DD and camp vent!! "Update post #31!!!!

[goofy4tink]

I just need to whine for a bit, so bear with me. Dd (almost 13) is off at camp..two weeks, we're right in the middle of it now. She's about 40 mins away. She attended last year for a week, loved it and decided she wanted to go back for two weeks this summer and do their performing arts program. She is there with another buddy who is also doing the performing arts program. The camp has done 'Annie', 'Peter Pan'...that kind of thing in the past. In fact, they did 'Peter Pan' the session just before my dd got there. She is very active in theater, studies voice..all that stuff. So.......I get a letter from her middle of last week. All is fine, she is settling in..it's the first day. That kind of stuff.
Well.....she calls me on my birthday, last Thursday. She is miserable....hates the show, isn't crazy about the 'director/counselor. And to top it all all, they are doing 'Canterbury Tales'!!! Now, I'm sorry, but how is that a great choice for kids that are 15 and under? My poor kid....no singing, Chaucer. Yuck.
Then, I get a letter yesterday...this is a killer folks!! Seems that bedbugs were found in part of my dd's wing..not her room, but in the same wing. So, they put all the kids in a soccer field for the night, then move them to a different lodge the next day. OMG!!! All I can think about are ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs!!! And she has another week to go. Add in severe thunderstorms and excessive heat (high 90's with huge humidity)..well, needless to say, I am not a happy mom.
This is a terrific camp, and my dd loved it last year. She isn't happy being away from home for this long (neither are her dad and I) but we think it's the best thing for her to get away from us and learn to be self-sufficient. But, this is turning into a horror story.
Thanks for listening....wonder if a letter to the camp might be in order when she gets home?

 

[Mermaid02]

I'd go get her if she is miserable.

 

[bicker]

It's a shame your DD had to go through this.

If you wrote a letter, what would you say?

Performing Arts includes both drama and music, so if they did musicals in recent years, it perhaps would be time to do a play. I know, as someone who cannot sing, I'd feel pretty left-out if I went to a Performing Arts camp year-after-year, only to be relegated to doing sets or costuming, because the camp never did a straight play.

Bedbugs. <shudder> Blech. Stuff happens, though. It's good that the camp took aggressive action to protect the children though, by taking steps to move them away from the infestation immediately, and move them into new quarters as soon as they could. And there's not much they can do about the weather. Camp was always about learning to adjust to the foibles of living with nature, so it's pretty much par for the course.

I'd have faith that your DD is indeed learning to be self-sufficient, as you had hoped, and is perhaps learning more this summer given the special challenges she's facing. I don't really see much that the camp could have done to side-step these challenges, without destroying the essence of what the camp experience needs to be for all the children they serve.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since she is into theater, it is always good to get different experiences to draw from. It may not seem like she is learning anything but she may well be learning something that will help her with her passions.
Drama is an aspect of theater that is part of study.

 

[shortbun]

Performing Arts would include Chaucer. Sorry but I think it's totally appropriate and wonderful that she will have this excellent and fun literature/play in her repertoire. That aside, the bedbug thing is awful. Hot weather at camp can be expected.

My son is 11. Thus far only one of his friends has gone off to sleepover camp. Neither I nor any of my friends did this and we seem to be pretty stable and independent individuals. That kid came home very sunburned and covered-really covered-with mosquito bites. These days with West Nile and encephalitis, mosquito bites are dangerous. The parents sent him back for a second week a few weeks later because they had no other child care arranged for him. I don't get it. Same kid showed me bruises he got from counselors during Dodgeball and other rough acitivities. Do your kids have these experiences at camp? Do you ask them? Do they not say anything about counselor abuse thinking you know about it or authorize it? I WAS thinking about sending my son to a camp next summer. I'm not so sure now. How do I assure myself that none of these bad things will happen and that the adults in charge will make the proper choices?

