I think you should look around for a different camp. In the city, my son loved the DCJCC, less the DC Rec Centers. It may indeed be the same ole, same ole.

I should add -- make him come up with a schedule of his activities with MIL. That way, something is planned and video game is allotted within for a specific amount of time.

If you have a backup plan (i.e. MIL), I'd go ahead and let him stay with her. No plan is "ideal" for working parents on these days, including the camps. We do the camps on every day off and they do tend to get old; however, we don't have another (affordable) backup. If we did, I'd use it.

Also, I wouldn't worry about him being out of school for 5 straight days. The camps aren't academic either.

DC's in 5th grade and the Parent Teacher conference days are coming up. In the past we sent him to camp but now he's really fighting it. We both work but could get MIL over to watch him, not ideal but doable. Though with the following Monday being a holiday he'd have no school for 5 straight days - also not ideal as I'm sure he'd be whining about being bored and whine for more video game time. Should I stick with the plan and make him go to camp?