Has anyone sent their nervous uptight indoorsy child to an outdoor 6 week camp?

[Anonymous]

Try a 2 week camp. Some camps still have 2 week camps for 10 yr olds. It's long enough for him to get a real feel of camp and short enough so he won't get too homesick. My son is going to be 10 and this will be his 3rd summer of camp and he is still only going for 2 weeks. His camp doesn't even offer 6 weeks. The longest session is 4 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Nah, 2 weeks isn't nearly long enough.
Full summer sleep away is what this kid needs. Find a good camp. You'll likely find that he rises to the challenge and exceeds your expectations.

I'd do this in a heartbeat for my DS, if we had the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do a one week DAY camp first.

[Anonymous]

Try an artsy camp like Bucks Rock (if you can afford it) - gets him in a social group, outdoors but not sports emphasized (more like archery and kayaking on the sports side) and let's him be quiet and not "rah rah"

[Anonymous]

What about Baltimore Yearly Meeting Camps? Non competitive. Although it may be too late for this year.

[Anonymous]

I suck at sports and my parents sent me to an overnight sports camp. It sucked.

I too did not like sleeping in yucky cabins etc.

Send him to a couple weeks at a camp that is at a college dorm where he can pursue his interests.

[Anonymous]

Who sends their ten year old away for 6 weeks? Awful. Tell your sister to shove it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll buck the trend here---sending our 11 year old son who sounds similar to your son away for camp for 7 weeks was one of the best things that ever happened to him. There's a magical formula at sleepaway camp that just can't be replicated at day camp (and I speak from experience because we did Valley Mill and Calleva previous summers). Couldn't believe how much our son grew emotionally by living in a community of other boys away from hovering parents for the summer and completely unplugging. You're going to hear from allot of skeptics but I'm here to tell you that if you partner with the right camp, the results can be astonishing. When looking at camps, it's very important to trust your gut and try to find the best fit. We knew a sports-focused camp wouldn't work and sought an environment where "quirky" would be embraced. The only part of your post that concerned me was the phobia of germs----that could be unsettling at sleepaway camp where the accommodations are pretty austere.

We sent my daughter for 2 weeks and she hated it. And she isn't the indoor only girl. Some kids like camp. Some don't. Sending them away for a whole summer is wiping your hands of them and hoping they come back fixed. What kind of message are you sending?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll buck the trend here---sending our 11 year old son who sounds similar to your son away for camp for 7 weeks was one of the best things that ever happened to him. There's a magical formula at sleepaway camp that just can't be replicated at day camp (and I speak from experience because we did Valley Mill and Calleva previous summers). Couldn't believe how much our son grew emotionally by living in a community of other boys away from hovering parents for the summer and completely unplugging. You're going to hear from allot of skeptics but I'm here to tell you that if you partner with the right camp, the results can be astonishing. When looking at camps, it's very important to trust your gut and try to find the best fit. We knew a sports-focused camp wouldn't work and sought an environment where "quirky" would be embraced. The only part of your post that concerned me was the phobia of germs----that could be unsettling at sleepaway camp where the accommodations are pretty austere.

We sent my daughter for 2 weeks and she hated it. And she isn't the indoor only girl. Some kids like camp. Some don't. Sending them away for a whole summer is wiping your hands of them and hoping they come back fixed. What kind of message are you sending?

Sounds like you chose a poor camp! We weren't "wiping your hands of them". We spent YEARS researching camps to ensure we chose one that would be an optimal fit. We got DAILY updates from the camp director, weekly letters from our son, and visited for an incredible parent's weekend at the halfway point. It also wasn't for the whole summer---but long enough to have a meaningful impact. There is not a day that has gone by since where our son hasn't talked about camp and is eager to go back. Yes---it was a huge leap of faith but, in hindsight, one of the best parenting decisions we ever made. I think sleepaway camp will make make the eventual transition to college much, much easier. "Benign neglect" parenting works much better for our family than helicopter parenting. The camp has been in existence for 100 years---clearly others have seen the benefits.

[Anonymous]

No way for 6 weeks
Try a week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll buck the trend here---sending our 11 year old son who sounds similar to your son away for camp for 7 weeks was one of the best things that ever happened to him. There's a magical formula at sleepaway camp that just can't be replicated at day camp (and I speak from experience because we did Valley Mill and Calleva previous summers). Couldn't believe how much our son grew emotionally by living in a community of other boys away from hovering parents for the summer and completely unplugging. You're going to hear from allot of skeptics but I'm here to tell you that if you partner with the right camp, the results can be astonishing. When looking at camps, it's very important to trust your gut and try to find the best fit. We knew a sports-focused camp wouldn't work and sought an environment where "quirky" would be embraced. The only part of your post that concerned me was the phobia of germs----that could be unsettling at sleepaway camp where the accommodations are pretty austere.