 

[powellrj]

I feel your pain! We have packed up DD for another trip to church camp. The first week she went this year was in June and it rained everyday and they had a tornado go through on her 3rd day there. I am so glad this was her 3rd year going and she knew she had a good time other years because I am not sure she would have wanted to go back! She leaves today for a mini-week at the same camp so I am hoping for good weather and no tornados!

DS is also in drama, and last year his class did "Don't Drink the Water" which was a Woody Allen farce about the cold war. Of course none of these kids knew anything about the cold war other than what they had read about so most of the play meant nothing to them. I kept trying to explain the referances to him, but it just went over their heads. They are doing Brigadoon next and he isn't looking forward to that one either.

Good Luck, I hope her week gets better!

 

[MushyMushy]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but what did you all expect summer camp to be like for your kids -- the Hilton?

I grew up going to camp every summer and everything you're saying sounds like par for the course. One phone call saying she's miserable, after a letter saying she's fine, that also sounds like normal kid drama. I can remember being that age and I was fine one minute, but having a spat with my friends the next and wanting to go home, then making up with them and being totally fine.

And Chaucer, well, that all depends on what they're doing with it. Some of those stories are downright entertaining. Could be a great play for them! Could also be a bummer. If you go see it, let us know how it turns out.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks guys! Yes, I realize non-musicals are in fact a huge part of theater...it's just an issue of the girls' expectations. I don't have a huge issue with a non-musical..however still don't think Chaucer is a great choice. But, not my call.
And yes, she's come home with bumps/bruises. Of course, those 'night games' can leave you banged up. But, the kids seem to love being out at night, wandering around, banging into stuff.

And bicker...the great thing about this program is that all the kids get into all aspects of theater...costuming, set build/design, props, as well as on-stage work. That's one of the aspects I love about it...none of that "Well, I'm an actor and you just do stage crew stuff!"...drives me nuts. These kids haven't realized yet that the guy behind the follow spot is a lot more important then the actor!!!! Or the sound person! Or those costume people. Yep, I love those all-important back stage people. So, I'm thrilled she gets to do it all for a change.

I guess, that after reading all your responses, I really have nothing to complain about. Yes, it's hot, overly so. No, she's not doing the type show she would prefer, but this is a great experience none the less.
The counselors are terrific...even with the blue hair and multiple body piercings!! My dd has counselors from England, S. Korea, Ukraine, as well as some from the USA. The same counselors come back year after year, while they are on break from college. I think I'll try to stop obsessing and worrying now.

As usual...DISers have some great insights and advice. Thanks for 'talking me off the ledge', so to speak. She will be a better person for this two weeks..more confident in her own abilities. And that's what it's all about.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Camp Granada by Alan Sherman

Hello Mudda, hello Fadda,
Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining,
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining.

I went hiking with Joe Spivy;
He developed poison ivy.
You remember Leonard Skinner;
He got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner.

All the counselors hate the waiters,
And the lake has alligators,
And the head coach wants no sissies,
So he reads to us from something called "Ulysses".

Now I don't want this should scare ya,
But my bunk mate has malaria.
You remember Jeffrey Hardy,
They're about to organize a searching party.

Take me home, oh Mudda, Fadda,
Take me home, I hate Granada!
Don't leave me in the forest,
where I might get eaten by a bear.

Take me home,
I promise I will not make noise,
Or mess the house with other boys.
Oh, please don't make me stay, I've been here one whole day.

Dearest Father, darling Mother,
How's my precious little brother?
Let me come home if you miss me,
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me.

Wait a minute, it stopped hailing,
Guys are swimming, gals are sailing.
Playing baseball, gee that's betta,
Mudda, Fadda, kindly disregard this letter!

 

[goofy4tink]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but what did you all expect summer camp to be like for your kids -- the Hilton?

I grew up going to camp every summer and everything you're saying sounds like par for the course. One phone call saying she's miserable, after a letter saying she's fine, that also sounds like normal kid drama. I can remember being that age and I was fine one minute, but having a spat with my friends the next and wanting to go home, then making up with them and being totally fine.

And Chaucer, well, that all depends on what they're doing with it. Some of those stories are downright entertaining. Could be a great play for them! Could also be a bummer. If you go see it, let us know how it turns out.

