Help - My Daughter's Want to Go Away to Camp - for a WEEK! Need Advice!

I loved going to camp and looked forward to it each year. I went to a Girl Scout Camp and liked it so much that I continued going every year and even did my training to be a camp counselor once I was too old to go as a scout. I learned so much and my confidence was greatly improved. One thing my parents did learn about that helped me a great deal, was to find out the mailing address ahead of time and write me letters that arrived before I did. So the first night, I was able to read about how much they missed me and also found "love notes" rolled up in my PJ's and various other places in my luggage. I made some great friends at camp and had pen pals for years because of it.

I know exactly how you feel! My 9 year old son is going to church camp this summer for a week and I am GOING NUTS!! This will be his first time going to camp or anywhere other than to a relativies house also. He is really excited about going so I make sure I only freak out about it when he isn't around! I guess we just have to realize that our kids are growing up and there's nothing we can do to stop it! Just think of the HUGE HUGS and KISSES we will get when they get back!

A little about me: I am a SAHM to 3 BEAUTIFUL BOYS ages 9,5,4 months. My DH and I have been together for 10yrs married for 6yrs.

What kinda Camp is she going to? Are there people you know that are going?
I Am sure she should be fine..
My 7 Year old is going to Church Camp this year for the very first time I Am a little nervous But I know He wil be in good hands and having a great time..

I think it is a great experience for them. My daughters did it for the first time at 9 and 11. I made sure that I knew the camp. For us it was a girl scout camp. I liked the idea of no boys for the first sleep away camp. I also made sure that they would both be in the same group, so if they got home sick they would be together. I didn't have to worry. They had so much fun that they didn't want to come home.

I hope my positive experience with this helps you with this decision.

K.

My children are much younger, so I don't have to face this yet...

But I do remember with great fondness the experiences I had at that age going away for a week. Granted, it was a church camp (Cedarkirk in Lithia). I made friends, learned alot about myself and the world around me, had great experiences - and all in a safe environment. The experiences at that camp helped to positively shape who I am today. :) Good Luck! It is definately difficult to let go of children at every stage!

K.--
I remember when my now 16 year old went the first time. I was a wreck. My advice as a adolescent therapist and a veteran of 6 years of 3 weeks/summer camp; if she is enthusiastic about attending and you have fully checked out the camp; most camps will give you a parent list to call..go for it. Camp attends to a very important developmental task--separating from mom and dad, leaving electronics behind and connecting with nature. If it's the Right camp! My girls go to Aloha camp in Vermont, btw. Plus, they will be together which is a perfect way for them to separate but gently. Good luck!

Glad the camp thing worked out for you. I hope you enjoyed your "free week" as much as the girls most likely did. I grew up going to Girl Scout campouts and they were always a blast and gave us something to talk about when we went back to school in Sept. I hope this years camp brings your girls new friends and more self confidence, and you some confidence that you've raised them to be well behaved in your absence. Good job on taking the first step at letting the girls have some real independance.

My daughter begged for two years to go to camp...then when she got there, she the counselors called mid way through because she was inconsolably home sick. Read this: It might help http://marymind.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/campfire-canoein...

Cut your apron strings and let them go. I enjoyed all the summer camps I went to and you get a vacation too,