Do many more kids go to overnight camps these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My mom thought/still thinks like you do and I have to say that we are not at all close now that I am an adult. Best thing I ever did for my mental health was go all the way across the country for college, which she tried to prevent - but couldn't stop because I got a scholarship and my dad supported me. I never felt she was happy for me whenever I got to experience something great - it was all about how sad she was that I was so far away. That was a huge burden for me, though I learned to deflect it.

We couldn't afford going to camp when I was growing up, and my mom never would have allowed it even if we could have, but several of my siblings would have really benefited from it.

My own child has an anxiety disorder and started going to a week-long scouting camp by himself in 5th grade. It was an amazing experience for him because he realized how strong and brave he could be. He loves it there. His doctor said it is one of the best experiences we could give him. At some point we may move it up to 2-3 weeks.

I'm so happy to hear you son loves camp and does well there. My daughter is one of the easy going happy go lucky kids. She loves camp and I've never thought about not sending her. But my anxiety ridden son...he's still too young for camp but I wonder if he will do well and if he will like it. Thank you for sharing about your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

Not that poster, but he/she probably feels that a kid who considers camp their "second summer home" is spending too much time away from home and family and is therefore not closely bonded to or cared for by the parents. That has been a thought expressed by numerous posts in this thread. If I held this viewpoint regarding camp, I would be embarrassed to have a kid who felt this way because, consistent with the hypothetical viewpoint expressed above, it would mean that I had not been a good parent to my child.

Please. Kids can have great parents who feel a connection to other places that mean something to them. Kids feel a special connection to camp because they can be themselves, explore new things and gain a sense of independance and confidence. It is 7 weeks. Parents have them for 45 weeks.

There is nothing embarrasing about it at all. No wonder so many kids around here can barely function without their parents intervening about everything.

I'm the poster to whom you responded, and actually I completely agree with you. I'm in favor of kids going to camp if that's what is right for the individual family. I was just trying to offer a possible non-selfish explanation for why the poster who found the comment embarrassing may think that, since the question posed to him/her seemed to presume something about the poster's motivations that may not have been true.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for replying. I'm the PP who made the original statement to which you were replying. Your comments and those of the other poster made me realize that I was projecting issues with my own mother. She couldn't let me out of her sight, but it was always because of her feelings and need for control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My mom thought/still thinks like you do and I have to say that we are not at all close now that I am an adult. Best thing I ever did for my mental health was go all the way across the country for college, which she tried to prevent - but couldn't stop because I got a scholarship and my dad supported me. I never felt she was happy for me whenever I got to experience something great - it was all about how sad she was that I was so far away. That was a huge burden for me, though I learned to deflect it.

We couldn't afford going to camp when I was growing up, and my mom never would have allowed it even if we could have, but several of my siblings would have really benefited from it.

My own child has an anxiety disorder and started going to a week-long scouting camp by himself in 5th grade. It was an amazing experience for him because he realized how strong and brave he could be. He loves it there. His doctor said it is one of the best experiences we could give him. At some point we may move it up to 2-3 weeks.

I'm so happy to hear you son loves camp and does well there. My daughter is one of the easy going happy go lucky kids. She loves camp and I've never thought about not sending her. But my anxiety ridden son...he's still too young for camp but I wonder if he will do well and if he will like it. Thank you for sharing about your son.

We started off with DH accompanying DS to scout camp the summer before he went into 4th grade. He had a good friend who went too and they both slept in the same tent - that was a big step for him not to be with DH, who slept in his own tent. He hates the dark -- is terrified of it, really - so he brings a little night light with him and that helps out. He's now at the camp with that same friend, doing fine without DH there.

Good luck with your DS. BTW, if you are okay with scouting, our dr. had recommended it as a great place for socialization (this is one of DS's big anxieties).

[Anonymous]

I think a week or two of camp is a wonderful time if people can afford it. But sending your child off for the entire summer, calling it their 2nd home and saying "well you see them the whole school year" is really strange. My kids look forward to summer but not for 2 months of structured camp. They like making their own experiences with their family and real friends too. Not every minute of everyday needs to be planned and paid for by parents.

[Anonymous]

We've always sent our kids to camps for 1-3 weeks out of the summer. The remainder of the time we've done family trips or they've just done activities in our neighborhood. This summer our 15 yo really, really wanted to do two sessions of camp, totalling 6 weeks. We agreed because she's been going to this same camp for a number of years and really loves it. So far it's been a great experience for her. We will visit her twice over the 6 weeks, but I think it's terrific that she's comfortable with being away for so long. After all, she'll be off to college in just a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would that embarrass you? Is it all about you?

Not that poster, but he/she probably feels that a kid who considers camp their "second summer home" is spending too much time away from home and family and is therefore not closely bonded to or cared for by the parents. That has been a thought expressed by numerous posts in this thread. If I held this viewpoint regarding camp, I would be embarrassed to have a kid who felt this way because, consistent with the hypothetical viewpoint expressed above, it would mean that I had not been a good parent to my child.

Please. Kids can have great parents who feel a connection to other places that mean something to them. Kids feel a special connection to camp because they can be themselves, explore new things and gain a sense of independance and confidence. It is 7 weeks. Parents have them for 45 weeks.

There is nothing embarrasing about it at all. No wonder so many kids around here can barely function without their parents intervening about everything.

