Was sleepaway camp exactly as it’s made to seem on television? Group hugs and campfire evenings, fun and adventure?!

[Anonymous]

You have to find the right camp for your kid, but YES. My oldest just ages out after going for 9 years. Younger dc is on year 7 at the same camp. They love it. Oldest plans to go back as a counselor once they’re in college.

[Anonymous]

I (60 y.o.) remember looking at the little advertisements in the back of magazines for sleepaway camp when I was young. I dreamt of going to one but there was no way our family would have afforded it. My children have all gone to sleepaway camps multiple times and have had good experiences but were always happy to come home at the end of the session.

[Anonymous]

I LOVED sleep away camp. I was the kid that never wanted to go home. DH went as well and enjoyed his time at camp.

Both of my kids have gone - my DD for 8 years, my DS for 7, and they both will go back as counselors. I think it's a chance to find a special place and learn about yourself. At the risk of sounding really old, I think in this "day and age," it's a good chance for kids to get off of screens, figure out how to resolve conflict face to face and learn how to be independent.

I think the older, established camps and the traditions draw kids back each summer. And of course the campfires, fun and adventure. My kids have so many fond memories that I hear about for weeks and throughout the year. It's also - to sound really simple - a place to be a kid. Get dirty, giggle, not worry about makeup and clean clothes, and just have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to sports camps and day camps as a child but DD asked to go to sleepaway camp at age 12 with friends. She went for 4 weeks to a camp that is not particularly fancy or expensive and learned that she really enjoyed hiking. There was some girl drama but it was handled and she found her people. She noted how being off screens resulted in more time to journal, draw, and write. The growth and maturity she experienced because of her camp stay was noticeable upon return.

Because of other commitments this summer, she went to a 1-week intensive camp with outdoor rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and other adventures. She enjoyed it and made friends but said she would like to go back to the other, longer camp next year so she can
do the 7-night-overnight hiking trip in the Appalachians during her stay.

DD is at the age -- 13-- where day camps have little appeal and so as long as she wants to go to sleepaway camp, we will pay for it. It is much better than fighting over screentime and we know that few of her friends are in town after the 4th of July rolls around or are in structured activities.

When she is old enough for a proper job, she can search for one. Until then, let her go into the wilderness and get out of the DMV bubble.

Can you recommend the whitewater rafting camp? My kid has outgrown her prior outdoor camps, which were pretty tame.

[Anonymous]

Not since I saw Friday the 13th