My grandfather had a very similar sentiment once. He paid for his daughters to attend an expensive girls' boarding school. He also paid for another girl from a lower-middle-class family to attend this expensive school (long story; it was a favor to a friend) and that girl was in my aunt's class. My aunt was a good student but this girl was the shining star - academically and otherwise - and took home every award or honor.

My grandfather was a little bitter that a girl he did a favor for outshone his own daughters.

Yes, let's not compare snowflakes to other kids because they might read the post and have hurt feelings. (14:00- You sound like the eternal victim with hurt feelings.)

I don't think it's fair to your kids to compare them to your niece. An experience one person values, another may not. Everyone is different. Her experience at camp may have been magical, but it's not like that for everyone.

Was it overnight camp?

OP, what camp?

I have a 10 1/2 yo DS and an 8 1/2 to DD. DS went to overnight camp for the first time 2 Summers ago and it changed him so much (in such a positive, wonderful way). He of course went again last Summer and his little sister begged to join him so I let her go as well. They are both counting down the days until July 25th when they leave Summer camp has given them a chance to be independent, feel self-confident, try new things, make new friends...and the list goes on. You gave your niece an amazing gift and I love that she recognized how special it was an thanked you.

What a lovely girl she is. And thank you, OP, for making a difference in her life!

CTY has fabulous summer camps and is always seeking donations for bright students who can't afford to attend. They cover all expenses but the recipient must live at or below federal poverty levels.

Anonymous wrote:You could make a difference again. Find some other kid, donate a summer camp experience. I don't think it would be hard to make this happen.

This is a great idea.

You could make a difference again. Find some other kid, donate a summer camp experience. I don't think it would be hard to make this happen.

You made a difference.

I'm glad she told you. We take so much for granted, and we assume what other people are thinking. It's great she appreciated and shared with you.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a question in here somewhere?

It's okay for people to share ideas here, right?

Is there a question in here somewhere?

I paid for her to go to camp 9 years ago and she just told me how much she loved it. She said it was the best summer ever. Her parents would never have been able to afford camp. At the time, I thought nothing of it.
My two kids are soooo spoiled that nothing means that much to them.
If I could dial the clock back, I would have restricted the fancy indulgence, stuck to the basics, and hopefully they would have appreciated things like summer camp more.