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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Try a one week camp first.

[Anonymous]

I would worry about it backfiring. I have a 10 year old DS who is the same way. I signed him up for a 2 week outdoors camp through Adventurelinks. He sat out many of the activities.

[Anonymous]

I get where you are coming from -- I sent 10 yr. old DD to one week of GS camp last year and got letters saying "I can't take this..." It was sad. I'm still glad she did it -- but I don't know if 6 weeks would be the right move. It's a lot of money.

I like the idea of doing a 2 week adventurous day camp this year. Assess. Maybe two weeks of sleep away camp next year (or not). Maybe one week next year of sleep away.

Are you looking to "fix" his introversion by sending him for 6 weeks? Or are you looking to give him a happy summer experience? If the latter, then I'd move more slowly and work with his interests instead of trying to make him more extroverted/outdoorsy. Let him come into his own rather than thrusting him into an uncomfortable situation.

[Anonymous]

Do a one week DAY camp first.

[Anonymous]

Why not take some small steps locally this spring/summer/fall to get your kid away from his computers: day hike with Mom or Dad, kayaking with Mom or Dad, train for and run a fun 5k race (again, something kid could do with Mom or Dad, assuming at least one parent is able-bodied). If given the opportunities, kid may find a new, outdoor interest that could keep him active his whole life (and that is not a competitive sport).

[Anonymous]

I'd try it out first for a shorter time period and also try to find a friend or cousin who can go with him.

[Anonymous]

Try something like Camp Greenway. Some kids aren't meant for sleepaway camp at that age.

[Anonymous]

Yup. I signed her up for 6 weeks of a very outdoorsy day camp that served lunch. She thrived and got a chance to play a sport she had never tried. 3+ years later she is still taking lessons and playing on a travel team (no, not soccer). She will try out for her school team next year. After our success with day camp, we sent her to a sleep away camp and she loved it. She will be going again this summer. She looks forward to camp all year.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't you try and Outdoor Day Camp like Valley Mill or Calleva?

[Anonymous]

This describes both my kids and they thrived at camp. Just be careful about the camp. There are some that place a huge emphasis on sports and you should avoid these.

[Anonymous]

I was this kid. My parents sent me to a really relaxed hippie camp for three weeks and I LOVED IT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try a one week camp first.

Of day camp if at all.

Seriously, OP, what's your goal? Do you want him to become more outdoorsy, active, less of a germaphobe? I'd say pick activities that he has a chance at enjoying and being successful at. The germaphobe issue may require counseling.

If your kid has anxieties, dumping him in what would be to him a hellish environment, would just be mean and counterproductive.

[Anonymous]

Try Valley Mill or Calleva. Calleva includes an overnight at this age.

[Anonymous]

I'm gonna be a dissenter to the day camp advocates and say you should send him to sleepaway, although I would look at a shorter time period. If he goes to day camp even an outdoorsy one like Calleva, he will come home and want to get on the xbox. Also, I doubt he'll make friends at Calleva since the camper group changes each week. Whereas at sleepaway camp, he will be electronics free all day and night, and hopefully will have a fun time bonding with the kids and won't care that he doesn't have his ipod touch in hand when he is chilling out. I agree with the poster who said to make sure it is not a super sporty camp. There are plenty of great camps that offer 2 and 3 week sessions, not just 6-7 weeks. Also many times if you ask the camp will let you do a shorter period if you are a frist time camper. Camp Emerson in the Bershires could be a good fit. More locally, Tall Timbers and Twin Creeks.