I'm the poster to whom you responded, and actually I completely agree with you. I'm in favor of kids going to camp if that's what is right for the individual family. I was just trying to offer a possible non-selfish explanation for why the poster who found the comment embarrassing may think that, since the question posed to him/her seemed to presume something about the poster's motivations that may not have been true.

Sorry-not all posts translate the way you want them to. Thank you for explaining and sorry for being snippy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a week or two of camp is a wonderful time if people can afford it. But sending your child off for the entire summer, calling it their 2nd home and saying "well you see them the whole school year" is really strange. My kids look forward to summer but not for 2 months of structured camp. They like making their own experiences with their family and real friends too. Not every minute of everyday needs to be planned and paid for by parents.

Why would camp friends not be real friends? Not every kid has a great group of friends at school especially inthe MS years. Camp can be a welcome relief to many kids who are having a hard time at school.

There is still plenty of time in the summer to do family experiences even if they go 6-7 weeks to camp. If your kids like doing their one thing in the summer that's great. Other's think differently. It is not strange, just another way to parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My mom thought/still thinks like you do and I have to say that we are not at all close now that I am an adult. Best thing I ever did for my mental health was go all the way across the country for college, which she tried to prevent - but couldn't stop because I got a scholarship and my dad supported me. I never felt she was happy for me whenever I got to experience something great - it was all about how sad she was that I was so far away. That was a huge burden for me, though I learned to deflect it.

We couldn't afford going to camp when I was growing up, and my mom never would have allowed it even if we could have, but several of my siblings would have really benefited from it.

My own child has an anxiety disorder and started going to a week-long scouting camp by himself in 5th grade. It was an amazing experience for him because he realized how strong and brave he could be. He loves it there. His doctor said it is one of the best experiences we could give him. At some point we may move it up to 2-3 weeks.

I'm so happy to hear you son loves camp and does well there. My daughter is one of the easy going happy go lucky kids. She loves camp and I've never thought about not sending her. But my anxiety ridden son...he's still too young for camp but I wonder if he will do well and if he will like it. Thank you for sharing about your son.

We started off with DH accompanying DS to scout camp the summer before he went into 4th grade. He had a good friend who went too and they both slept in the same tent - that was a big step for him not to be with DH, who slept in his own tent. He hates the dark -- is terrified of it, really - so he brings a little night light with him and that helps out. He's now at the camp with that same friend, doing fine without DH there.

Good luck with your DS. BTW, if you are okay with scouting, our dr. had recommended it as a great place for socialization (this is one of DS's big anxieties).

Thanks for the insight. DS is 4. His anxiety is over the unknown. And well at 4, just about everything in the world is "unknown".
It takes him about 2 weeks to adjust and then he's fine.
But those 2 weeks can be looooong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a week or two of camp is a wonderful time if people can afford it. But sending your child off for the entire summer, calling it their 2nd home and saying "well you see them the whole school year" is really strange. My kids look forward to summer but not for 2 months of structured camp. They like making their own experiences with their family and real friends too. Not every minute of everyday needs to be planned and paid for by parents.

Why would camp friends not be real friends? Not every kid has a great group of friends at school especially inthe MS years. Camp can be a welcome relief to many kids who are having a hard time at school.

There is still plenty of time in the summer to do family experiences even if they go 6-7 weeks to camp. If your kids like doing their one thing in the summer that's great. Other's think differently. It is not strange, just another way to parent.

My child's summer is 9.5 weeks. Going to camp for 6-8 weeks is basically the whole summer. And maybe your kid is having a tough time in school because they aren't around all summer to strengthen those school friendships. School year is too busy. It is nice to have the girls do sleepovers, amusement parks, ropes courses, weekend camping trips, going to the pool, biking, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a week or two of camp is a wonderful time if people can afford it. But sending your child off for the entire summer, calling it their 2nd home and saying "well you see them the whole school year" is really strange. My kids look forward to summer but not for 2 months of structured camp. They like making their own experiences with their family and real friends too. Not every minute of everyday needs to be planned and paid for by parents.

Why would camp friends not be real friends? Not every kid has a great group of friends at school especially inthe MS years. Camp can be a welcome relief to many kids who are having a hard time at school.

There is still plenty of time in the summer to do family experiences even if they go 6-7 weeks to camp. If your kids like doing their one thing in the summer that's great. Other's think differently. It is not strange, just another way to parent.

My child's summer is 9.5 weeks. Going to camp for 6-8 weeks is basically the whole summer. And maybe your kid is having a tough time in school because they aren't around all summer to strengthen those school friendships. School year is too busy. It is nice to have the girls do sleepovers, amusement parks, ropes courses, weekend camping trips, going to the pool, biking, etc...

1) my kids friends are not at home for 9.5 weeks.

So planning 9.5 weeks of activities is impossible.

2) you are very lucky that your DD has not experienced MS bullying. It has nothing to go with her being home in the summer. Active on teams, does religious youth group etc. If a full school year of weekend activities hasn't helped not sure the summer would be any better.

3) DD has a tight group of friends from camp who she has shared ropes courses, campfires, color war, horseback riding, camping out, hiking, art, being in a play and amusement parks. DD feels supported and included.



4) sounds like you have a tight group. Things do change and especially for girls that group can go away.


You are pretty judgemental. Not everyone has your situation. We are all trying to do whàt is best for our kîds.