We sent my daughter for 2 weeks and she hated it. And she isn't the indoor only girl. Some kids like camp. Some don't. Sending them away for a whole summer is wiping your hands of them and hoping they come back fixed. What kind of message are you sending?

Sounds like you chose a poor camp! We weren't "wiping your hands of them". We spent YEARS researching camps to ensure we chose one that would be an optimal fit. We got DAILY updates from the camp director, weekly letters from our son, and visited for an incredible parent's weekend at the halfway point. It also wasn't for the whole summer---but long enough to have a meaningful impact. There is not a day that has gone by since where our son hasn't talked about camp and is eager to go back. Yes---it was a huge leap of faith but, in hindsight, one of the best parenting decisions we ever made. I think sleepaway camp will make make the eventual transition to college much, much easier. "Benign neglect" parenting works much better for our family than helicopter parenting. The camp has been in existence for 100 years---clearly others have seen the benefits.

Ok
It was great for your kid
Other pp's kid did not like it
Do you truly think that e Rey kid is going to like every thing ????
Seriously?
I never did sleep away camp and I went away for college and never looked back.
There is no magic formula ya know!

[Anonymous]

Try a day camp. I was introverted as a child and I went to a sleep away camp for one week with a friend when I was 10. I cried every day. By high school I was outgoing and went away to college without a problem. I see what my parents were trying and I had a friend, but I didn't get anything positive out of the experience. I remember freezing cold swimming, bugs, lack of privacy and dirt. All I wanted was my own house. This is not the type of person I am as an adult but it was very real at the time.

[Anonymous]

There is a difference betwwen 10 and 11. so I would only send your child to one or two weeks at the most. Eleven-year-olds are often ready for more independence. Old camp counselor here and it is tough for kids who are not used to being away from home with scouts or grandparents to do this.

Try YMCA Camp Silver Beach - really well rounded. If you think you need something smaller with fewer, but no less fun try St. Charles camp (Catholic). Great staff at both and long time consistent leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll buck the trend here---sending our 11 year old son who sounds similar to your son away for camp for 7 weeks was one of the best things that ever happened to him. There's a magical formula at sleepaway camp that just can't be replicated at day camp (and I speak from experience because we did Valley Mill and Calleva previous summers). Couldn't believe how much our son grew emotionally by living in a community of other boys away from hovering parents for the summer and completely unplugging. You're going to hear from allot of skeptics but I'm here to tell you that if you partner with the right camp, the results can be astonishing. When looking at camps, it's very important to trust your gut and try to find the best fit. We knew a sports-focused camp wouldn't work and sought an environment where "quirky" would be embraced. The only part of your post that concerned me was the phobia of germs----that could be unsettling at sleepaway camp where the accommodations are pretty austere.

We sent my daughter for 2 weeks and she hated it. And she isn't the indoor only girl. Some kids like camp. Some don't. Sending them away for a whole summer is wiping your hands of them and hoping they come back fixed. What kind of message are you sending?

Sounds like you chose a poor camp! We weren't "wiping your hands of them". We spent YEARS researching camps to ensure we chose one that would be an optimal fit. We got DAILY updates from the camp director, weekly letters from our son, and visited for an incredible parent's weekend at the halfway point. It also wasn't for the whole summer---but long enough to have a meaningful impact. There is not a day that has gone by since where our son hasn't talked about camp and is eager to go back. Yes---it was a huge leap of faith but, in hindsight, one of the best parenting decisions we ever made. I think sleepaway camp will make make the eventual transition to college much, much easier. "Benign neglect" parenting works much better for our family than helicopter parenting. The camp has been in existence for 100 years---clearly others have seen the benefits.

You spent years researching camps? That is strange. Glad it worked for you but most introverted kids can't be and shouldn't be forced to do 6 weeks of camp to change them. There is nothing wrong with being introverted. Why OP feels she needs to try and change her kid instead of embrace them is the issue here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10 year old DS is nervous and just wants to be inside all day on his computers. He makes friends easily but is not into sports since he fears competition. He says he does not want to go to camp since he does not want to share bathrooms (germ phobe). He also will not experiment with foods, anything new is a big stress.
My sister suggested sleep away camp for over a month next year. This is supposed to bring him out a bit. I am not sure about that approach. I fear that it will completely backfire. The problem is that the high end camps (with good food and lodging) are usually 6-7 weeks minimum.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
Suggestions appreciated.

It will.

Respect the person your child is, and everything will be fine.