| Your DH would never forgive himself if your son was abused. It may seem like a remote chance to you, but his family experienced it and he saw the damage it caused. It was hugely traumatic. Respect that. Sleepaway camp is not a big deal. If it’s that important to you your son spend 24/7 with peers, he can live in a freshman dorm when he’s 18. |
| Your kids don't have to go to sleep away camp. Your dh actually has a point, even though he's probably being more overprotective. |
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Dcum treats sleep away camp the same it way it views girl scout cookies sales-like they are required to be a happy, successful adult.
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Another vote for sleep away camp not being a must do. |
+1 I agree with PP on both points. |
| I spent 6+ weeks at traditional summer camps growing up. This is a lifestyle shift for me, ok? |
| +1 to sleepaway camp not being necessary. I went to one, didn't like it, and didn't go to any more. I'm a productive adult who went away to college and lives with my family in a place that is not where I grew up. |
I said taking a class and shadowing a student wasn't a thing, not that they don't allow visitors. |
And honestly, it makes me sad that he'll miss the joys I found at camp. Especially compared to just playing video games in his room all summer. I work - I can't entertain him like a camp can. |
Go with daycamps as a compromise. |
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Of course sleepaway camp isn’t a requirement, but it’s also not fair for a father’s irrational fears to hold his kid back.
My husband was molested by a scout leader. But when our son was interested in Cub Scouts, he took a deep breath and made it work for our kid’s sake, even if he didn’t love the idea. |
He complains about those, vocally. And they're very difficult as far as logistics. |
There are all sorts of day camps around here for most interests OP. Being outside, riding horses, doing robotics, drama, whatever. They are far more common than sleep away camp. |
Sleep away camp? |
OK. What school? |