dropping out of camp on second day

[Anonymous]

Any experience with PGPARKS camps and dropping out?

MY kids just really didn't like their camp yesterday -- wasn't what they were expecting. It's a cap that had a wait list and I know other camps still aren't open due to the storm related power outages, etc.

Was wondering if anyone had any idea what my chances would be of getting even a partial refund if I pulled them out.

[Anonymous]

OP again; I forgot to add, it is a 2 weeks camp. And both kids just really, really didn't not enjoy the first day at all.

I don't need the coverage for work or anything. I signed them up thinking it would be a treat, a fun summer activity. There is always a wait list for this camp and it fills up early so I thought it would be fun! But they both are dragging their feet about going back. Don't know what to do.

[Anonymous]

That was ONE day! Give it a chance! I think THAT is the message I would want to give my children.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, make them go! What are you teaching them? Quit, if you don't like it you don't have to do it? Even if it sucks it is only 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, they said that it was disorganized and very few activities; pretty babyish.

I think it is OK to quit stuff that's not fun if the point is to have a good time.

[Anonymous]

Have them try at least another 2 or 3 days. It's not the activities that are important -- it's spending time away from parents (sorry ) and with other kids.

[Anonymous]

Was there a refund policy on their website or in the information you received or signed?

We had a similar situation - wanted DC to learn to stick with something in theory. However, the camp was not what we thought it would be at all and it just wasn't a good fit. I think it's fine to quit and regroup in that situation. I also want my kid to to know he can tell me something is going wrong!

[Anonymous]

The camp information just specifies there's a non refundable fee if you drop out before camp starts, and that I need to check with the location for further info which I will do at drop off today.

This isn't my kids' only summer camps (or time away from mom!) and my experience with PGPARKS camps has been that some are truly great, and some are awful, and if it isn't good the first day, it isn't going to get better.

The camps are what they are: safe, affordable summer daycare, in many (most) cases. There have been times when that was what I needed. And I made my kids "stick it out" in those cases, because I had to and they had to. But these next two weeks, I actually DON'T need care. I just thought it would be a fun experience for the kids. Since I know there was a wait list for the camp and I also think that at least some families actually need care this week, I think I'll see if we can pull them out and free up the space for someone who needs it.

[Anonymous]

This happened to us. A camp for my DD was rated up to 5th grade, but clearly geared for a younger group. She didn’t want to return. I didn’t make her go back, nor did I receive any refund. I didn’t want her spending the week doing age inappropriate events. (Interesting the following year they adjusted the top age to 2nd graders.) I viewed it as a lesson to her that we try to find good camps, but they don’t always work out. Because I was free, it was OK. Funny, this summer she was a counselor at a camp with a 2 5th graders and 6 Ks. She said it brought back memories and that she felt sorry for the 5th graders because the camp was geared for the Ks.

[Anonymous]

We're finding out the same thing about another camp geared for 6-14 year olds. I think I'm going to stay away from camps with such a large age range from now on.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree, PPs, about the too-wide age range. We're finding that just didn't work for our DC, especially if she's on the top end of that range. I'm sure it also depends on the mix of kids who show up, but we'll make that adjustment next year.

[Anonymous]

To all the pp.'s telling her to make them stick it out, pls do not make young children stick it out at camps they don't enjoy! If your child hates a camp listen to them.