Seeing Views on Sending School-age Children to Overnight Summer Camp

Hi C.: My son attended Boy Scout Camp for several years, starting at the age of 8. He loved it! It was most of the reason he stayed in Scouts. He had had experience with some weekend Scout trips, so that helped with the homesickness.

I think that some parents today are so concerned about the bad things that can happen, that they overlook the wonderful things that can happen. You have researched this, you feel good about the camp, so take the leap of faith and send them!

I would send them. They are old enough to tell you what is going on and it will give them a little independence.

My 10 year old son went to summer camp for a week while his dad was in Iraq the last time. While it was a bit different as it was a camp specifically for military kids - he had a wonderful time, made lots of friends and can't wait to go back again.

I loved overnight camp as a kid too (but I was in 6th grade)... though I'm not familiar with the camp(s) you've researched/experienced... I can say this: I do have experience with camps run by a university - sports camps- and I would NEVER send my child to one of these camps unless two things 1. child was 10 or older AND 2. there was a coach living on the floor/cabin area with the kids. There seem to be more undisciplined & mismannered kids these days than there are nice ones... AND bullying is definitly on the rise among school age kids.

If your boys are going to be together...then the older one can look out for the younger. Some camps may or may not let the kids have cell phones too. Something to consider.

I think overnight camps have the potential to be awesome- memorable experiences...unfortunately, they can also be a nightmare if the camp program & staff isn't managed well.

I totally think you should send your boys to camp! Being a summer camp kid, (we actually still are!!) as well I deeply know the benefits and strengths of camp! I understand that it is difficult to send them away. But maybe the camp you are looking at has shorter programs like three nights/ four days? A week does seem like a long time! But just think about your camp experince, and all the new skills and stories they will have to share!
Good Luck!
(what YMCA camp is it?)

I started going to camp when I was 7 years old and absolutely loved it - I lived at summer camp for a good 8 years or so. (My mom worked for the camping program so I got to go at a reduced rate making it feesible for me to go more often.) I've sent both my older boys for five years now, they are currently 13 & 14 yrs. They look forwrd to going every year. If they have a trial weekend camp you might want to start with that so they get the idea of what to expect but any away camp experience is one of the most valuable you can give a child. It gives them time to find themselves and shows them you trust them to make good choices when you aren't around. I say go for it!

S.

i also had three boys that i sent to camp they all loved it and still talk about the memories i think you will miss them just like i did mine but im glad they had the opportunity to go look as it as special time to spend with your youngest and the time will go by fast

My kids are still too young to go away to camp, but when they are old enough I am planning on letting them go. My parents let me go to camp for many years, and I have such great memories of it... I would like my kids to have memories like that also.

I also went to camp as a kid, one week every summer form the time I was 8 until 17, I even went two weeks when I was older, just a small Christian camp through our church. I had wonderful times and have still wonderful friends from back then. My own kids on the other hand again started going same time as me, not the same camp I went to but a much better one, more expensive and much more things to do. This year my 14 year old just didn't want to go, he has issues with bugs so I let him do day classes through the vocational center instead. My youngest boy, is actually at camp right now, he just turned 8, they have a short week for the little guys. Now my middle child he's 11 and he is not one to wet the bed but each year the last two years he has, and he's afraid to go back no matter how much convincing I try. Each kid needs the camp experenice to grow and mature and learn that it will be ok. Although me and my brother when we started out going to camp were fine, it made my parents feel better that they were counselors the first year in case it's a seperation issue too. In some ways I feel like I have to force my kids to do new and different things sometimes but in the end it is for their own good.They had fun and it gave the chance to appreciate mom more while being away. Good Luck with your decision, but it sounds like you have already made it.

I am all for the camp experience! My husband and I have been highly supportive of a summer camp for 10 years now. (The camp is through our church). I have seen incredible changes in children just from a week away at camp. The only horror stories I have are about "camp moms" who go along to help in the kitchen, etc, and mother their children to the point of embarrassment!!
If you have a camp that you are familiar with and believe has a good program (like the one you attended) I would feel great about sending my kids. When you have those doubts, just think back to how you felt, as a kid, when you were away at camp and be reassured that your kids will love it as much as you did!
K

summer camp can be a great experience...my 3 older kids have all gone to some type of camps...all thru scouting..my youngest isnt old enough yet...many kids dont get any exposure to nature because they live in cities..i do know some dont send to camp due to cost but there are many ways of getting help on that.

hope this helps

M.

both my girls went to girls scout camp, it was two nights and three days for each of them--they loved it and had a great time the oldest has went twice when she was 7 and again when she was 8 and my second daughter just went for the first time and she is 6. Just check and make sure you feel comfortable with how the camp is ran. I'm sure they are old enough. sometimes it is harder on us as parents then it is on the kids.

My children went to summer camp...my son started attending summer camp at the age of 8-8.5 yrs old. Both of them had great experiences and really wanted to go again the following years. So, really, give it a try and see how they like it. Mine have gained life skills for the outdoors as well as self confidence and appreciation for doing things on their own. Good luck.

It sounds like you've made up your mind and just need some reassurance. I went to a CYO camp myself in 6th grade. I went with friends so it was a lot of fun.
If you're concerned with someone possibly taking advantage of your kids in some way (which I would be thinking of that too) just be sure to talk to your kids about what is appropriate interaction and how to be assertive, as well as how to respond if God forbid, there is some sort of unwanted advance. Maybe gear them with a cell phone too.

