ot- Son's 1st time away at camp going very badly

[JUJU814]

As a mommy I sooo know how you feel and can totally empathize. I would want to go get him too!

It is extremely unwise of the camp to allow cell phones and calls to home. Your son's reaction is totally normal for many kids first times away. Being able to call home a zillion times does not help, and the camp should know better. That really irritates me that they weren't on top of that one!

If he were younger, like 7-8, I'd say, go get him. But at 11, where he's already lasted 3 1/2 days, and only has 2 more, I'd make him stick it out. Ouch! I know!!! Tell him he will not die..and when you go get him, you'll take him for a good meal on the way home. Also, by the time you show up, he'll be so proud of himself for having stuck it out.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am also overprotective, but after 3 and a half days, and him still upset, and not eating, I would be there in a heartbeat!!

 

[NJFabFour]

He's playing his parents like fiddles, his mom is giving him exactly what he wants, and he should have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER been given a cell phone at camp! The leader broke the camp rules by agreeing to it.

If he calls home again, his Mom should NOT be the one talking to him. He knows she's upset and worried (for no real reason) and it sounds like to him she'll give in. They should either not answer the phone, or the dad should only talk to him during this time. The kid's at Scout camp, for crying out loud! He knew exactly what it was going to be all about when he signed up! Scout meetings are usually 1 once a week, and you're telling me NO ONE prepared him or talked during meetings what this camp was like????? He'll be home in a day now, he can handle it just fine.

I do feel bad for his mom. It's very hard knowing your child is upset & unhappy. This is also a lesson for her as well as her son. She now knows what he can or cannot handle. Just know, when he does come home you can love him, hug & kiss him, tell him how proud you are he stuck it out, & coddle him all you want.

Don't worry, it'll all turn out fine.

OP here and all the tough-love proponents out there will be happy to know that I have NOT gone to pick him up . . . yet!
Some clarifications: I checked the camp website this a.m. and it actually says that cell phones are "discouraged" but permissable. So I felt a little better that we weren't actually breaking a rule. And knowing it only had 2 bars, he has kept it off and in his foot locker except when he calls early in the a.m. or late in the evening during free times. So we can not call him . . . he can only call us. I completely understand the controversy on that whole issue but for us personally, it was absolutely the right thing to do and I will try to explain why . . .
this is definately NOT about him being homesick, missing us, or even so much wanting to come home. This is a kid who would NOT give us a moment's thought IF he was enjoying what he was doing. He went to a school competition across the country for a week at Iowa State U. and, although I went along (I was the coach), I have no doubts whatsoever that he'd have been thrilled to be there and not thought of us once if I wasn't there and I'd have been perfectly comfortable with him being there. As tinkerdoodle said above, the hard thing about this experience is knowing my child is upset and unhappy.
Further clarification . . . most of the calls have been about his "annoyance" with the activities and just not liking it. That doesn't bother me in the least! It's been the 2 - 3 calls where he has been in tears and an emotional wreck (once over being truly frightened in his tent at night and once over feeling sick and being worried about not having eaten) that have had me on the verge of jumping in the car. However, to DS's credit, he has NOT told us to come and get him (even though I have told him it was okay if he needed us to) with the exception of early the very first morning and Tues. night when he was afraid (to which we told him each time that he'd have to wait and see how he felt a few hours later).

I've been away myself at GS camp and been a camp counselor and believe me, I understand about the growth and independence involved. For me, GS camp was great but I was quite homesick. For my son, it's not that he's homesick, but more that camping is not his thing. It never has been and I think he's learned the hard way with this being the most intensive camping yet, that boy scouts may not be something for him with the intensive amount of camping that they now do (he only had minor experiences with it as a cub scout). I can guarantee that he truly has hated it with a passion and my DS, being the "World's Best Complainer" (as I often refer to him) and eternal pessimist, that we will hear for years about the torture of this week!!

