Overnight summer camp?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Overnight summer camp?
12
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 5:17pm

Have your sent your tween to an overnight camp?


We have never done it yet but are considering this summer.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 5:32pm

Evan has been going to overnight camp since he was in 2nd grade. He's a very independent kid and never really had any separation issues. Given Vlad's separation issues I would go with one week. Two is tempting with the discount but... Often they will let kids stay a second week if they enjoyed the first. I would contact the camp to see if the discount is still available if he is interested in staying after the first week.

If you've got more questions, just holler. We're pros here. Evan's been for three years and I went for 6 or 7.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 6:14pm

Kristen will be going for the first time this summer. She has never been interested before and I certainly would not push her. She's never been away from home alone before but she is sooooo excited. Its a horseback riding camp and if it was possible to go for 5 weeks I'm sure she would. She keeps saying I can't believe how long I have to wait. Of course I'm kind of nervous, what if she doesn't brush her teeth enough (braces), what if she doesn't like the food, what if she doesn't get along, blah blah, blah? LOL Mom stuff.


I keep asking if she thinks she'll be okay and I get the eye roll. You'll be surprised how self-sufficient kids can be when Mom's not around. I'd say if he's willing to try then I'd sign him up for two week. Even if you have to pick him up after 10 days, you're still paying less than if he went for 7. That's kind of weird. So you won't lose any money if it doesn't work out and you just never know, it might be his best experience ever and just what he needs to take that next step towards independence.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 7:34pm

Last year my son went for 3 weeks to a camp, and my dd went for 2. My ds is a major homebody. I was totally shocked that he wanted to go. The school sent home info that he qualified to test for the johns hopkins center for talented youth. He asked what happened if he did well. I told him that if he scored high enough there was a camp, but it was at college campuses and 3 weeks long. He immediately was all over it. I let him test and he scored very well, and got into his first choice camp. He had the time of his life and I think it was a pivotal moment in his life. He grew up while he was gone. He lost his separation issues and became a much stronger more independent child. He had to test again this year for the older camp and he's going to another camp this year.

My dd went last year for 2 weeks to gymnastics camp. She just turned 10. I was so nervous for her as well. The camp took pictures daily so I could see her and I emailed her letters daily and sent her care packages. She also had an awesome time.

However... I was anxious and nervous the entire time. I didn't need to be. This year hubby and I are actually taking a trip alone and my parents are the emergency people.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 7:48pm
My dd was 9 last year and went to Girl Scout sleepover camp. I had brought it up the summer she was 8 & she immediately burst into tears, so that was off. But she heard from another girl in our troop how much she liked it & we set it up so that 3 girls from our troop would all be there for the same week. That helped ease the anxiety a lot. If someone could tell him about the camp and what the do & how meals & such work, that might help make him interesed. Also knowing someone there going at the same time could help too. This year she is going back because she really liked it & my younger dd who is only 7 but almost 8 by the time she goes will be going for just a 3 night camp. She's excited--but she's also been to the camp and walked around it & seen where they sleep etc--when we took her sister last year. And a girl from her troop is going at the same time as her.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-26-2007 - 8:32pm

My DS will be going to overnight camp for his third time this summer. He's turning 12 on May 9. He loves it, but he was also ready to go. He had no problem separating from us, and he wanted to go. The camp runs Sun-Fri.

My DS7 will be going to the same camp, but for 2 nights. It'll be his second summer there. He also loves it and has never had any issues with being homesick. He also goes to North Carolina for a week with friends of ours and their daughter. He's usually ready to come home after the week, but he doesn't get upset or cry for us.

Camp will always be there...if you don't feel that he is 100% ready, then I'd probably skip it this year and try again next year.

Marcy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2001
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 7:56am

Katya, Kayleigh first went to sleepaway camp last year, when she had turned 11, for twelve nights.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 10:15am

Connor went to overnight camp for one week last summer. He was 12 1/2 years old and the camp was a 20 hour drive from our home. It was his first experience at a summer camp, but he also knew two of the camp counselors.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 12:07pm

Mindy, Vlad is very excited about the camp. There are going to be a

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2006
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 12:55pm

Does he want to do the 2 weeks or is he only OK with 1 week? If he is OK with the idea of 2 weeks I would let him go. If he only wants to go for a week I would not send him. If he misses you while he's gone to his Dad's then two more weeks would just about take the rest of his Summer. I would let him be a very big part in making that decision.

My daughter just turned 11 and just recently started staying overnight with one of her friends. She only goes to the one and won't even stay with my parents even though they are very close. My youngest is getting ready to turn 10 and she will go anywhere. They are both going to Girl Scout Camp for a week this Summer. My mother will be there, but I have requested they sleep in a tent with the counselor and other girls. The youngest is also going to a week of reading camp and she was hesitant about that because no would would "be there" with her. She has a friend going and is more comfortable with it now.

I hope he does well if you decide to send him.

Tonya

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Sun, 04-29-2007 - 7:02pm
My daughter's first over night camping trips started with Guides -- so she liked it very much. But her first 1 wk away camp was a little different; I told her if she didn't like it by day 3 to give a call and I would pick her up early. No call and she told me everything that happened and what they did that wk. She had a blast. Over night camping is problem now. Good luck!!!
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