Kids who don't want to go.

All the other "types" of kids mentioned here -- severe ADHD, those who wouldn't brush their teeth, those with social anxiety, etc -- need a thoughtfully chosen camp that can support their needs, but if they want to go, there's a camp that can support their interests.

My teen is autistic, hates sleepovers with other kids, but has been going to camp for a month every summer for the past 6 years, and loves it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Kids who annoy others, forgets his towel and loses his water bottle (your examples) are exactly what I’m talking about. It’s extra work for the counselors and hard on other kids. Someone asked the question so I’m answering. It’s also my observation that difficult kids are the ones who go to camp youngest bc parents need a break, which is influencing my opinion.

Kids who would take an entire month off of brushing their teeth. Seriously. Mouth hygeine can go to shreds if you don't have a kid who will do it or a counselor who forces it.

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Kids who aren’t comfortable outdoors aren’t a good fit for outdoorsy camps, unless they want to challenge themselves in that way. (That was me. I didn’t want to challenge myself in that way. I wanted to ride horses and do crafts, but I wanted to sleep in a real bed afterwards.)

I was a counselor for several years and we always had the reluctant campers who claimed they hated camp, but cried and begged to stay when their parents came to pick them up early. It's an adjustment for every kid, and several cried the first night. But, they're so busy and run around all day, that they collapse into their bunks day two. I allowed 2-3 kids to call home to let their parents know they were fine after receiving a desperate "come get me" letter. But generally, if a kid can make it beyond the first week and really get into the camp activities, they'll be fine. I think trying a two week program is a safe bet. Sleeping and playing in the woods, swimming in a lake, doing arts & crafts, making music & singing, developing friendships and living without any electronics 4 weeks was amazing for my DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids who don't want to go.

+1. I have twin tweens and 1 loves sleepaway camp and 1 wants no part of it. Forcing it on my 11 year old that doesn’t want to go is pointless.

+2 One of my kids tried sleepaway camp and hated it, never went back. 2nd kid LOVED it, went every year and is now a counselor.

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

+1.

Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

Kids who struggle with sleepovers at friends houses or who don’t enjoy them probably aren’t a good fit. They tend to be kids who like their own beds and are anxious in new situations.

Anonymous wrote:Kids who don't want to go.

+1. I have twin tweens and 1 loves sleepaway camp and 1 wants no part of it. Forcing it on my 11 year old that doesn’t want to go is pointless.

My twin sister. She really didn’t want to go, and kind of hated sleepovers at friends too. Somewhat anxious kid for whom change was really hard and who was perfectly happy staying home and taking art classes. I LOVED sleepaway camp and was so glad my parents sent me but I think they did the right thing in not pushing her to go.

She grew up into a functional adult indecent adult who embraced solo travel in college but just wasn’t read or interested at 9-14.

Anonymous wrote:Kids who don't want to go.

+1

Sleepaway camp can be a great thing for those who want to and can afford it. It’s not a necessary life experience.

Kids who don't want to go.

What kinds of kids personalities would be a bad fit for sleepaway camp?