Do you send your kids to summer camps?

[Anonymous]

We do camps practically every week of the summer, except for the two vacation weeks we take. This year two of them are week long sleep-away camps, but DS is 10. His first sleep-away camp was at 9, but I don't really count it b/c his dad was with him as one of the scout masters. Most of the kids in our area do camps all summer and probably one or two sleep away camps. I don't know any that do month long or more sleep away camps, but I have heard it's more common among native North Easterners (we're from the Midwest originally).

[Anonymous]

As for recommendations, it is worth taking your time to look at camps as they vary widely in quality. My kids have tried 4 different sleep away camps and the one we like the best is in NH. Awesome facilities, staff that comes back year after year and is well-supervised, great traditions, and campers that get to know each other well because they do not have many sessions (you have to go for 3 1/2 weeks or 7 weeks). We have not been as happy with camps closer to DC although some of them cost just as much or more. Also, IMHO, the best years for camp are the middle school years.

[Anonymous]

I did girl scout camps every summer age 7-12. First summer was just one week, second summer was two sessions with a week home in between, the rest were the whole summer. But I came home between every session for a day (Saturday around noon for pick-up and Sunday drop-off). Single mother family, very much in poverty, the only reason I got to go was because I sold cookies and used all the money for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As for recommendations, it is worth taking your time to look at camps as they vary widely in quality. My kids have tried 4 different sleep away camps and the one we like the best is in NH. Awesome facilities, staff that comes back year after year and is well-supervised, great traditions, and campers that get to know each other well because they do not have many sessions (you have to go for 3 1/2 weeks or 7 weeks). We have not been as happy with camps closer to DC although some of them cost just as much or more. Also, IMHO, the best years for camp are the middle school years.

What's the name of the camp in NH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one DS aged 7 and one DD aged 4 and I have been hearing from a few colleagues lately about how they are ready to send their kids (anywhere from my DS's age to mid-teens) off to camp this summer. Some of these camps are like $7,000 or $8,000 for a full session (about two months). Are they worth it? Any stories from people who have sent their kids to these summer camps? They seem very "snobby" though I like the idea of my kids being immersed activities, sports, and socialization.

My 7 yr old loves camp. She's going back for 7 weeks this summer. She ended up extending for the full summer last year. She's just one of those kids that the expression Live 10 For 2 applies to.

Last summer she learned independence, how to negotiate social relationships, tried new activities and foods, and learned how to take responsibility and be accountable for actions and behavior.

Yes it costs $7-$8 but you have to compare it to an expensive day camp. Our camp offers rock climbing, water skiing, zip lines, gymnastics, swimming, water sports as well as the traditional camp stuff like field sports and art and crafts. A day camp that offers all of this is going to cost $500/week for 9-5. Yes sleepaway camp is double. But they provide evening and weekend activities and all the food. I would say apples to apples sleep away is a bit more but not that much more than 7 weeks of day camp. IMO it's worth it.

A 7yr old away for the whole summer? You must be a troll or a really shitty parent that their kid prefers a camp bed to seeing their parents for 3 months.

No a 6 year old. The PP said her child is 7 right now so must have been 6 last summer. So she sent her 6 year old ( who probably just finished kindergarten) to 7 weeks of camp.

PP with the 7 yr old. Her birthday is in June. She was 7 and completed 1st grade last summer. She is still 7 now. She will be 8 in a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

my 7 yo ds won't even go to camp with a 3pm pick up. He said half day only. Obviously, I'm not working so I hope he outgrows his desire to be home, by the time I get a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 and 7 are too young for a two month camp (maybe the 7 yo)....My DD (13 yo) is very much looking forward to her three week summer camp. She loves it...

My experience was a little different, though. Make sure you are sending the child to a camp with appropriate supervision. I was placed in a bunk with 12 - 13 yo's when I was 10...there was no supervision, and I was sexually abused in there. As in forced to perform oral sex. I was reluctant to send my DD to camp, but she really wanted to go, and I researched to supervision at the camp...4 counselors sleeping in every bunk.

This.

I never went to camp-but we traveled and stayed with host families for tournaments and one girl was molested by somebody in host family.

In camp/boarding school situations it is not always the counselor, etc---sometimes it's oldee campers.

I have boys and won't have male babysitters and won't send them to sleep away camps. Sleepovers--I'm cautious. We have to know family members very, very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my 7 yo ds won't even go to camp with a 3pm pick up. He said half day only. Obviously, I'm not working so I hope he outgrows his desire to be home, by the time I get a job.

