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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I didn’t register this year (too much uncertainty for me with schedules, etc) but for those of you that send your kids-do they go with a friend or alone? I’d like my daughter to go at some point but will she be the odd person out if she’s on her own?[/quote]

My daughter has always gone alone, and I think most of the people in her cabins were alone too. [/quote]

My child went alone one year and was the only one there without a buddy from home. She was unhappy the whole week and no one from the camp called me to let me know.

I spent many years as a camp counselor and as head staff at a camp, and attended GS camps as a child, so I’m familiar with how kids adjust to camp. I think that allowing every child to be placed in a unit with a friend from home makes it very difficult when one child is the odd one out. Especially in Girl Scouts, which as an organization has always encouraged girls to make new friends.

I was appalled that no one contacted me about my child’s adjustment and how we could work together to help her. I was surprised that the camps were run this way. 
[/quote]

That has not been our daughter’s experience - she has gone to camp alone twice and made new friends both times. We’ve had a great experience with the staff at Winona in particular.[/quote]

Former counselor and director speaking. I second this -- your kiddo will get more out of sleepaway camp if they go alone. Camp is for meeting new people, trying new things, and getting to explore your identity.

Also, sleepaway camp isn't for everyone!  My general suggestion to parents with is to give it a couple of tries in different types of programs. If they still HATE it, just go with a day camp or yes, try sending a buddy. Just know that those buddy pairs are VERY often the ones who end up fighting, isolating themselves, or isolating the single kids in the cabin. It's often an anchor on the benefit of the experience, even if they do have fun. [/quote]

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