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

[Anonymous]

Has no one asked the question of what OPs other expenses are?
This would be crazy on most incomes.
But if OP has for example a very small mortgage and no other debts, I think this is perfectly reasonable.
People who haven’t been to sleepaway camp themselves just don’t understand.
My kids were able to go for the first time last summer and will go again this summer. It is truly transformative.

[Anonymous]

I’m with you OP. I “just don’t get it” as PP’s put it and I’m fine with that. My kids do expensive EC’s and we take nice vacations. Life is full of choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not all are. Your kids want a break from you already.

[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....

Most people learn how do these things with their families or though scouts. I would be curious if summer camp would be just as "transformative" for a kid who already does these things as it would be for a kid whose family never leaves the city.

[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.

Seriously. People who live in urban areas and never leave just shouldn’t have children.

[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....

Most people learn how do these things with their families or though scouts. I would be curious if summer camp would be just as "transformative" for a kid who already does these things as it would be for a kid whose family never leaves the city.

My kid learned how to do a lot of those things through Scouts, but he’s also going away to camp this summer for two weeks. It would be great if it was transformative for him, but I’ll settle for just lots of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Seriously. People who live in urban areas and never leave just shouldn’t have children.

Really? I guess 80% (maybe more) of humanity just shouldn't exist. Many (most?) of humanity cannot afford to go "camping" and learn archery, canoeing, etc. If going to expensive sleepaway camp produces people with this type of attitude , please don't send your kids OP!

[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.

My DC is going away for most of the summer at $8500
We can not afford it but it’s an investment in DC because there’s nothing to do all day except play video games
This camp with give DC much needed outdoor time and socialization while being unplugged

[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....

Most people learn how do these things with their families or though scouts. I would be curious if summer camp would be just as "transformative" for a kid who already does these things as it would be for a kid whose family never leaves the city.

The people who go to camp have parents who are too busy to spend the summer with them. I knew them at school — most raised by nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My DC is going away for most of the summer at $8500
We can not afford it but it’s an investment in DC because there’s nothing to do all day except play video games
This camp with give DC much needed outdoor time and socialization while being unplugged

Nothing to do all day but play video games, so I have to spend $8500?

This is madness. Take the screens and video games away. Take your kids to the woods, to the lake, and show them stuff. How is 2-8 weeks a year going to make up for the loss of a normal childhood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Seriously. People who live in urban areas and never leave just shouldn’t have children.

Really? I guess 80% (maybe more) of humanity just shouldn't exist. Many (most?) of humanity cannot afford to go "camping" and learn archery, canoeing, etc. If going to expensive sleepaway camp produces people with this type of attitude , please don't send your kids OP!

Yep. If you can’t take the time to fish or make a fire with your kid, and you can’t think of anything for them to do but go to school or play video games, then you shouldn’t have kids. This stuff where kids need to be shipped off from home to be allowed to act like human beings for six weeks a year is depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Uhhhh, no, it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Seriously. People who live in urban areas and never leave just shouldn’t have children.

Really? I guess 80% (maybe more) of humanity just shouldn't exist. Many (most?) of humanity cannot afford to go "camping" and learn archery, canoeing, etc. If going to expensive sleepaway camp produces people with this type of attitude , please don't send your kids OP!

Yep. If you can’t take the time to fish or make a fire with your kid, and you can’t think of anything for them to do but go to school or play video games, then you shouldn’t have kids. This stuff where kids need to be shipped off from home to be allowed to act like human beings for six weeks a year is depressing.

Sorry, but even the most outdoorsy parent can’t replicate a sleepaway camp experience. You just can’t. Plus- a big part of the greatness of camp is being away from parents and siblings. Deeply connecting, learning, doing, teaching, with 100 of your closest friends all day/all night is nothing short of an amazing experience. Regardless of if your dad fishes abs camps with you on random weekends. It is a special camaraderie that only comes second to joint the military

[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 taught our kids all of these things by spending time with them each summer.

What nonsense that it should be outsourced at 1/12 of the family HHI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Seriously. People who live in urban areas and never leave just shouldn’t have children.

Really? I guess 80% (maybe more) of humanity just shouldn't exist. Many (most?) of humanity cannot afford to go "camping" and learn archery, canoeing, etc. If going to expensive sleepaway camp produces people with this type of attitude , please don't send your kids OP!

Yep. If you can’t take the time to fish or make a fire with your kid, and you can’t think of anything for them to do but go to school or play video games, then you shouldn’t have kids. This stuff where kids need to be shipped off from home to be allowed to act like human beings for six weeks a year is depressing.

Sorry, but even the most outdoorsy parent can’t replicate a sleepaway camp experience. You just can’t. Plus- a big part of the greatness of camp is being away from parents and siblings. Deeply connecting, learning, doing, teaching, with 100 of your closest friends all day/all night is nothing short of an amazing experience. Regardless of if your dad fishes abs camps with you on random weekends. It is a special camaraderie that only comes second to joint the military

It’s not about replicating sleep away camp. People are saying here that
1) they have to get their kids away from screens and the only way is to pay for a $7-8k camp. What?? Why are your kids on screens all the time anyway?
2) it’s a special chance to connect to nature — same thing, why aren’t your kids connecting to nature on a regular basis in their everyday lives? It’s not like the people who send their kids to these things don’t have the resources to do so.
3) you can’t learn basic outdoor skills without it — why wouldn’t your kids learn these things?
4) it’s such an extraordinary experience to be with other kids not on devices… again, what? Do your kids not have regular play dates? Do they not have special close friends in their day to day lives?

I don’t get why if you have the resources to send your kids to these over the top camps, you don’t have the resources to put them in a school where they would have all this throughout the year.