So your 7 year old is actually in charge? Does he also refuse to go to school until the end of the school day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to an expensive girls-only summer camp when I was growing up in Texas, where if you were there for 4 years, you got a diamond ring. Being that it was a girls' summer camp in the South, it was practically a finishing school/mini-sorority and I hated every bit of it. After my second year I begged my mom to not force me to go back and I'm really not sure I'm going to inflict an experience like that on my DD.

Waldemar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do camps practically every week of the summer, except for the two vacation weeks we take. This year two of them are week long sleep-away camps, but DS is 10. His first sleep-away camp was at 9, but I don't really count it b/c his dad was with him as one of the scout masters. Most of the kids in our area do camps all summer and probably one or two sleep away camps. I don't know any that do month long or more sleep away camps, but I have heard it's more common among native North Easterners (we're from the Midwest originally).

It isn't a real camp if it is only for a week!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my 7 yo ds won't even go to camp with a 3pm pick up. He said half day only. Obviously, I'm not working so I hope he outgrows his desire to be home, by the time I get a job.

So your 7 year old is actually in charge? Does he also refuse to go to school until the end of the school day?

LOL Don't get your panties all bunched up for a choice I gave my kid for a summer camp (ntm, it's cheaper). But, to answer your question, he once asked if he had to go to school. I told him they would put me in jail if he doesn't go to school and everyone goes to school. He has had stellar attendance the last couple of years.

But really, you can't tell the difference between something that is elective vs mandatory? You sound like a reall a$$wipe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one DS aged 7 and one DD aged 4 and I have been hearing from a few colleagues lately about how they are ready to send their kids (anywhere from my DS's age to mid-teens) off to camp this summer. Some of these camps are like $7,000 or $8,000 for a full session (about two months). Are they worth it? Any stories from people who have sent their kids to these summer camps? They seem very "snobby" though I like the idea of my kids being immersed activities, sports, and socialization.

Jewish families ship their kids off most of the summer. It is a culture thing to not hang out with your kids I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my 7 yo ds won't even go to camp with a 3pm pick up. He said half day only. Obviously, I'm not working so I hope he outgrows his desire to be home, by the time I get a job.

He is 7 - of course he wants to be home. Geez lady, be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one DS aged 7 and one DD aged 4 and I have been hearing from a few colleagues lately about how they are ready to send their kids (anywhere from my DS's age to mid-teens) off to camp this summer. Some of these camps are like $7,000 or $8,000 for a full session (about two months). Are they worth it? Any stories from people who have sent their kids to these summer camps? They seem very "snobby" though I like the idea of my kids being immersed activities, sports, and socialization.

My 7 yr old loves camp. She's going back for 7 weeks this summer. She ended up extending for the full summer last year. She's just one of those kids that the expression Live 10 For 2 applies to.

Last summer she learned independence, how to negotiate social relationships, tried new activities and foods, and learned how to take responsibility and be accountable for actions and behavior.

Yes it costs $7-$8 but you have to compare it to an expensive day camp. Our camp offers rock climbing, water skiing, zip lines, gymnastics, swimming, water sports as well as the traditional camp stuff like field sports and art and crafts. A day camp that offers all of this is going to cost $500/week for 9-5. Yes sleepaway camp is double. But they provide evening and weekend activities and all the food. I would say apples to apples sleep away is a bit more but not that much more than 7 weeks of day camp. IMO it's worth it.

A 7yr old away for the whole summer? You must be a troll or a really shitty parent that their kid prefers a camp bed to seeing their parents for 3 months.

No a 6 year old. The PP said her child is 7 right now so must have been 6 last summer. So she sent her 6 year old ( who probably just finished kindergarten) to 7 weeks of camp.

It has to be a troll. That is so sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one DS aged 7 and one DD aged 4 and I have been hearing from a few colleagues lately about how they are ready to send their kids (anywhere from my DS's age to mid-teens) off to camp this summer. Some of these camps are like $7,000 or $8,000 for a full session (about two months). Are they worth it? Any stories from people who have sent their kids to these summer camps? They seem very "snobby" though I like the idea of my kids being immersed activities, sports, and socialization.

Jewish families ship their kids off most of the summer. It is a culture thing to not hang out with your kids I guess.

Agree that it is cultural. But what purpose does the snark serve?