My DD is at sleepaway camp and I miss her terribly - how do I get through the next few weeks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question: this is not being snarky, I am genuinely interested. The only sleep away camps I know are for Jewish girls or Jewish boys. OP, is this a Jewish camp? And do you think there are other sleep away camps that are not just for one (any) type of group? I just wouldn't want to look into something and show up and have her/him feel left out. I am curious if there is a more mixed camp, by gender, of course. Thanks.

Nope. Only jews are allowed in camp. No intact foreskins on the premises.

ROFLMAO! You tell 'em tiger!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard for me to sympathize. Be thankful you have a child who is developmentally able to go to sleepaway camp. My DS is 9 and nowhere near ready even though we think it would be a great experience for him.

It's hard for me to sympathize. Be thankful you have a child who's alive.

It's hard for me to sympathize. My child(ren) is a conjoined hunchback. I just know they could win the pie eating contests…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10! Just 8 more years until sleepaway camp for us... can't wait!

+1

[Anonymous]

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/a-summer-camp-lesson-goodbye-and-go-away-thank-you-very-much/277145/

Let go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: this is not being snarky, I am genuinely interested. The only sleep away camps I know are for Jewish girls or Jewish boys. OP, is this a Jewish camp? And do you think there are other sleep away camps that are not just for one (any) type of group? I just wouldn't want to look into something and show up and have her/him feel left out. I am curious if there is a more mixed camp, by gender, of course. Thanks.

What rock do you live under? There are girl scout camps, boy scout camps, YMCA camps, nondenominational church camps, Jewish camps, fat camps, cheer camps, soccer camps, miscellaneous sports camps, nerd camps, etc.

[Anonymous]

why the heck did you send your TEN year old away for 3 weeks!! That's a long time. I would bring her home after a week.

[Anonymous]

3 weeks in not that long for a 10 year old, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: this is not being snarky, I am genuinely interested. The only sleep away camps I know are for Jewish girls or Jewish boys. OP, is this a Jewish camp? And do you think there are other sleep away camps that are not just for one (any) type of group? I just wouldn't want to look into something and show up and have her/him feel left out. I am curious if there is a more mixed camp, by gender, of course. Thanks.

are you serious? Where did you grow up? Horse camp? volley ball camp? Gymnastic (woodward) camp? pretty sure you do not have to have any religion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: this is not being snarky, I am genuinely interested. The only sleep away camps I know are for Jewish girls or Jewish boys. OP, is this a Jewish camp? And do you think there are other sleep away camps that are not just for one (any) type of group? I just wouldn't want to look into something and show up and have her/him feel left out. I am curious if there is a more mixed camp, by gender, of course. Thanks.

Yes. There are plenty of kids that aren't for Jewish kids. If you worry about it being a Jewish camp, just ask.

Girl and Boy Scouts and all of the camps I have ever heard of in North Carolina. There are tons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why the heck did you send your TEN year old away for 3 weeks!! That's a long time. I would bring her home after a week.

My son would be very, very glad you don't belong to him. He has a blast at camp. He is a secure kid and is fine with three supervised weeks without me. He gets to do tons of things we could never teach him. As far as he is concerned, camp is Boy Heaven.

Honestly, PP. If it isn't for you or your kid, then don't send him. No reason for so much judgement, though.

[Anonymous]

Sending a 10 yr old to camp for 3 weeks is very typical/normal, PP. you must be one if those parents who can't let go of you child. You need to learn how to do so. It is key.

I went away to camp for 5 weeks a month after I turned 8. I LOVED it. It was in 1976. Best thing my parents ever did for me. It was an all girls camp in Brevard, NC. I went until the summer I was 17. That summer I went to Greece. Now my daughter is at the same camp and also LOVING it. I sent her for only 2 weeks and she is dying to stay longer. I should have signed her up for 4 at least but there is next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sending a 10 yr old to camp for 3 weeks is very typical/normal, PP. you must be one if those parents who can't let go of you child. You need to learn how to do so. It is key.

I went away to camp for 5 weeks a month after I turned 8. I LOVED it. It was in 1976. Best thing my parents ever did for me. It was an all girls camp in Brevard, NC. I went until the summer I was 17. That summer I went to Greece. Now my daughter is at the same camp and also LOVING it. I sent her for only 2 weeks and she is dying to stay longer. I should have signed her up for 4 at least but there is next year.

I am sorry but it is not normal for a 10yr old to be away from their parents for weeks. Why don't Jewish parents ever want to spend time with their kids? Most of them around my way send their kids starting at 8yrs old and go for 4-8wks and occasionally the whole summer. They count down when their kids leave and go on summer vacations without them That is just sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending a 10 yr old to camp for 3 weeks is very typical/normal, PP. you must be one if those parents who can't let go of you child. You need to learn how to do so. It is key.

I went away to camp for 5 weeks a month after I turned 8. I LOVED it. It was in 1976. Best thing my parents ever did for me. It was an all girls camp in Brevard, NC. I went until the summer I was 17. That summer I went to Greece. Now my daughter is at the same camp and also LOVING it. I sent her for only 2 weeks and she is dying to stay longer. I should have signed her up for 4 at least but there is next year.

I am sorry but it is not normal for a 10yr old to be away from their parents for weeks. Why don't Jewish parents ever want to spend time with their kids? Most of them around my way send their kids starting at 8yrs old and go for 4-8wks and occasionally the whole summer. They count down when their kids leave and go on summer vacations without them That is just sad.

No, it is just a different perspective on parenting and childhood. Read "Bringing Up Bebe" - she talks about french parents regularly sending their kids off to sleepaway camps at really young ages, like 5. somehow these kids and their parents manage to have good family relationships and get through life.

[Anonymous]

PP here. And by the way, you don't sound very rational to say "why don't jewish parents want to spend time with their kids?" do you realize what a ridiculous, dramatic, overgeneralization that is? (are you also somehow unaware of the stereotypes of jewish mothers and their bonds with their kids?!?!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your camp have pictures? Our camp posts pictures of the girls every day so I am scouring them every night to find her. Seeing her engaged in the activities has helped a lot. She was fine at drop off and was ready for us to go. I think I would feel the absence more if she was clingy at drop off. If your camp doesn't have pictures every day maybe find one that does next year?

DS's camp posted photos, as well, and it was incredibly helpful to see him genuinely happy and smiling. Don't sorry -- she's fine. Camp is one of the best things you can do for your kids! It has given my dc a huge confidence boost.