There should be a camp fair coming up soon. You can probably google one for your area. I have found them very helpful because there are so many different kinds of camps for so many different age ranges (including MS). Some of the best are MS, actually, when kids are older. For sleep away boy, Sea Gull if your son likes sports including sailing, might be one to take a look at. Mondamin is great for all around sports. You can also do a search for overnight camps (single sex or co-ed) by region and specialty. That's how we found one we liked for DD. Many sites will have videos and dates for times when they are doing presentations in the area (if you are interested) and lots of photos. Some have online brochures and they'll all be more than happy to send you stuff. Happy searching!

Ok, if you cannot afford sleep away camp what are your options? I have used mostly boys and girls club camps for elementary? I know though as a child I just watched lots of tv at this age. Have a good degree and good job so it wasn't too toxic but have to say I feel awful a the prospect of my kid doing the same.

Anonymous wrote:My kids tended to do sleep away camps for at least part of the summer in middle school. It's a great age for it in terms of independence. We did CTY, Overland, even sleep away sports camps (although these tend to only be week long programs and often end on Thursdays so can be logistically challenging.). Those programs would be anywhere from 1-3 weeks and each kid would typically be away for about 3-4 weeks (not straight through). Also second PPs rec of Calleva, which we did for at least 2 weeks each summer.

Hi, can you pls. recommend a sleepaway sports camp? I'm not sure where to start looking. My son will be 12, almost 13, and going into 7th grade.

Generally, we fill the summers up with a combination of sleepaway camp (the eldest is now a CIT there), day camps geared toward teens, vacation, and - yes - some weeks here and there to veg out at home and read books/watch silly videos on youtube/hang with friends.

My kids tended to do sleep away camps for at least part of the summer in middle school. It's a great age for it in terms of independence. We did CTY, Overland, even sleep away sports camps (although these tend to only be week long programs and often end on Thursdays so can be logistically challenging.). Those programs would be anywhere from 1-3 weeks and each kid would typically be away for about 3-4 weeks (not straight through). Also second PPs rec of Calleva, which we did for at least 2 weeks each summer.

I've been thinking about a writing camp, too, but my son just starts to cry when I mention it.

I wonder why there are fewer camps? Do moms just give up and become SAHM moms out of frustration when their kids hit the teens? Do they actually leave their kids at home alone all summer? (My kid would be crawling the walls if I tried this). Do all the kids go to these few camps? Or do moms just ship their kids off to some wood camp in vermont and pony up the money (although obviously that is not an option for most moms... maybe their kids are all doing so bad that the state provides a nice summer school for them?)

Middle school camps are tough. First of all, they seem to be 3x more expensive and there are not as many. My son has just not been interested in the slim pickings. Last year, he did a video gaming camp which was fun, but super expensive. I also made him go to writing camp. He hated it, but in middle school, I think it's important to really strengthen these skills.

Anonymous wrote:what's wrong with letting them park their ass in front of the tube and go swimming every day, as God intended summers to be like?

Could you point out the particular bible verses supporting that belief?

Some parents feel that their kids enjoy and benefit from some more structure/supervision/socialization in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:what's wrong with letting them park their ass in front of the tube and go swimming every day, as God intended summers to be like?

unfortunately, I'm not a SAHM.

what's wrong with letting them park their ass in front of the tube and go swimming every day, as God intended summers to be like?

Anonymous wrote:What do you do with your middle school kids during the summer? There seem to be tons of camps for little kids, but not for middle school kids. But I think they are still too young to get a job? What do you do?

Ah, middle school summers. When I smoked my first cigarette, got naked with a boy for the first time, and learned to love the taste of Mad Dog and Keystone Light.

Good times.

My middle schooler has enjoyed the following:

Calleva (has Leadership based camps and trips for teens)

Filmmaking at Imagination Stage (we did a class, but they also have camps)

TIC camp (goes through 14 or 15)

Theater Lab's middle school productions

Camp Sonshine has some great programs for middle schoolers. Also, it has an LIT and CIT program.

Counselor-in-training and junior counselor opportunities. Also, there are internships for some middle schoolers, particularly rising 8th graders.

What do you do with your middle school kids during the summer? There seem to be tons of camps for little kids, but not for middle school kids. But I think they are still too young to get a job? What do you do?