Spouse Wants to Send DD to a Camp that Costs an Entire Month's Take Home Pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI there are some fantastic YMCA sleepaway camps in the Northeast like in NY that are a fraction of the cost of the fancier sleepaway camps.

Yes but then you won't get those critical life connections that will get your kids into college and get them internships and jobs and friends they can travel the world so what's the point really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing it for my 2 kids. 3 weeks, $7500 per child (in Maine, too!). Not a specialty camp. Will be a months take home for me.

Totally worth it for so many reasons.

That is $350 a day per kid? Do they feed them lobster every meal and turndown the sleeping bag? That is ridiculously expensive.

[Anonymous]

Sleepaway camp is a cultural thing.

If you didn't grow up with it you just don't get it.

Those of who did know it was life changing. If you can't afford it fine, but we don't do it for "connections." We do it because its'a chance to unplug from the high stress world where kids can grow and connect to other people, learn self reliance and new skills, and discover who they are away from the pressures of their home environment, school, and yes, their family.

My urban family was allergic to the outdoors -- at camp I learned to pack-in, hike, canoe, rock-climb and so much more. I became an avid-outdoorswoman in my twenties, and as a mom now I am a GS leader who takes other peoples kids into the woods, on hikes and tries to pay it forward. But honestly, a one-day hike does not cut it. Being in nature for weeks is where it's at.

Add in camp culture -- sense of caring community, songs, traditions etc. and the conflict resolution -- it really is an amazing experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are sending your child to a 10k+ summer camp that is several states away, yes this is a joint parent decision. BUT, if you can financially make it happen I think it is worth it.

Both my kids go to 7 week summer sleep away camps in Maine. They are expensive, about 11k each. There are ones that are much more expensive. They love going and have the best time there. Good wholesome fun, not a screen in sight. They actually have to talk face to face, interact, be bored, learn new skills, resolve small conflicts, etc. It is an invaluable experience. We are not “fancy” people either (whatever you meant by that). My children attend high FARMS public schools. While it is true, no one at camp is living anywhere close to poverty, plenty of camp families are not billionaires.

Sleepaway camp isn’t a must, but if it won’t hurt you financially, your kids will benefit from it. Send them

Can you share which camp in Maine? Looking for something similar (although this price point is high for me)...

https://mainecamps.org/find-a-camp/

There are so many camps in Maine. But you likely won’t find one 6+ weeks for under 10k

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe anyone thinks this is okay. Are people just bad at math?
At what price point would you say that it’s reasonable to spend an entire month’s pay on a three week camp for one child?

If you make enough that you can afford an expensive sleepaway camp, the cost of camp (for one kid) is less than your monthly take home income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These camps are the best. My kids are in public school but their 4 weeks (8 weeks for the older!) at a camp in Maine, while $$$$, is the best choice we ever made. It was the same for me when I was younger, and camp created so many opportunities and connections that I still have today.

Like what? Opportunities and connections, I mean…

In terms of concrete opportunities -- and granted I stayed all the way through counselor years -- I know many, many camp friends for whom (1) they were connected with a prominent family or board member of a college that led to a helpful recommendation/call (this was the 2000s when that was OK); (2) got their first internships and/or then their first jobs through a camp connection (similar to what may happen in a private high school, but I found it MORE helpful because sophomore/junior/senior year when going through this you are still seeing the camp friends regularly); (3) camp friends were their social "in" and who they lived with when we all moved to big cities after college (NYC, SF, DC). With (3), it was nice because the camp connection is there, but you get exposed to each other's entirely separate friend/college groups. Then of the 5 or so "connections" my husband and I had when we met in our 30s, two are camp friends. And camp people are who I contacted (over my college friends) in my 20s/30s when I wanted to travel, because they tend to be more worldly and adventurous and prioritize new and uncomfortable experiences (and it would be wrong not to admit they also have the resources).

