I know dc will love camp but i'm sad to have him go away for 4 weeks. It's worth it right?

[Anonymous]

OP, DH and I grew up in the NYC area. He went to sleepaway camp for 7 weeks, after a few years at a day camp. I went to a few 2 week overnight camps, and wished I was able to go for longer. My DHs closest friends to this day is his camp crew.

My kids now go to the same sleepaway camp that DH did, and they love it. My older child is now a sophomore in HS, and we offered a teen trip instead of camp, and was adamently refused. By contrast, their cousins also attended camp. Some loved it, and some decided it wasn't for them. Only one way to tell...

As for the SA poster, unfortunately it happens everywhere. Sleepaway camps, day camps, swim teams, etc. The better question to ask of summer camps is what type of background checks are conducted, and how is misconduct treated.

[Anonymous]

I cannot overemphasize how much I hated hated hated camp as a pre-teen/teenager. I am not an anxious person naturally but lost hours and hours of sleep during the weeks leading up to it. I would never send my child to a sleepaway camp for the first time for four weeks. Maybe they love it, but if they don’t it’s an actual form of torture.

I also never thought of sleepaway camp as a class thing but all these “we are high net worth families and sleepaway camp is god” posters are making me think they’re reaaaaal insecure about themselves and their choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot overemphasize how much I hated hated hated camp as a pre-teen/teenager. I am not an anxious person naturally but lost hours and hours of sleep during the weeks leading up to it. I would never send my child to a sleepaway camp for the first time for four weeks. Maybe they love it, but if they don’t it’s an actual form of torture.

I also never thought of sleepaway camp as a class thing but all these “we are high net worth families and sleepaway camp is god” posters are making me think they’re reaaaaal insecure about themselves and their choices.

Op - I hated camp too but ds is very different from me.

[Anonymous]

Nope. That sounds absolutely miserable to me. A week if they want to, sure. A month? Hell no.

But to each their own. I'd find a camp you could start with a shorter session. 4 weeks is a long time to be unhappy if they don't like it.

[Anonymous]

I could not. I would miss them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could not. I would miss them.

Op that’s how I feel!
But then that feels selfish if dc really wants to go. Have him sit around having less fun just bc I would be sad no?

[Anonymous]

How much does 4-8 weeks of sleepaway camp cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

what's the other option?

One?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh, so worth it. I am from NY, my husband from the Deep South and we now live in the Midwest. I had to convince him to let our kids go to camp since it is so unfamiliar to him. But camp was the most formative and wonderful experience of my life. (I started going for 4 weeks and eventually roped my parents into 8) I think it is even more important this day and age- a month with no helicopter parents, no electronics or social media, no boys (I have daughters), no name brand clothes or social pressures. My girls will be going for the first time this summer.)l I think 3.5 weeks is the minimum time needed for acclimating, feeling at home, and getting the full benefit of the camp instruction. Many camps that are really intentional about curriculum, personal growth, etc. have those as minimum time frames, other than for first time campers. My husband is already getting so sad, but if they have even half the experience I did, I will be so happy for them

100% agree! My husband and I are from Midwest. We didn’t have these camps and I honestly thought it was something from years gone by (like in Parent Trap). But a good friend convinced me and it has been the BEST thing for my kids. They started with 3.5 weeks and now go for 7. They love it. It’s a chance to connect with friends from all over the US and really bond and work through differences, learn, and grow, over the course of 7 weeks. No computers, no phones, no homework. Just talking to each actual people all day long, playing games, learning new things they aren’t to do at home (sailing, etc.). They learn it’s ok to be cold, wet, hot, bored, uncomfortable at times and gain resilience through it all. But it is SO hard as a parent to have them away. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel like it is truly great for them, or if they didn’t want to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

what's the other option?

One?

Op - idk. We got a camp consultant (they know all the camps) and they told us all the good/ established New England ones are 3 weeks or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does 4-8 weeks of sleepaway camp cost?

