Most of the week will be gorgeous.

At my son's sleep away camp, they play board games and D&D in the lodge, they do art activities that are always under shelter, they play in puddles and streams and go into the lake as long as no thunder and lightning. There are no screens or movies and they still have fun.

I used to love rainy days at sleepaway camp. We'd get an extended rest period where we'd play games in the cabin and muck around with friends. They'd hang up sheets on the windows in the dining hall and we'd sprint over in our ponchos to watch movies. Sometimes they'd even plan an outing to a movie if we got days of rain on end, which was just about the greatest thing ever. Once we made a giant slip and slide on the hill above the soccer field. Another time we all made up lip sync routines and had a lip sync competition in the dining hall.

Yes, it can be a bummer, especially if you are only there for a week and were looking forward to outdoor activities that can't be done in the rain, but there's also something really special about rainy days at camp. And a PP pointed out, camp isn't 100% about having fun- a bit part of the benefit is about learning about how to deal in new situations, including when things don't go exactly as planned or desired. And forging friendships, which may be more likely to emerge from hours in the cabin than out on a rock wall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camp isn’t only about being entertained 24/7 by a predetermined and unwavering agenda. It’s about making friendships, navigating emotions and yes, dealing with disappointments. If it’s a good camp they will have many plan B options to pull from.

+1

It’s my daughter’s first sleep away camp. I really hope she comes away from this with the attitude that rain happens, and things don’t go according to plan, but you can figure out how to make the most of it!

I am guessing rain at sleep away camp will be a lot more fun than rain at a day camp. They probably have more options to pivot to something that works well with rain, vs a camp at a park, tennis court or other outdoor venue.

Yes, sleepaway has more options for rain. My kids camp has a huge covered basketball court with multiple nets. They have a building where they do arts and crafts. They have a huge building where kids eat with picnic like tables that likely can pivot and do classes in there with art, drawing, whatever. Plus kids can do activities in their cabin with their counselors.

That is the whole point of sleepaway camp is to foster independence and flexibility in kids. Things happen and mom/dad is not there and you need to figure things out and adapt. I did not even have a thought to worry that my kid is not going to have a good time at sleepaway this week. Rain or no rain, the kids will be fine, adjust, and still have a good time together.

Leave the worry behind and let go of the imaginary rope you always have. It helps nothing and you waste precious unnecessary energy over it. I promise your kid did not give one thought or worry about rain.

Anonymous wrote:Camp isn’t only about being entertained 24/7 by a predetermined and unwavering agenda. It’s about making friendships, navigating emotions and yes, dealing with disappointments. If it’s a good camp they will have many plan B options to pull from.

+1

It’s my daughter’s first sleep away camp. I really hope she comes away from this with the attitude that rain happens, and things don’t go according to plan, but you can figure out how to make the most of it!

I am guessing rain at sleep away camp will be a lot more fun than rain at a day camp. They probably have more options to pivot to something that works well with rain, vs a camp at a park, tennis court or other outdoor venue.

Reston Association cancelled camps today because of the Tornado watches/warnings. It is a hard week for camps but so where the weeks when it was realy hot out. Camps needed to find shade, make sure that there was enough water, find activities to help kids cool down, and be vigilant with heat issues and for sun burn. They all end up dealing with them and most of the kids are fine. Camps normally have plans for dealing with rain, over night camps will have fun activities in place to keep the kids active when it is raining out. It will be fine.

Camp isn’t only about being entertained 24/7 by a predetermined and unwavering agenda. It’s about making friendships, navigating emotions and yes, dealing with disappointments. If it’s a good camp they will have many plan B options to pull from.

It only started raining last night. Why would the week be a problem?

Yes this is truly unfortunate. My child said that on rainy spells they mostly stayed in their cabins.

I'd like to think that with days of rain on end, though, overnight camps have innovative and clever ways to make things fun in their available indoor spaces, like dining halls, etc.

If there's no thunder, an outdoor water activity and then showers would not be amiss.

However, nothing dries at camp. Nothing. Ask me how I know!

As title say, this is a bad weather week. My friend complains to me that this is her son's first sleepaway camp experience for a week. With all these rainy weather, she is worried that her son has a poor experience and did not do much. He was supposed to do half day water activities, half day land activities everyday. And, there's a beach nearby. She will pick up her son later today.

My son decide to stay home today because he does not want to get soaking wet in the rain full day. He attends outdoor camp. How's your kid camp doing wimhen it comes to bad weather.