But in a larger sense, it is a crazy confidence builder. Particularly working as a counselor and having a lot of responsibility and direct reports as a 16-20 year old, it's really fantastic experience. I'm in my 40s in finance now, and when I lead meetings, have brainstorming sessions, deal with personnel matters, etc., I always think about how 12+ years of camper/counselor skills molded me so much more than my formal schooling.

I think ZI know that camp.

Dids it produce two DOJ prosecutors that have adecent shot at being AG or AAG?

For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

and on and on.

+1 to sending her. Let her live outside for a few weeks this summer. Let her sleep under the stars, chase lightning bugs, eat in the mess hall, play in the lake and be carefree with friends. Leave the digital world behind.

Shit, the last two years was so hard on all of us. This might energize her to become some scientist that discovers a cure for pandemics....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These camps are the best. My kids are in public school but their 4 weeks (8 weeks for the older!) at a camp in Maine, while $$$$, is the best choice we ever made. It was the same for me when I was younger, and camp created so many opportunities and connections that I still have today.

Like what? Opportunities and connections, I mean…

In terms of concrete opportunities -- and granted I stayed all the way through counselor years -- I know many, many camp friends for whom (1) they were connected with a prominent family or board member of a college that led to a helpful recommendation/call (this was the 2000s when that was OK); (2) got their first internships and/or then their first jobs through a camp connection (similar to what may happen in a private high school, but I found it MORE helpful because sophomore/junior/senior year when going through this you are still seeing the camp friends regularly); (3) camp friends were their social "in" and who they lived with when we all moved to big cities after college (NYC, SF, DC). With (3), it was nice because the camp connection is there, but you get exposed to each other's entirely separate friend/college groups. Then of the 5 or so "connections" my husband and I had when we met in our 30s, two are camp friends. And camp people are who I contacted (over my college friends) in my 20s/30s when I wanted to travel, because they tend to be more worldly and adventurous and prioritize new and uncomfortable experiences (and it would be wrong not to admit they also have the resources).

But in a larger sense, it is a crazy confidence builder. Particularly working as a counselor and having a lot of responsibility and direct reports as a 16-20 year old, it's really fantastic experience. I'm in my 40s in finance now, and when I lead meetings, have brainstorming sessions, deal with personnel matters, etc., I always think about how 12+ years of camper/counselor skills molded me so much more than my formal schooling.

I think ZI know that camp.

Dids it produce two DOJ prosecutors that have adecent shot at being AG or AAG?

For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

and on and on.

+1 to sending her. Let her live outside for a few weeks this summer. Let her sleep under the stars, chase lightning bugs, eat in the mess hall, play in the lake and be carefree with friends. Leave the digital world behind.

Shit, the last two years was so hard on all of us. This might energize her to become some scientist that discovers a cure for pandemics....

Why wouldn’t you learn these things with your family? I get that being a counselor and working on conflict resolution sounds like a skill that kids could practice well in an small group setting away from teachers and parents, or that being exposed to different leadership styles/ group cultures could be beneficial. But what you list are just basic outdoor skills. You learn that stuff camping with friends, in Scouts, on trips with family.

I also don’t really get why you need camp to leave screens behind. Just don’t give your kids screens. My kids play with their friends in the woods every week. It doesn’t involve paying a month’s salary. It’s free — they just go mess around in creeks, catch toads and bugs, learn about plants or hike with us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These camps are the best. My kids are in public school but their 4 weeks (8 weeks for the older!) at a camp in Maine, while $$$$, is the best choice we ever made. It was the same for me when I was younger, and camp created so many opportunities and connections that I still have today.

