What is your non-sporty middle schooler doing this summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

There isn't an eyeroll big enough for the likes of you. Most of the world doesn't play sports as adults. Most of the world didn't play a lot of organized sports as kids, and yet, surprise, they're still confident and secure human beings. Sports is a purely American obsession. It's hilarious that two thirds of American adults are overweight obese! Most of them were quite sporty. They just never learned the really important truth: portion control and no junk food.

2nd poster, I think you are making assumptions about the PP's intent. As a non-sporty person with not very sporty kids, I too want my kids to have the confidence and basic skill level to pick up a game of Ultimate Frisbee with friends or take up a sport in later life. So OP, I might suggest a bike trip or something like that. Plenty of not-super-sporty teens on that and if they go someplace pretty and learn to camp, that could be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

There isn't an eyeroll big enough for the likes of you. Most of the world doesn't play sports as adults. Most of the world didn't play a lot of organized sports as kids, and yet, surprise, they're still confident and secure human beings. Sports is a purely American obsession. It's hilarious that two thirds of American adults are overweight obese! Most of them were quite sporty. They just never learned the really important truth: portion control and no junk food.

This country also has a weid obsession with being busy.

[Anonymous]

Mine is doing NOTHING. She just isn't into anything enough to want to do a week specialty camp of it. I think a lot of her friends will be away so she really is going to be bored, but at least then I don't have to spend money to hear her complain that she didn't even want to do that camp. I guess I'll take her to the library.

We're thinking of getting a second dog and letting her be in charge of potty training it. She is more interested in our dog than she is in any camp options, so I'm thinking "camp puppy" might be an option, and then we get another dog which I've wanted.

If my parents were younger, I'd seriously consider sending her to "Clean Nana's Garage Camp." (But I'm too worried that would turn into "Nana Had a Heart Attack While Cleaning Garage Lifelong Trauma Camp."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

There isn't an eyeroll big enough for the likes of you. Most of the world doesn't play sports as adults. Most of the world didn't play a lot of organized sports as kids, and yet, surprise, they're still confident and secure human beings. Sports is a purely American obsession. It's hilarious that two thirds of American adults are overweight obese! Most of them were quite sporty. They just never learned the really important truth: portion control and no junk food.

Really? Because pretty much ever guy I know from Latin America plays soccer in his free time, often with other Latin American guys. And of the European men I know, a lot also play soccer (southern Europe), or are obsessive bike riders (northern europe).

[Anonymous]

Volunteer at a camp, attend a music camp, hang out at the pool with friends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

There isn't an eyeroll big enough for the likes of you. Most of the world doesn't play sports as adults. Most of the world didn't play a lot of organized sports as kids, and yet, surprise, they're still confident and secure human beings. Sports is a purely American obsession. It's hilarious that two thirds of American adults are overweight obese! Most of them were quite sporty. They just never learned the really important truth: portion control and no junk food.

Really? Because pretty much ever guy I know from Latin America plays soccer in his free time, often with other Latin American guys. And of the European men I know, a lot also play soccer (southern Europe), or are obsessive bike riders (northern europe).

None of my European friends have kids who are as time-invested in sports as our American friends. It's kind of insane here with travel sports and is on another level.

[Anonymous]

Volunteering at summer school at a a local elementary school. Half days for a month. Summer swim. A couple of weeks of art camp.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax Collegiate classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Band camp, counselor in training camp, and one math camp the month before school starts to get back up to speed.

Is the math camp in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

Where do you live that adult men have time to be playing sports socially on any kind of regular basis? The ones I know have busy jobs and family responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

There isn't an eyeroll big enough for the likes of you. Most of the world doesn't play sports as adults. Most of the world didn't play a lot of organized sports as kids, and yet, surprise, they're still confident and secure human beings. Sports is a purely American obsession. It's hilarious that two thirds of American adults are overweight obese! Most of them were quite sporty. They just never learned the really important truth: portion control and no junk food.

Really? Because pretty much ever guy I know from Latin America plays soccer in his free time, often with other Latin American guys. And of the European men I know, a lot also play soccer (southern Europe), or are obsessive bike riders (northern europe).

Nope. I am writing this from a country in Latin America. Some kids play organized sports, most of them only play recreationally, through school. There is none of this American sports-obsession. Some adults play soccer with friends, also recreationally. Most adults just jog, work o ur at home or go to the gym. That being said, almost everyone watches soccer compulsive.

There is also no culture of having kids in overnight camps during the summer vacations. UMC children here have comparatively way more free time than UMC children in DC. School here is very demanding, though. Or that is what my kids say, comparatively with their school in DC. No college obsession either (and they all go to college).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

Where do you live that adult men have time to be playing sports socially on any kind of regular basis? The ones I know have busy jobs and family responsibilities.

That's exactly what I was going to say. All adults really, people really try to sell the idea that there is way more freedom in adulthood than there actually is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

Where do you live that adult men have time to be playing sports socially on any kind of regular basis? The ones I know have busy jobs and family responsibilities.

DH has been playing soccer once a week in various leagues for some time now. His in an over-40 league now. Obviously there are a lot more aches and pains now. This is his social activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send them to a camp that helps them become more sporty and active if you can (tennis/golf/rock climbing/soccer) - I don't say that to be mean, but if they can't participate in at least a few sports with confidence it will impact them socially for the rest of their lives.

Where do you live that adult men have time to be playing sports socially on any kind of regular basis? The ones I know have busy jobs and family responsibilities.

DH has been playing soccer once a week in various leagues for some time now. His in an over-40 league now. Obviously there are a lot more aches and pains now. This is his social activity.

Sincerely this is nice but not typical. A lot of men this age have multiple kids and are busy on the weekends, not playing soccer themselves.

[Anonymous]

We aren’t doing anything this summer and I’m sort of excited about it. I’m currently WFH and have a lot of flexibility. DH is currently doing short bouts of travel for work which give him a lot of time off.

We plan on doing a lot of golfing, al fresco dining followed by walks, bike rides, pool days, staying up late and sleeping in, and just being spontaneous with daily activities.