Summer Camp?

[PamL]

Do you send your child(ren) to summer camp? If so, how old are they? Do you send them to day camp (where you just bring them in the mornings), or do you send them to "away" camps?

[kat]

Oldest went to church camps during the summer. Our church is responsible for one week at a particular camp. DS liked to go several weeks there and even to a different camp closer to home. He loved the experience. Youngest ds has social anxiety I believe. This summer is the first time he's gone and is only going because both dh and I will be cabin counselors. They have to be 11 to attend.

It's funny how they are so different. Oldest wanted to be out and going all the time, youngest is a home body.

[Diane]

We sent our two oldest ones for 5 days of camp when they were about 9 and 12. My then l2 year old did great... she loved every minute of it while my 9 year old was terribly homesick... and when the day came to come for them to come back home, she was extremely happy and swore that she'd never go back. The next summer we sent our then 13 year old again, but our 10 year old decided it wasn't something she wanted to repeat. She's always been pretty shy and had never been away from us before... and I think that may have had a lot to do with her not liking it.

Diane... :wave:

[TXmom]

Only church camp. This is the 4th year oldest ds has gone - he's 12. This year the youth went to Corpus Christi, and he loved it! Middle ds will go for a 4 night camp for the first time this year - he's 9. I'd love to send them to more camps - the summer's so long and they get bored, but you've got to be able to pay for it. It's costing over $700 just to send the 2 oldest to church camp this year.

[KarlaB]

I used to go to church camps when I was younger, but can't remember when the overnights started - maybe a wknd away in 6th grade, then 4 days in 7th, and a week as we got older? Also did Girl Scout stuff and remember doing a wknd camp for that. :)

[SMB]

Ds just left for his first day of day-camp this morning. This is a YMCA camp, I hope he likes it, they start at 9:30 and finish at 3:00. The school bus takes him there and drops him off, I think he was more excited about the bus ride than camp. :) He's five years old. I should know by 4:00 tonight if he likes it or not.

[Linda/NE]

Ds #1 just left for Boy Scout camp yesterday. It goes for a week. Last year he went to a 4 day scout camp. He really enjoyed it overall, but I think he realized how much he enjoyed it a few months after it was over! LOL He was really tired when he got home. It was very hot there the whole time too. He didn't care for the food too much either I don't think. :)

Our other son will have an overnight camp this weekend with dh.
Both boys enjoy camping but the lack of sleep they get really takes a toll on them.

[darlene]

Hi all. Oldest dd (9 at the time) went to camp last summer for the first time. It was 2hours from here, we took her up on Sun. aftnoon and picked her up Fri. aftnoon. She is the quietest kid you will ever meet and I was worried about her, but.....I have never heard her talk so much in all her life as the day she came home! She absolutely loved it! :lol:
This summer both girls (nine and almost 11 yrs old) will be attending a bible camp that is just 12 miles from us on the edge of the mountains. They are sooooo looking forward to it. Dropped of on Sun. aftnoon and picked up Sat. aftnoon. And I will be much happier to have them so close to home. It will be middle dd's first time at camp so I hope all goes well.

Donna....holy $700! How long are they at camp? The one week here cost $110 each.

:)

[Ryleigh]

dd has gone to a summer camp program run by the day-care I work for the past two summers. She has really enjoyed it. she also attended a five day Guiding camp when she was in Brownies. She was a little homesick but did well. She is going to be attending a day-camp for a few weeks with her cousin after we move. Ds isn't old enough to get into the camp they are at, but I have been offered a summer position at a centre near where we will be moving, with the 5 & 6 yr old JR Campers. ds will be able to be with me. Should be fun.

[AnnW]

DS went to a two week camp when he was 9, he loved every minute of it, was voted outstanding camper, but was VERY homesick and didn't choose to go back to any camp till this year. He is going to a boy scout camp in Oklahoma for 6 days. He also went to DC for a week so that sort of counts.
I grew up going to camp, first girl scouts and then an athletic camp for a month when I was the summer before 6th and 7th grades.
If dd wants to go the summer after 3rd grade (2 years away) she can.
I never really did day camps cause after a hectic school year and being so buzy with swim team and stuff that it's kind of nice to relax.

[TXmom]

I know! The youth camp was 5 nights, but the cost also included the chartered bus down to Corpus Christi, condo rental, food, etc. The kids camp is cheaper, but still almost $300 since we paid a late fee. Their thinking is that for a comparable camp you'd pay more. I'm sure there are scholorships to those that need them.

[darlene]

Originally posted by TXmom
I know! The youth camp was 5 nights, but the cost also included the chartered bus down to Corpus Christi, condo rental, food, etc.

Condo rental???? Wow! How far is Corpus Chrisit form you? Our kids sleep in good ole wooden cabing on metal bunk beds! :lol: I remember when I used to attend this camp, the "cabin" I stayed in was an old school bus with the inside converted into bunk beds. How I wish I had a picture from then! The girls don't believe me! :lol:

:)

[kat]

Donna....holy $700! How long are they at camp? The one week here cost $110 each

Wow! Camp price here went up $10.00. It's now $50.00 for a week. Of course there are no condos, just an unairconditioned cabin and bunk beds. I loved camp as a child, but to be honest I'm not looking forward to a week without ac. Bought 3 fans last week since all 3 of us will be in different cabins.

[TXmom]

I think children's camp will be more like an actual camp experience rather than the youth retreat. I've got a shoebox of stuff for him that I need to get in the mail by Thursday so it'll get there by next week. It''s got camp stationary, an autograph pillowcase and some candy.