That said, I totally realize and understand that this is an important stepping stone for all of us and perhaps has been much harder for me than it has for him. I accept that it's a necessary process of letting go (but it doesn't mean I have to like it!!!)

Pick up is at 9:00am Sat. and I will be there at 7!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I truly do not know what I would do in your situation.

However, it REALLY bothers me that it would be acceptable for Boy Scouts to be jerks to him if he were to go home. I thought that the organization was supposed to teach boys to be good and honorable, and kind. It's reminding me of the "gotcha" moment in A Few Good Men, when Jack Nicholson admits that if he gave an order his men would follow it, but he says that he DID give an order, but obviously the guys didn't follow it, which means he ordered them to harm the Marine. That behaviour shouldn't be tolerated for a moment, IMO, at a camp where boys are taught to be honorable, brave, and strong.

But DS won't be in BS anyway, b/c of their religious etc stuff, so I guess we really never encounter this exact problem.

Still bugs me that it would be allowed though, and accepted....

 

[JUJU814]

GET A GRIP!

Ok, this statement is completely ridiculous for this day & age. I do not know if you have children or if any, how old your children are, BUT at 11 years old this boy is either in middle school, starting middle school, or will be in a year (this of course depends on your school district). Our son is 11 as well, and has already completed 1 year of middle school in a very good area of our town. Middle school is relentlessly rough on students now. Kids are completely under-disciplined (primarily by parents and teachers have to make up the difference), are bullies to no extent, (girls AND boys!) and will torment this boy over & over if they find out his mommy saved him from camp! I talked to my son about this situation (and he's not the bravest of the brave either!) and he said he absolutely wouldn't have left because of the torment he would receive later. These things stick like glue. Razzing and bullying are 2 totally different things nowadays. Razzing (light teasing) just doesn't happen anymore. Have you seen the news reports about suicide & such in teens because of bullying? Please! The bullying & teasing are SOOOOOO much worse than he not learning the "quitting is ok" lesson. WAKE UP! He's playing his parents like fiddles, his mom is giving him exactly what he wants, and he should have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER been given a cell phone at camp! The leader broke the camp rules by agreeing to it.

If he calls home again, his Mom should NOT be the one talking to him. He knows she's upset and worried (for no real reason) and it sounds like to him she'll give in. They should either not answer the phone, or the dad should only talk to him during this time. The kid's at Scout camp, for crying out loud! He knew exactly what it was going to be all about when he signed up! Scout meetings are usually 1 once a week, and you're telling me NO ONE prepared him or talked during meetings what this camp was like????? He'll be home in a day now, he can handle it just fine.

I do feel bad for his mom. It's very hard knowing your child is upset & unhappy. This is also a lesson for her as well as her son. She now knows what he can or cannot handle. Just know, when he does come home you can love him, hug & kiss him, tell him how proud you are he stuck it out, & coddle him all you want.

Don't worry, it'll all turn out fine.

Soooooo, tell us how you REALLY feel?

 

[2forMe]

My DS11 just returned from his week at Boy Scout Camp about 10 days ago. It was his 1st time away from home (he'd never even been to a day camp) and he was there Sunday-Saturday. The boys were absolutely not allowed to have any cell phones with them at all....no contact with parents. I think part of your problem lies right there. I think he would be doing better if he had not had contact with you at all this week.

As much as I know it hurts, I think you need to tell your DS to turn his phone over to his scoutmaster & suck it up until you pick him up on Saturday. The boys are completing requirements towards merit badges this week & it would be a shame if your DS did not get to complete all of the activitites.

We had "Family Night" on Friday night & got to go visit the camp that afternoon & evening (it's a 3 hour drive from our home). When we saw DS that night, he told us he'd been homesick until about Tuesday nite...but was ok after that. Is your camp having a family night?

Yes this is a problem.. I am very surprised that a cell was allowed. I am sure your ds is not starving. You need to speak to an adult to see how he is really doing.