I sent my son to YMCA Camp Storer the summer he turned 11. He'd gone for 5th grade camp and I was impressed and he'd loved it. It was a great experience for him. My middle son would not have liked it, and my youngest daughter went to GS camp for 3 days at age 9 and didn't like being away from home, but enjoyed the activity. I wouldn't hesitate unless your kids are of a temperment that it could cause anxiety the camp wouldn't be equipped to handle. Since there are bad people out there, I think you could talk to them (not connected to camp discussions) about appropriate behavior and what to do if someone does something you don't like. Good luck!

Yeah camp! This will be the third summer that my 10 1/2 year old has gone away to camp. He loves it! So do I! I have been able to work in the kitchen at the camp for the past two years. It helped me with anxiety. Is that an option for you? This year he is going it alone. Great memories! Good times!

S.

I went to summer camp starting around age 8 I believe all the way up until I graduated from high school. Honestly, they are some of my absolute favorite childhood memories! I can remember crying on the last night of camp every year because I simply didn't want to leave. I can imagine it would be tough sending your own kids off for the first time but if it's something they're interested in, I say go for it!

when my daughter was 8 she asked if she could go away to camp with a friend. I was so nervous and had all these reasons why it wasn't a good idea - but it came down to I wasn't ready to have her leave - but she was. She had such a wonderful time. She has gone to different camps she has found with friends over the past few years and she is now 12. It has been an excellent experience for her. It is definitly harder on the parents than the kids. However, my son never expressed interest in going away to camp and we don't believe in forcing them to do something they don't want to do. If your boys want to go - I would let them. It will be a little vacation for you and they will have a blast with all the fun things the camps have planned.

We were fortunate enough to be able to send our 3 girls, over a span of 9 years to summer camp...they were there for 6 weeks each summer. This started when they were 9. They LOVED it! There was just a little homesickness for the first couple of days but they were in good company...all the campers were a bit homesick. Now they are 31, 27 and 25. They each have written papers for school at some point about their experiences at camp. The friendhsips they made are still current. They wouldn't trade it for anything! Yes, it is hard to be away from them, especially for that long of a time but the personal growth was incredible. They learned about other kids from various places in the world, participated in sports, personal responsibility was huge and had a ball doing it. If you choose the right camp, I don't believe there will be any regrets. Your children are old enough to be away for a week. There might be a few tears, but they will grow from the experience. My eldest daughter, when she went to college, couldn't believe that so many girls in her dorm were such babies about being away from home. For some, going to college was the first time they had been away for any long period of time. All my girls had no quams about being away and had a better start at college. They all said it was no big deal....they had been at camp for so many summers! So, no worries, send them and enjoy your week off!

I grew up at a local camp and every week during the summer there would be school age (elementary through high school) children from the Chicago area who would come to spend the week without their parents. Many of them would come year after year and some even came back when they were teenagers to stay the entire summer as a member of the staff. Sure some kids got a little homesick but the counselors are good at dealing with that and I'd say that over all everyone had a good time.

Hi C..

Our 9 year old daughter is leaving for 10 days at camp soon. Our 8 yr. old son will be staying home for a few more years.

We asked many experienced families, and their advice was that if the kids want to go, encourage and send them. If they are reluctant to go, wait. They are just not ready.

While a sibling is nice, with 2 years age difference they may not be in the same sleeping quarters at camp or participating in same activities. Are any or your kids friends also considering going? We were not sure about the age to send our daughter, or how she'd be away from home for so long as well. Our solution was to send her to a 4 night camp during spring break - and her best friend also went. Both girls left us at the car upon arrival. A great experience.

Good luck and happy camping!

My daughter is now 12 and since the summer she was 7 she has gone away to an overnight camp. Each year she stays away longer. Funny... I'm ok with this but dad seems to get worse every year! YMCA, Scouts, local churches all have good programs. I think you should definately do this. Even with the bugs and critters, it's always a good time with a lot of activities, new friends, stories, etc.

The first time will be rough, if it's just one of your kids. I felt like the worst brand of mom when my oldest hadto be peeled off me so I could get back home. A 2 hour drive. By the end of the week I could barely get him IN the car to LEAVE, he had so much fun. And I was 2 hours late in fetching him too! All depends on the camp as well.
There's always going to be a certain degree of fear. Once they experience the fun and camaraderie, they'll be aching to go the following years. When I was 12 my mom dropped my sister and I at an art camp, WITH horseback riding which should've sealed it for me in a heartbeat. I cried watching her drive off and that first night was still rough. But I got over it quickly because of the crafts and horseback riding.
Always helps when a friend or sibling is going too.

My husband and I have actually considered sending our oldest (5) to a church camp that offers a week long day camp option, so that when she is 7 she is ready (emotionally) to go to overnight camp if she wanted. Due to financial reasons that's not going to happen. HOWEVER, I do remember going to an over night camp the summer between Kindergarten and 1st grade. I did just fine, and was only 6. You will not be the only parents sending your children, those camps are very close to full (if not full) for each session. Your boys will benefit in many ways and will meet new friends. Not only that, your youngest will benefit from some one on one time with mom and dad.

I rhink you are absolutely right to give your sons some of their "own" experiences. They'll have each other too and if things don't go well for whatever reason, you can always pick them up. How fun. I wish they had camp for adults. :-)

My son went to camp when he was 9 and he loved it. My grandson started to go to camp when he was 9 and when we went to pick him up he wanted to stay another week. He is now almost 15 an he still loves it.

Wow I loved camp as a kid too! No reason why your boys shouldn't get to experience what you did.