Anonymous wrote:Is it a New England thing, or Jewish culture? In DC I think 4 weeks would sound long, luxurious. Definitely for first time. In the Midwest when I was a kid, many didn't even ever go to camp. Spouse and I have gotten to know some ext family and friends in NYC/NE and Jewish community and I won't lie, they make it sound like they're trying to get rid of their kids for part of the summer.

thanks for the splash of anti semitism in this thread! duly noted and appreciated.

Is it a New England thing, or Jewish culture? In DC I think 4 weeks would sound long, luxurious. Definitely for first time. In the Midwest when I was a kid, many didn't even ever go to camp. Spouse and I have gotten to know some ext family and friends in NYC/NE and Jewish community and I won't lie, they make it sound like they're trying to get rid of their kids for part of the summer.

op - not sure about near dc but where we are (NYC) the new england camps have very few options less than 3-4 weeks unless it's for quite young kids (like 1st or 2nd grade) a couple will let you do 2 weeks but only your first summer.
maybe different further south

^^ I posted above - some kids don’t like camp. So if they don’t like it, don’t send them back. But if do like it - it is a real gift for them

Oh my gosh, so worth it. I am from NY, my husband from the Deep South and we now live in the Midwest. I had to convince him to let our kids go to camp since it is so unfamiliar to him. But camp was the most formative and wonderful experience of my life. (I started going for 4 weeks and eventually roped my parents into 8) I think it is even more important this day and age- a month with no helicopter parents, no electronics or social media, no boys (I have daughters), no name brand clothes or social pressures. My girls will be going for the first time this summer.)l I think 3.5 weeks is the minimum time needed for acclimating, feeling at home, and getting the full benefit of the camp instruction. Many camps that are really intentional about curriculum, personal growth, etc. have those as minimum time frames, other than for first time campers. My husband is already getting so sad, but if they have even half the experience I did, I will be so happy for them

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

what's the other option?

Huh? My kid is going for the first time for 6 nights this summer. There are many options for a week.

I hate sending my son to 4 weeks of camp. I live for letters in the mail. But it’s the best thing for him. He loves it and getting out of his school/neighborhood crowd is a good idea.
How old is your child and what camp?

The truth is that some kids love it, some kids hate it, and some kids are kind of meh about it. It sounds like you think it’s guaranteed to be a life-changing experience for your child, and it’s not like that. If he really wants to go and you can afford it, I wouldn’t hold him back because you’re afraid to miss him. But who knows whether it will be “worth it” or not.

How old is your child?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

what's the other option?

NP here, but I only ever went to sleep away camp for one week at a time. I know there is geographic/cultural variation, but I didn’t know anyone who went to camp for 4 weeks. Seems long.

Both my kids started with 4 weeks. I miss them and love getting (very few) letters, but their love of camp and the growth that happens over the month makes it 100% worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

what's the other option?

Mine goes for eight weeks. Highlight of her year. She is the youngest, our others are at college. I miss her but I love seeing how much she has grown in all sorts of ways. And I enjoy reconnecting to the non-mom parts of my life/identity during the time she is gone.

Is this their first time going? Weird to start with 4 weeks

I already have an existential crisis every 2 seconds about missing ANY time with dcs so it's hard for me to get my head around having them be gone for 4 weeks, but i know they'll love it. or i think they'll love it and i should do it, right?