Not taking it wrong at all. You are absolutely right. We knew what we were getting into. She was there last year. Only got one letter saying how much she wanted to come home, and then nothing. Then, we pick her up and she's saying she's going back for two weeks the next summer. I guess for me, it was just a lot of things...her call on my b-day was what I would have thought. She hasn't been away from home all that much, so I know she misses her dad and me. Not a big issue. But, come on...sleeping in a wet soccer field for the night? I'm sure there is more to the story.....we'll see on Sat when we pick her up. I'm just hoping that she wants to go back next year. And yep....we'll be taping the show on Friday night. I can't wait to see what they do with Chaucer... I mean, does anyone remember the bakers story?? Yikes!!!

 

[froglady]

I'm surprised that your daughter's camp allows phone calls home. Both of my children have gone off to camp, but DD chose one an 8 hour drive away, while DS's camp is only an hour away. His has sessions that are 2 weeks or shorter, hers were a minimum of 10 days - after the first year, she went for 3 weeks at a time. DS wants to go to the longer session next year; this year he went to two one week sessions.

But neither camp allowed phone calls from campers.

 

[Karel]

Well.....she calls me on my birthday, last Thursday. She is miserable....hates the show, isn't crazy about the 'director/counselor. And to top it all all, they are doing 'Canterbury Tales'!!! Now, I'm sorry, but how is that a great choice for kids that are 15 and under? My poor kid....no singing, Chaucer. Yuck.Then, I get a letter yesterday...this is a killer folks!! Seems that bedbugs were found in part of my dd's wing..not her room, but in the same wing. So, they put all the kids in a soccer field for the night, then move them to a different lodge the next day. OMG!!! All I can think about are ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs!!! And she has another week to go. Add in severe thunderstorms and excessive heat (high 90's with huge humidity)..well, needless to say, I am not a happy mom.
?

I agree with Mushy. You need to put a brave face on and tell her everything is just fine. The camp can't do anything about weather, bugs or not getting along with the director. And someday she might have to read Canterbury Tales in school and she'll be ahead of the rest of the class.

I was a camp counselor for 12 years. If kids are getting sunburned and mosquito bites, they should be using their sunscreen and bug spray. Part of going to camp is learning to take care of yourself. My kids get that stuff from going to the lake and pool everyday. And a few bruises from playing a game is hardly counselor abuse.

I send my son off to Boy Scout camp today. It's his second week this summer, his choice. He'll be sleeping in a three sided wooden shelter with the front entirely open and wooden bunkbeds on the sides with a three foot concrete floor in the middle. There will be spiders, lots of spiders. They have to walk to the bathroom and I haven't even seen the shower with running water. I couldn't do it but it's heaven for a fourteen year old boy. The first week he went it rained and stormed everyday.

 

[Daxx]

That which does not kill us can only make us stronger.

If she wants to be an actress, she'll be able to call up this experience and use it to the best of her abilities. This situation might mean the difference between winning an Oscar and saying you're grateful for being nominated.

 

[Becky2005]

I see you responded back & I know as a parent it's hard.

My DD was off at Girl Scout camp 2 hours away when we were having severe storms. I was worried sick but not a thing I could do about it. Her's was only a week and about 1/2 through I was ready to go pick her up but didn't.

It was her first time at this particular camp too (she had been at other camps).

When I picked her up found out they spent 1/2 the time in the storm shelter, one of the nights they got to bed at 11 pm, only to be woken up at 4 am to go into the safe room of the shelter. DD said they were already awake though because of the storm with things hitting the storm shelter. They lost electricity so one of their meals in the dining hall was in the dark (not quite sure how that worked since it's summer time & you would think would be light as it is but they did have some regular indoor buildings -- I'm thinking that is what the dining hall was.) YET...she overall had fun & wants to go camping again next year. I can only imagine if things had been ideal. Hers was an animal camp, they only got to deal with the animals in-between storms if it happened to be feeding time. The vet that was going to come talk to them never made it.