Low end around 10k, up to 17k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh, so worth it. I am from NY, my husband from the Deep South and we now live in the Midwest. I had to convince him to let our kids go to camp since it is so unfamiliar to him. But camp was the most formative and wonderful experience of my life. (I started going for 4 weeks and eventually roped my parents into 8) I think it is even more important this day and age- a month with no helicopter parents, no electronics or social media, no boys (I have daughters), no name brand clothes or social pressures. My girls will be going for the first time this summer.)l I think 3.5 weeks is the minimum time needed for acclimating, feeling at home, and getting the full benefit of the camp instruction. Many camps that are really intentional about curriculum, personal growth, etc. have those as minimum time frames, other than for first time campers. My husband is already getting so sad, but if they have even half the experience I did, I will be so happy for them

100% agree! My husband and I are from Midwest. We didn’t have these camps and I honestly thought it was something from years gone by (like in Parent Trap). But a good friend convinced me and it has been the BEST thing for my kids. They started with 3.5 weeks and now go for 7. They love it. It’s a chance to connect with friends from all over the US and really bond and work through differences, learn, and grow, over the course of 7 weeks. No computers, no phones, no homework. Just talking to each actual people all day long, playing games, learning new things they aren’t to do at home (sailing, etc.). They learn it’s ok to be cold, wet, hot, bored, uncomfortable at times and gain resilience through it all. But it is SO hard as a parent to have them away. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel like it is truly great for them, or if they didn’t want to go.

Op - this is the thing - I’ve heard it’s soooo good for mental health, independence, socialization, friends for life etc etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I already have an existential crisis every 2 seconds about missing ANY time with dcs so it's hard for me to get my head around having them be gone for 4 weeks, but i know they'll love it. or i think they'll love it and i should do it, right?

No. It’s not normal to send your kids away for weeks on end. It’s a very American thing. This is why the American family is splintering and withering. Don’t do it!

[Anonymous]

My kid is already independent, confident, self driven, and has friends for life. We travel internationally every summer. He hangs with his bro. I know it’s a big part of American Jewish culture and a big break for American Parents who both work but much better for kids to be home with family. Huge no!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh, so worth it. I am from NY, my husband from the Deep South and we now live in the Midwest. I had to convince him to let our kids go to camp since it is so unfamiliar to him. But camp was the most formative and wonderful experience of my life. (I started going for 4 weeks and eventually roped my parents into 8) I think it is even more important this day and age- a month with no helicopter parents, no electronics or social media, no boys (I have daughters), no name brand clothes or social pressures. My girls will be going for the first time this summer.)l I think 3.5 weeks is the minimum time needed for acclimating, feeling at home, and getting the full benefit of the camp instruction. Many camps that are really intentional about curriculum, personal growth, etc. have those as minimum time frames, other than for first time campers. My husband is already getting so sad, but if they have even half the experience I did, I will be so happy for them

100% agree! My husband and I are from Midwest. We didn’t have these camps and I honestly thought it was something from years gone by (like in Parent Trap). But a good friend convinced me and it has been the BEST thing for my kids. They started with 3.5 weeks and now go for 7. They love it. It’s a chance to connect with friends from all over the US and really bond and work through differences, learn, and grow, over the course of 7 weeks. No computers, no phones, no homework. Just talking to each actual people all day long, playing games, learning new things they aren’t to do at home (sailing, etc.). They learn it’s ok to be cold, wet, hot, bored, uncomfortable at times and gain resilience through it all. But it is SO hard as a parent to have them away. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel like it is truly great for them, or if they didn’t want to go.

Op - this is the thing - I’ve heard it’s soooo good for mental health, independence, socialization, friends for life etc etc

It is! Don’t listen to the negative people here. The only opinions that matter is your children’s. If they like it and benefit from it, which many do, then it is worth it! You cannot replicate the benefits of a long sleepaway camp with a family vacation. They are just too different.