My child is very shy/has anxiety and has no interest in going. She goes camping and on overnights with her Girl Scout troop, though.

Overnight camp just isn't something that the kids in our neighborhood do so there's always plenty to do and people to hang out with on our street. We never even really explored the option as they were happy being home in the summer and doing day camps.

I didn’t give my kids a choice. I simply signed them up and sent them when they were entering 3rd grade

This is their 4th summer. Do they loooove it? No. But they do enjoy it and they really like the zero phone policy. 4 weeks and no technology. They enjoy the break from the drama.

Anonymous wrote:One of mine has just always been a velcro baby. She's happily gone to "granny camp," and to visit other relatives solo (my siblings and I used to trade kids around throughout the summers when they were in ES/ MS), but mostly, she likes being with me. To the point that she chose a DC college. And that's fine. She has the skills and independence she needs.

Also, they're expensive. So I never pushed!

This. I try my best to emulate Marie’s in Little Women and parent my children according to their need

There are not enough creature comforts for my daughter. Shes most comfortable at home and that was fine with us.

Wasn’t ready till middle school. We could do the day or overnight so we got a hotel so they could just do day.

My kids have other things they don’t want to miss in the summer including one who does a year round sport. I also think it helps to have a good friend going (which is how I went) and none of them have had friends wanting to go. Sometimes I have thought that they don’t know what they’re missing, but also they are having other good experiences so, whatever

I think my son was afraid of bullying.

Anonymous wrote:One of mine has just always been a velcro baby. She's happily gone to "granny camp," and to visit other relatives solo (my siblings and I used to trade kids around throughout the summers when they were in ES/ MS), but mostly, she likes being with me. To the point that she chose a DC college. And that's fine. She has the skills and independence she needs.

Also, they're expensive. So I never pushed!

Exactly. My kids didn't particularly want to go, and they're so expensive: why on earth would I do this to ourselves?????

My now college-age kid went to Model UN overnights, and my daughter is doing All-State Orchestra overnights, and that's it. A kid we know is a harpist, and since they are in very short supply, music camps often give hefty discounts, and that's how my friend sends her to camp for a very reduced price. Otherwise she wouldn't go, because it's not worth it at all.

OP must be in a different wealth bracket.

Anonymous wrote:And would you try to influence them to try it for independence and life skills gained? I went myself as a child but my own kid isn’t interested. Her siblings go.

You don't need camp for those things FYI.

I didn't like it because I had FOMO with my friends at home and I hated people telling me what to do and where to be all day. Screw that.

I didn't particularly like overnight camp, and my kids don't either. They are now 20 and 15 and they're responsible people. You don't "need" overnight camp, OP, to raise your kids well.

Anonymous wrote:I sent my kid to an overnight sports camp, and the director of the camp is now in jail for sexual assault of campers. As far as I know, nothing happened to my kid, but five kids are listed in the criminal case against the man who is now in jail. I am never sending any of my kids to overnight camp again, and I also don't let them do sleepovers.

Which camp?

One of mine has just always been a velcro baby. She's happily gone to "granny camp," and to visit other relatives solo (my siblings and I used to trade kids around throughout the summers when they were in ES/ MS), but mostly, she likes being with me. To the point that she chose a DC college. And that's fine. She has the skills and independence she needs.

Also, they're expensive. So I never pushed!

I sent my kid to an overnight sports camp, and the director of the camp is now in jail for sexual assault of campers. As far as I know, nothing happened to my kid, but five kids are listed in the criminal case against the man who is now in jail. I am never sending any of my kids to overnight camp again, and I also don't let them do sleepovers.

And would you try to influence them to try it for independence and life skills gained? I went myself as a child but my own kid isn’t interested. Her siblings go.