We can’t afford camps of any kind

[Anonymous]

I grew up with a SAHM (by choice, not necessity). We were considered upper middle class. I survived two weeks of sleep away camp and then begged my parents to pick me up. I hated it. My mom tried to throw me in a 1/2 day camp and it wasn’t for me either. I’m an introvert and my idea of a relaxing summer was doing laps at the pool, a beach trip, and tons of reading, and hanging out with my mom. I really don’t think camp is a necessity for kids unless their parents work and have nowhere to stick the kids when school is out.

[Anonymous]

You can take your child to free museums, the public pool (several in MoCo have slides), drive to a spot where you can watch freight trains, go get ice cream, go to a splash park in a town center (like Rockville or Silver Spring), etc.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are a failure because you have failed tteach your children how entertain themselves!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents couldn't afford camp when I was a kid. I played in the neighborhood with friends instead. I was happy doing that. You are doing your best - don't be so hard on yourself.

If you can, find fun things to do that are free or low cost on the weekends or see if you can get a college kid or high school kids to babysit a couple half days & do some crafts/play/etc.

I'm from Europe originally and we never went anywhere in the summer. We just played with each other- siblings, neighbors, cousins. We were happy. I grew into a perfect adult and am thriving financially. I don't care about any camps for my kids.

[Anonymous]

Look at Mr Tony’s Adventure Camp.
Also consider a half day camp as they are leas expensive but would provide something to break up the summer.
Finally, check Certifikid

[Anonymous]

One of the reasons I became a SAHM was because my kids cried when they had to go to summer camp. I kid you not. My DH and I were raised without summer camps and spent our days lazing around, hanging out with friends, going to the mall, ice-cream treats, going to the pool, going for vacations, visiting relatives, going on car trips, waking up late, leisurely breakfasts, going to IHOP frequently for pancakes etc., so we too felt that our children were being punished for our working out of home.

When I became a SAHM and later as my kids grew up, they chose camps and activities they wanted to do rather something mandatory or as a childcare substitute. Lack of camps does not mean lack of planning for summer activities, academics, extra curricular, service projects, vacations etc. You can meet your child's goals - physical, emotional, social, academic, extra-curricular, by being creative. Since it is a pandemic, I would have avoided the camps anyways.

BTW - my kids are in HS now. There has not been a single summer that they have not been a part of some activity. Does not have to be camps. And I will certainly not spend my money in an expensive camp. There are many resources available for free and nothing to stop you and them from putting together a unique and satisfying summer program in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a failure.

You are not a failure.

My mother did not believe in camps. She thought why would she give the adventures to strangers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the reasons I became a SAHM was because my kids cried when they had to go to summer camp. I kid you not. My DH and I were raised without summer camps and spent our days lazing around, hanging out with friends, going to the mall, ice-cream treats, going to the pool, going for vacations, visiting relatives, going on car trips, waking up late, leisurely breakfasts, going to IHOP frequently for pancakes etc., so we too felt that our children were being punished for our working out of home.

When I became a SAHM and later as my kids grew up, they chose camps and activities they wanted to do rather something mandatory or as a childcare substitute. Lack of camps does not mean lack of planning for summer activities, academics, extra curricular, service projects, vacations etc. You can meet your child's goals - physical, emotional, social, academic, extra-curricular, by being creative. Since it is a pandemic, I would have avoided the camps anyways.

BTW - my kids are in HS now. There has not been a single summer that they have not been a part of some activity. Does not have to be camps. And I will certainly not spend my money in an expensive camp. There are many resources available for free and nothing to stop you and them from putting together a unique and satisfying summer program in place.

I 100% believe this. I'm a WOHM who was absolutely dreading sending my kindergartener to a series of camps with strangers now that he's aged out of day care. This year I don't have to thanks to covid. Were going to spend the summer with family instead. It's a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the reasons I became a SAHM was because my kids cried when they had to go to summer camp. I kid you not. My DH and I were raised without summer camps and spent our days lazing around, hanging out with friends, going to the mall, ice-cream treats, going to the pool, going for vacations, visiting relatives, going on car trips, waking up late, leisurely breakfasts, going to IHOP frequently for pancakes etc., so we too felt that our children were being punished for our working out of home.

When I became a SAHM and later as my kids grew up, they chose camps and activities they wanted to do rather something mandatory or as a childcare substitute. Lack of camps does not mean lack of planning for summer activities, academics, extra curricular, service projects, vacations etc. You can meet your child's goals - physical, emotional, social, academic, extra-curricular, by being creative. Since it is a pandemic, I would have avoided the camps anyways.

BTW - my kids are in HS now. There has not been a single summer that they have not been a part of some activity. Does not have to be camps. And I will certainly not spend my money in an expensive camp. There are many resources available for free and nothing to stop you and them from putting together a unique and satisfying summer program in place.

I 100% believe this. I'm a WOHM who was absolutely dreading sending my kindergartener to a series of camps with strangers now that he's aged out of day care. This year I don't have to thanks to covid. Were going to spend the summer with family instead. It's a gift.

+1. We are doing a longer beach trip and the rest of the time my kids can go to the pool, hiking, canoeing, etc. Or they’ll wake up late, have brunch, and play video games all afternoon. Who cares, summer is for relaxing, they’ll have the rest of their lives to be on the go doing activities. Adults don’t get summer vacation. My fondest memories were spent just doing nothing in the summer. We are over scheduling our children and if Covid has taught has anything it’s that a lot of them are just fine without the constant lessons and glorified daycares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are a failure because you have failed tteach your children how entertain themselves!

There’s always one of these boomers in the bunch. Go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are a failure because you have failed tteach your children how entertain themselves!

There’s always one of these boomers in the bunch. Go away.

Op’s kid is 5 right now! And does not have siblings.

So many posters here are worthless.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a boomer and I'm not even that poster, but I agree. Kids can't entertain themselves anymore. I bet they'd love a lazy unstructured summer.

[Anonymous]

DH and I both work full time. My kids have always done camps in the summer because we work full time. They have always enjoyed the camps. We sign up for a wide variety - some sports, some STEM, some gaming camps, etc. Usually we sync up schedules with a few of their friends so they can go together (and we carpool). It's always worked out great. Yes, it is expensive but we budget for it.

However, if you are not working during the week and can't afford it there is no reason why you have to send your kids to camp. If I did not work I certainly would not sign up for 10-11 weeks of camp. I might pick a couple for each kid and weave in other activities - a week with grandparents, a week of family vacation, local trips, the pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are a failure because you have failed tteach your children how entertain themselves!

There’s always one of these boomers in the bunch. Go away.

Op’s kid is 5 right now! And does not have siblings.

So many posters here are worthless.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why a SAHM (during the week) needs to mandatorily send her kid to camp? We kept our FT nanny through the elementary school years in large part so our kids would get lazy summers. They can sign up for camps (half-day or full-day) for things they are genuinely interested in. And the rest of the time, they can hang out at the pool club or go on daytrips or chill at home. You have the opportunity to give your kids the same experience, OP!