Like what? Opportunities and connections, I mean…

In terms of concrete opportunities -- and granted I stayed all the way through counselor years -- I know many, many camp friends for whom (1) they were connected with a prominent family or board member of a college that led to a helpful recommendation/call (this was the 2000s when that was OK); (2) got their first internships and/or then their first jobs through a camp connection (similar to what may happen in a private high school, but I found it MORE helpful because sophomore/junior/senior year when going through this you are still seeing the camp friends regularly); (3) camp friends were their social "in" and who they lived with when we all moved to big cities after college (NYC, SF, DC). With (3), it was nice because the camp connection is there, but you get exposed to each other's entirely separate friend/college groups. Then of the 5 or so "connections" my husband and I had when we met in our 30s, two are camp friends. And camp people are who I contacted (over my college friends) in my 20s/30s when I wanted to travel, because they tend to be more worldly and adventurous and prioritize new and uncomfortable experiences (and it would be wrong not to admit they also have the resources).

But in a larger sense, it is a crazy confidence builder. Particularly working as a counselor and having a lot of responsibility and direct reports as a 16-20 year old, it's really fantastic experience. I'm in my 40s in finance now, and when I lead meetings, have brainstorming sessions, deal with personnel matters, etc., I always think about how 12+ years of camper/counselor skills molded me so much more than my formal schooling.

I think ZI know that camp.

Dids it produce two DOJ prosecutors that have adecent shot at being AG or AAG?

For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

and on and on.

+1 to sending her. Let her live outside for a few weeks this summer. Let her sleep under the stars, chase lightning bugs, eat in the mess hall, play in the lake and be carefree with friends. Leave the digital world behind.

Shit, the last two years was so hard on all of us. This might energize her to become some scientist that discovers a cure for pandemics....

Why wouldn’t you learn these things with your family? I get that being a counselor and working on conflict resolution sounds like a skill that kids could practice well in an small group setting away from teachers and parents, or that being exposed to different leadership styles/ group cultures could be beneficial. But what you list are just basic outdoor skills. You learn that stuff camping with friends, in Scouts, on trips with family.

I also don’t really get why you need camp to leave screens behind. Just don’t give your kids screens. My kids play with their friends in the woods every week. It doesn’t involve paying a month’s salary. It’s free — they just go mess around in creeks, catch toads and bugs, learn about plants or hike with us.

You don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

We do all that stuff (except crabbing) at a YMCA camp that's under $2,500 for four of us for a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

We do all that stuff (except crabbing) at a YMCA camp that's under $2,500 for four of us for a week.

And?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

We do all that stuff (except crabbing) at a YMCA camp that's under $2,500 for four of us for a week.

What do you mean “the four of us” ? YOU aren’t supposed to be part of your child’s sleepaway summer camp experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes- it's one of those fancy NE camps with obscene costs. Which is also off putting because we aren't fancy or northern.

DD isn't special needs at all and is extremely outgoing/social who would do just fine at a 2 week overnight YMCA camp for $2500

I don't think it's insane to want something "more" for your children and to expose them to way of life that is different from yours, especially if they express an interest and you can do it. It's the same to me as saving for a family trip out of the country even if everyone would do just fine driving to the state fair. I completely understand if you think all of that is a waste of money but your husband doesn't and many other people don't. I disagree with how your husband approached the situation. Clearly your daughter's interest in the camp should have been a family discussion - but is the reason why it wasn't because they knew you wouldn't get it?

[Anonymous]

I send my kids to a camp that costs $7k for four weeks. They love it, and I’m happy to do it.
That being said, there is absolutely no way I would have done that when we had a HHI of $120k/yr and a take home pay of $7k/month. Spending 1/12th of your yearly income on a three week camp is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

We do all that stuff (except crabbing) at a YMCA camp that's under $2,500 for four of us for a week.

And?

And you don't have to spend an outlandish sum on a camp in Maine to go do all that stuff as the PP would have us believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For those that didn't go to camp, where did you learn to:

canoe
water ski
sail
swim
shoot archery and rifles
make a fire
pitch a tent
tie dye
cook foil packets
row a rowboat
fish
crab

We do all that stuff (except crabbing) at a YMCA camp that's under $2,500 for four of us for a week.

What do you mean “the four of us” ? YOU aren’t supposed to be part of your child’s sleepaway summer camp experience

YMCA is a family camp FFS.