with a friend - that was key. And there were 5-6 others from his school there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they had sleepovers? Gone to any? As an only, I had a lot of difficulty sleeping with someone else in the room. I liked camp and was usually tired enough to fall asleep eventually but it took a while.

A sleepover for one night is WIDLY different than being around other people for a week or weeks.

Sure. But if a sleepover is a big change and they don't sleep all night something to think about.

[Anonymous]

My son is an introvert and loves going to his two week sleepaway camp. He doesn't even care about going with friends. He'll just hang out by himself or whoever is there.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My kid took recharge time during free time, to go lie around outside, and draw or read. How much my kid has liked sleepaway camp has had a lot to do with the nature of the kids in their cabin, though, which has varied a lot even within the same camp.