I've had other years she has gone where it has been excessive heat warnings & one year the previous couple ngihts had been tornado warnings!

 

[bicker]

...the great thing about this program is that all the kids get into all aspects of theater...costuming, set build/design, props, as well as on-stage work.

Can campers who can't sing well get lead roles in the musicals?

I guess, that after reading all your responses, I really have nothing to complain about.

I think the real point is that it is possible to disappointed, to be upset even, without assaying blame and there being a reason to "complain." Like I said, stuff happens. It's a real shame when it does, but we really need to keep in mind that the vast majority of bad situations are without blame.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm surprised that your daughter's camp allows phone calls home. Both of my children have gone off to camp, but DD chose one an 8 hour drive away, while DS's camp is only an hour away. His has sessions that are 2 weeks or shorter, hers were a minimum of 10 days - after the first year, she went for 3 weeks at a time. DS wants to go to the longer session next year; this year he went to two one week sessions.

But neither camp allowed phone calls from campers.

The camp handbook says they aren't allowed phone calls, so when I saw the camp's name on caller ID, my stomach dropped! I think that they allowed her to call home since it was my birthday..but I still wouldn't have thought they would let her.

But, like I said before, I'm feeling much better about it. I think I must have sounded like a complaining, overprotective parent who wants only good things to happen to their child...hey, I think that's all of us ! As Daxx already said, that which doesn't kill us, makes us strong. The other thing that I try to live by is....rather than prepare the road for my child, I choose to prepare my child for the road. This is just one more case. I think, that in the long run, she is going to look back on this two week period and be glad.

Hey, bicker...no, if you can't sing, you can't get a singing lead in a musical. Well, unless you want to play Tevya in Fiddler!! But, there are always other more 'chorusy' type parts that non-singers can do. Besides, I've found those chorusy parts are more fun than the leads....all the fun, none of the responsibilities of line learning!!!!!

 

[bicker]

no, if you can't sing, you can't get a singing lead in a musical. Well, unless you want to play Tevya in Fiddler!! ....all the fun, none of the responsibilities of line learning!!!!!

And none of the experience of being the lead, carrying the show, being featured, etc. Again, it seems to me that, year-after-year, being unable to be in a position of having a chance at that opportunity wouldn't be fair, unless it was, specifically, a "musical" performance arts program.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Your daughter will be fine! In fact, in a couple of months she'll be talking about her experiences at camp as if they were the most exciting adventures she's ever had! My DD12 has been attending the same summer camp for 5 years now, going from a few days when she was much younger to a full two weeks this year. They specialize in canoeing and kayaking and sailing, etc., but the kids face the same challenges your daughter is; hot weather, bugs, stormy conditions, etc. I'm glad the camp discovered the bed bugs, it would have been worse if she'd come home with them traveling on her duffel bag.

Lastly, I know Chaucer is not for everyone... but it is good experience...

Hope this eases your mind a bit!

 

[goofy4tink]

And none of the experience of being the lead, carrying the show, being featured, etc. Again, it seems to me that, year-after-year, being unable to be in a position of having a chance at that opportunity wouldn't be fair, unless it was, specifically, a "musical" performance arts program.

I see your point!!! I think my dad, the worst singer in history, would agree with you!! Yep, you're right...everyone should have that chance..if a non-singer, then in a 'straight' show. The camp should be an equal oppurtunity for all budding thespians. I was just disappointed for my dd. But, it will be a learning experience for her. And I'll just bet that she'll be the only kid in the upcoming audtions to have Chaucer in her resume!!! She has a terrific voice, but really needs to learn about stage presence without singing.
I think I'm over my upset...thanks to the many thoughts here. And bicker.....there have to be some non-musical type shows you can do in your area...if not, come on down to central Ma...our theater group does one every spring!!!!

 

[powellrj]

We are getting ready to take DD back to camp and once again they have a severe thunderstorm warning for the county where the camp is. I just hope it doesn't rain the entire time she is there again!!!