For those who may send their kid to sleepaway... question

[Anonymous]

Hi! I am torn. My camp may open, but many around them have closed. It gives me pause that others didn't feel comfortable and ours may "roll the dice".
Seems a bit like an experiment and our kids are the guinea pigs. I do think the risk is very small to kids, and there are risks everywhere. However, I am not sure I want to spend thousands for a subpar experience, where it will be on everyone's mind (the adults) and take the gamble. What are your camps plans if a kids gets it? Of course they leave, then the whole bunk has been exposed? Are they now the bunk to avoid? Do you get a refund? All of this stuff is making me lean towards no but would love to hear other thoughts.

YEs, I do know the tons of benefits of camp, outdoors, being unplugged, and mental health (that's why we send them) but I also don't think kids who can't go to 10-20k summer camps will suffer mental health problems, These kids can go outside, play bball, bike, swim maybe, etc, travel? This isn't a debate- just wanted some other perspective.

I have one kid w anxiety around health to begin with, who I hesitate to send, and one who has zero anxiety and wants to go but would be ok not going i suppose-- both teens.
I could also use the money back (even a portion) lol!

THanks!

[Anonymous]

Here we go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here we go

OP here-- oh has this been debated already? LOL

[Anonymous]

Depending where the camp is, we would be comfortable sending them. But most camps are changing their operating model for this summer and if they do open many will require masks and physical distancing. My camp loving kiddos don't want to do camp with masks and physical distancing.

[Anonymous]

Kids who can’t go to expensive camps may have mental health problems. Just because they can go outside does not mean they won’t. Please don’t generalize.

If I felt comfortable with the precautions and knew my camp would enforce them, I would send my child and plan to do so if camp should open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here we go

OP here-- oh has this been debated already? LOL

Not sure but this forum is crazy!!! I think your question is a legitimate one. I’m high risk so I won’t send my kids to camp. I really wish they could go though, but even if I wasn’t high risk we probably would not send them. I can understand those who do though and don’t see anything wrong with giving it a try. Somebody has to go first with these things, especially of you are young parents and kids have no known issues.

[Anonymous]

My kids' camps have closed. I was thinking about sending them to a different camp that is staying open, but then I decided that the camps that are open don't have any greater knowledge or abilities than the camps that closed. They are just willing to take more risks. In fact, I worry that their willingness to stay open suggests that they may be too cavalier and that their families may have taken too many risks - - that is certainly the case with some of the southern camps I've looked at. So I'm not sending my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids who can’t go to expensive camps may have mental health problems. Just because they can go outside does not mean they won’t. Please don’t generalize.

If I felt comfortable with the precautions and knew my camp would enforce them, I would send my child and plan to do so if camp should open.

Sorry - no I meant that I think it's silly to suggest that kids "need" 20k camp for mental health. It just seems privileged to say..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids' camps have closed. I was thinking about sending them to a different camp that is staying open, but then I decided that the camps that are open don't have any greater knowledge or abilities than the camps that closed. They are just willing to take more risks. In fact, I worry that their willingness to stay open suggests that they may be too cavalier and that their families may have taken too many risks - - that is certainly the case with some of the southern camps I've looked at. So I'm not sending my children.

Yes I kind of agree- OP

[Anonymous]

11:41 again - Thanks for clarifying your statement. In my opinion, I don’t think going outside to ride a bike or even traveling by car with their immediate family that they have been with for several months straight = sleep away camp. Sleep away camp represents much more than that, such as independence, a break from learning, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:41 again - Thanks for clarifying your statement. In my opinion, I don’t think going outside to ride a bike or even traveling by car with their immediate family that they have been with for several months straight = sleep away camp. Sleep away camp represents much more than that, such as independence, a break from learning, etc.

True. Hence my dilemma!

[Anonymous]

I have the same concerns. I’m honestly hoping our camp cancels at this point so I don’t have to be the bad guy. I’d so love for DD to go, no screens g FYI or a month! But, I don’t feel like I’m able to adequately assess the risk at the moment.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same about day camp OP. Like on the one hand I NEED them to open - we both work, kids need activity and socialization, etc. but is the least risk-averse one the best place for the kids to be? UGH.

[Anonymous]

We still haven't heard. Based on our opinion of the camp and the administration, we completely planned on sending our child if the admin decides to open it. However, our child is suddenly expressing concern--not fear of getting sick, but knowing it will feel very different and thinks that may make her more sad than not going at all.

May not be an issue either way. Expecting to hear a final decision next week.

[Anonymous]

OP, our sleepaway just told us that they are planning to open, and detailed all the changes and precautions that would be in place. You should reach out to your camp to see what they are thinkkng.