Do many more kids go to overnight camps these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

[Anonymous]

A lot of posh camps here! I did a week at a YMCA camp as a kid each summer. Loved it.

When DC is older, I fully expect some time at camp to be part of the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

She is being self righteous. The parents who send their kids to summer camp aren't not fulfilling their parental duties 24/7 and want the rest of us to feel bad about our choices.

[Anonymous]

I always wanted to go to an overnight camp, but never got the chance.

I'm considering sending my boys but what do you all do about tick precautions? He's already had tick bites that he had to go on antibiotics for so I have a tendency to be cautious with regards to ticks.

Are there less ticks in areas like Maine or upstate NY? Around here it seems like they are prolific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a feww:

Brant Lake-NY
Point of Pines-NY
Camp Chipinaw-NY
Scatico-NY

Vega-ME
Indian Acres-ME
Laurel-ME
Androscoggin-ME
Tripp LAke-ME

Thanks but looking for a kosher Jewish camp.

Try Pine Forest Camp in the Poconos. Really nice camp, is kosher, and has been in operation for more than 50 years.
Here's the website:
http://www.pineforestcamp.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My kid has been gone for 2 weeks already. She will be at camp for at least another 2 weeks and is asking to stay longer. I miss her very very much. But that is my issue, not hers. I know that I'm providing her a great experience. I would not let my feelings about missing her take precedent over her enjoyment and what she is learning at camp.

I disagree with you that a certain bond is missing. For a child to be comfortable away from home for an extended period of time, they have to know that they are safe, loved, and have been given multiple opportunities to assert their independence over the years. The nurturing of this relationship creates a very strong bond between parent and child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My kid has been gone for 2 weeks already. She will be at camp for at least another 2 weeks and is asking to stay longer. I miss her very very much. But that is my issue, not hers. I know that I'm providing her a great experience. I would not let my feelings about missing her take precedent over her enjoyment and what she is learning at camp.

I disagree with you that a certain bond is missing. For a child to be comfortable away from home for an extended period of time, they have to know that they are safe, loved, and have been given multiple opportunities to assert their independence over the years. The nurturing of this relationship creates a very strong bond between parent and child.

+1, this is my philosophy as well. As hard as it may be for me at times, I would rather give my DDs the chance to gradually increase their independence from me & DH through fun, safe opportunities like sleep-away camps and school-sponsored travel than have their first experience of extended stay away from home be when they reach college age. I favor the idea of starting early and taking baby steps.

[Anonymous]

I disagree about the bonding comment too. My son is comfortable enough with our bond to know that he will be fine being away from me for 2 weeks. I wouldn't have sent him to camp if he didn't feel this way. It is time for him to try new things without me being present to see it all. This is good for kids especially these days with so many helicopter parents. And it is true what a PP wrote that you can do what you want and be who you want at camp. My son rode horses, went kayaking, fishing, rock climbing and so many other activities that he would not have done at home. I can't afford all summer (and his camp only has a month long main session anyway).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

I find it healthy for a kid to slowly learn to be away from their parents instead of being dropped off at college one day having never been away for multiple weeks. It's responsible parenting and healthier. It also allows a well bonded parent learn to deal whit he absence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a feww:

Brant Lake-NY
Point of Pines-NY
Camp Chipinaw-NY
Scatico-NY

Vega-ME
Indian Acres-ME
Laurel-ME
Androscoggin-ME
Tripp LAke-ME

Thanks but looking for a kosher Jewish camp.

Try Pine Forest Camp in the Poconos. Really nice camp, is kosher, and has been in operation for more than 50 years.
Here's the website:
http://www.pineforestcamp.com/

Pine forest is not a kosher camp. They offer kosher meals. There is a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grew up on Long Island, NY. Tons of kids went to sleep-away camp, all the others went to day camp. I literally did not know of ANY kid who didn't go to camp until the summer before 8th grade. Nobody asked, "Are you going to camp?" but "Which camp do you go to?"

Also everyone went for eight weeks. The idea of one week here and two weeks there is completely foreign to me. My kids go for 8 weeks. I can't understand all these people constantly going to the beach and on all these various trips. We have to work.

.

I grew up in an affluent area of Long Island as well. I never went to sleep-away camp, or even a day camp other than mini-programs. Most of my Jewish friends went to sleep away camps for the summer, but none of my Roman Catholic (mostly Italian) friends did -- I was Catholic as well. I think it was a cultural thing to some extent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Maybe it would comfort the PP to know that there is little/no screen time at most sleep away camps.

(On the other hand, there is frequently gluten and sugar, so it's probably a trade-off.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never done it and I never will. That's not how I parent.

Genuinely curious, with no snark, but what do you mean "it's not how you parent"? Isn't it just a summer activity for kids? Is there some greater significance that I'm missing such as overnight camp being associated with a particular parenting philosophy? I guess the short version of what I'm asking is - why not?

I think a certain bond is missing if a parent feels okay being without their kids for many weeks.

My kid has been gone for 2 weeks already. She will be at camp for at least another 2 weeks and is asking to stay longer. I miss her very very much. But that is my issue, not hers. I know that I'm providing her a great experience. I would not let my feelings about missing her take precedent over her enjoyment and what she is learning at camp.

I disagree with you that a certain bond is missing. For a child to be comfortable away from home for an extended period of time, they have to know that they are safe, loved, and have been given multiple opportunities to assert their independence over the years. The nurturing of this relationship creates a very strong bond between parent and child.

+1

If your kid wants to go to camp, can handle all it involves, and you can afford it, it seems selfish to keep them at home simply because you'd miss them too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a feww:

Brant Lake-NY
Point of Pines-NY
Camp Chipinaw-NY
Scatico-NY

Vega-ME
Indian Acres-ME
Laurel-ME
Androscoggin-ME
Tripp LAke-ME

Thanks but looking for a kosher Jewish camp.

Camp Modin in Maine

I've looked at it and it looks awesome. I have the DVD and brochure sitting on my desk. I may take DD up to visit this summer. But honestly, it looks more like a country club than summer camp. I've seen a few if the videos that they've posted for breaking color war and it just seems a bit over the top. I have the names and numbers if a few people from the area who attend. I should give them a call to talk about my concerns. Perhaps they're unfounded.

It is not a country club. It is a nice camp on a nice lake. Lots of Solomon Schecter kids from NYC. Look at Laurel if you want to see what a "country club camp" looks like.

This is music to my ears. Thank you for this information. Do you have first hand knowledge of the camp? Did you go there? Do you send your kids there? Can you share more about it?

We went as a family to see it. Director is very hands on. Lake is nice but that is what you expect for Maine. That is the big difference bet Maine and PA. Shabbat is fully celebrated so no activities on Sat. Our impression is that it was well maintained a good but not large contingent of DC and MD kids which is what we wanted. Ultimately my DC decided they wanted a stronger sports camp. Very important to see the camp. Our impressions may not fit your family or your child. Good luck! Camp is so great for kids.

Thank you so much for providing this information. I really appreciate it.

New Jersey Y Camps also runs several camps, including Na-jee-wah and Cedar Lake, which are jewish unaffiliated and kosher. Very well run camps with tons of activities; very down to earth. They also have a special needs camp embedded within the mainstream camp which is beneficial to both the special needs and mainstream campers. Although it's run by NJ "Y", not everyone is from NY and NJ. Good luck!