Why are all the sleepaway camps in the general DC vicinity so underwhelming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People in this area like to spend time with their children during the summer. You can do all the fun outdoor things around here but you do them as a family or hire a nanny or college student to do things with them. I’ve never heard of anyone going to sleep away camp, I’m about 2 hours from DC and people here are more likely to take their kids to a camp ground or buy a cabin further up in the mountains than send them away for the summer. It’s just not something people that grew up in this area really do. Growing up I asked about something similar I saw on a magazine and got shut down immediately with a hard no. My parents were not keen on the idea of other people raising their children, that’s what they said and think that’s how many people around here probably feel. You have to go much farther north for that I guess.

Oh come on, sending your kid to summer camp is not having someone else raise them. Its giving them a wonderful opportunity to grow, spread their wings, and become independent AWAY from their parents. Do I miss my kid terribly when she is away? absolutely? I don't send her to camp because I don't want to spend time with her, I let her go to camp because I love her and camp is so good for her.

As long as SHE wants to go, fine. Most kids don't.

[Anonymous]

My girls go to a camp which you describe in VA. They are around here but just not mentioned much on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

With the rise of telework, sleepaway camps are going the way of the dodo, because they're expensive, so not something a blue-collar city worker forced to work in person can afford, whereas the white collar city workers can afford to rent something in the country for the summer, and spend time with their kids.

Just so we're clear, OP. You're just nostalgic. There is no particular "independence" benefit to sending your kids away to a sleepaway camp. Good parents only do it when their children like and request it, and it's something the family can afford. Don't force your kid out just because "sPreAd YouR wInGs!".

[Anonymous]

OP, like you we grew up in the NY metro area. DH is Jewish and went to day camp and then sleepaway camp like so many others do - it is just part of the culture there. His closest friends to this day are his camp friends.

We send our kids to that same sleepaway camp now (it's up in PA, outside of Philly), as do many other alumni families. It's definitely a family-oriented camp - I think over half the campers have a family tie to the camp these days.

We get a side eye from many parents around here, but it works for our family. We take our big family trips over winter and spring breaks.

[Anonymous]

Do you want your child to think they aren’t wanted when mommy tries sending them away for months every summer?

[Anonymous]

OP I learned on another DCUM thread recently that dcum is BIZARRELY against sleep away camp. Had no idea anyone had strong feelings about it. I grew up in this area and while not as common here I do know folks that went away for 4 weeks or so, but they all traveled for it. One I can think of off the top of my head did it in NH and my sister's was in Maine I think (my parents discovered it when I was too old so I only went to the sleepaway camps like you're discussing, but still absolutely loved it). I think it was VERY good for my sister. So in my experience you basically have to drive to get that experience. Neither my family or the other family I'm thinking of are Jewish or from NY.

I have noo idea why there is so much negativity and can only imagine it must just be hard for folks to imagine who never did the sleepaway camp thing? It's very confusing to me. I don't WANT to be away from my kid for four weeks, but I truly think it can an incredibly special experience for kids and will offer it to my kids if they want. It won't help you because it sounds like you have a daughter but I'm particularly interested in Camp Chippewa in Minnesota. Have some midwest connections that make it make a little more sense and the thought of my kid getting to enjoying midwest summers without screens - glorious.

Anyway, I would ignore the naysayers. Everyone makes their own choices and anyone shaming someone they don't know with very little information saying they must just not want to be with their kid is not someone whose opinion I hold highly.

[Anonymous]

pp here - Tina Bryson who co-wrote the Whole Brain Child, Yes brain and other books is a huge sleepaway camp proponent and talks about what she sees as the benefits in a bunch of places. If helpful to you OP (though I don't think you were questioning your decision, this thread has just gone off the rails so if you need a bump)

https://www.tinabryson.com/video-interviews/how-summer-camps-cultivate-a-yes-brain-mindset

Bucks are good for brains: https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/bunks-are-good-brains-neuroscience-sleepaway-camp

[Anonymous]

ha bunks* not bucks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People in this area like to spend time with their children during the summer. You can do all the fun outdoor things around here but you do them as a family or hire a nanny or college student to do things with them. I’ve never heard of anyone going to sleep away camp, I’m about 2 hours from DC and people here are more likely to take their kids to a camp ground or buy a cabin further up in the mountains than send them away for the summer. It’s just not something people that grew up in this area really do. Growing up I asked about something similar I saw on a magazine and got shut down immediately with a hard no. My parents were not keen on the idea of other people raising their children, that’s what they said and think that’s how many people around here probably feel. You have to go much farther north for that I guess.

Oh come on, sending your kid to summer camp is not having someone else raise them. Its giving them a wonderful opportunity to grow, spread their wings, and become independent AWAY from their parents. Do I miss my kid terribly when she is away? absolutely? I don't send her to camp because I don't want to spend time with her, I let her go to camp because I love her and camp is so good for her.

Some people are just insecure bishes. They are not worth the time to respond because they don’t matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because people who live i suburbia don't need to send their kids away to see grass and trees. The traditional jewish sleep away camps were for kids who otherwise lived in the city in apartments without ac in summer and cities get hot. So kids got sent away to breathe some healthier air and run around in nature.

Wow, what a breathtaking misunderstanding of Jewish sleepaway camps. I especially like how you wove in the casual antisemitism.

[Anonymous]

My DD goes to Capital and it is what you’re looking for. I promise it’s nothing like Hebrew school, which my daughter did not care for. The girls from camp are some of her best friends and they talk all the time. They just finished their CIT year and have been together since elementary. Although there’s a large Montgomery county group, her friends are also from Baltimore, Virginia, Howard county, etc.z

You should visit!

[Anonymous]

OP, you’re Jewish right? You should totally send your kid to camp Airy/Louise. It has rave reviews and I wish we were Jewish so I could send my kids there.

[Anonymous]

Went to a girls sleepaway camp in WI for weeks at a time as a kid. Absolutely loved it. There’s a number of camps in Wi and MI. My kids will be going in the mid Atlantic for a few weeks at a time. I think 3-4 weeks is the sweet spot. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships away from electronics and to try new activities. Also allows kids a chance to be somewhere where they don’t already have a social reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People in this area like to spend time with their children during the summer. You can do all the fun outdoor things around here but you do them as a family or hire a nanny or college student to do things with them. I’ve never heard of anyone going to sleep away camp, I’m about 2 hours from DC and people here are more likely to take their kids to a camp ground or buy a cabin further up in the mountains than send them away for the summer. It’s just not something people that grew up in this area really do. Growing up I asked about something similar I saw on a magazine and got shut down immediately with a hard no. My parents were not keen on the idea of other people raising their children, that’s what they said and think that’s how many people around here probably feel. You have to go much farther north for that I guess.

Oh come on, sending your kid to summer camp is not having someone else raise them. Its giving them a wonderful opportunity to grow, spread their wings, and become independent AWAY from their parents. Do I miss my kid terribly when she is away? absolutely? I don't send her to camp because I don't want to spend time with her, I let her go to camp because I love her and camp is so good for her.

Ok, sure, you just keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

Wow. PP, you really are ignorant and self righteous. Maybe a little jealous cuz you can't afford to send your kid to sleepaway camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My girls go to a camp which you describe in VA. They are around here but just not mentioned much on DCUM.

OP here--can I ask which camp your girls go to?