 

[duffy]

Even if he doesn't give up his phone, BE THE ADULT AND REFUSE TO TALK TO HIM!! Keep it under 30 seconds. "Are you dying? No? Ok, I'll see you when we pick you up! I love you!" *click*

My daughter leaves for camp tomorrow. Absolutely no cell phones allowed!

If your son gets hungry enough, he will eat!

 

[robinb]

That said, I totally realize and understand that this is an important stepping stone for all of us and perhaps has been much harder for me than it has for him. I accept that it's a necessary process of letting go (but it doesn't mean I have to like it!!!)

Pick up is at 9:00am Sat. and I will be there at 7!!

 

[3boymthr]

I truly do not know what I would do in your situation.

However, it REALLY bothers me that it would be acceptable for Boy Scouts to be jerks to him if he were to go home. I thought that the organization was supposed to teach boys to be good and honorable, and kind. It's reminding me of the "gotcha" moment in A Few Good Men, when Jack Nicholson admits that if he gave an order his men would follow it, but he says that he DID give an order, but obviously the guys didn't follow it, which means he ordered them to harm the Marine. That behaviour shouldn't be tolerated for a moment, IMO, at a camp where boys are taught to be honorable, brave, and strong.

But DS won't be in BS anyway, b/c of their religious etc stuff, so I guess we really never encounter this exact problem.

Still bugs me that it would be allowed though, and accepted....

Actually, the razzing ISN'T tolerated, at least not where we live, but it does happen, just not when at Boy Scouts - usually at school, etc.

As far as the religious thing, don't let that deter you from Scouts. Scouts is open to all religions. There are awards for all religions and if the packs/troops in your area are discriminating on the basis of religion it needs to be brought to the attention of the council so they can get it to stop. And truly, although there is a religious aspect you don't need to be part of an organized religion to become a part of scouts. We have beliefs but don't actively participate in any church. When asked we celebrate religion at home and worship in our way. No one ever questions it.

 

[CLR4321]

I would have him stay there, as hard as that may be for you. If he has friends there, he is likely having some fun at least, but is only calling you when he's feeling upset. I agree with the PP who said that having the phone may be making him feel even more home sick. Perhaps this wouldn't be a good idea for the next camp-out.
I hope he begins to enjoy his time there soon! Don't feel guilty!

 

[tinker-belle]

Hi. I may be too late in responding as your son may be due to come home now anyway, but...
My son went away for his first time last summer (for a month- visiting day was in the middle).
He didn't have a cell phone but the camp mother let him call home a few times, and I also realized that it seemed to be his 'crutch'- he'd leave activities in order to be able to come home; and as much as it killed me, eventually I had to say, "I love you so much, but unless there is a real emergency I don't think you should call me for a week- give it a try," and he realized that when he wasn't constantly thinking about the call of the day, he got more involved in his friends & activities & camp & enjoyed it even more.
The beginning was rough on him, but he ended up loving it! (and wants to go back).
I also read that if you give your child an 'out' saying, 'oh if it's so bad, i'll pick you up early,' then your child will not even try to adjust, knowing that he will get picked up- and he will only look for the negatives, exaggerate those negatives and that is all you will hear about since he knows you will get him.
My child felt so empowered that he was able to do it.
I still sent him letters & packages & didn't 'abandon' him, but his phone calls did need to be greatly reduced in order for him to properly enjoy camp & his independence.

 

[Tisha_PA]

I would make him stick it out. Also, probably wasn't a very good idea to give him the cell phone. IF he had no means of communicating with you, he probably would be more involved in the activities rather than calling and asking to come home. When my brother and I were younger around 8 or 9, we used to attend a church camp for 2 weeks. The first year my brother came, he was horribly homesick and sent my parents constant letters begging to come home. They came up on parents visiting day (at the end of week one) and he was packed and ready to go home. My mother made him stay and once he realized he wasn't going anywhere, he joined in and had a great second week. He continued to go for another 5 years or so after that.

 

[boltfans]

I know you don't think the phone is part of the problem, but if he didn't have it, he wouldn't be able to complain to you about how he hates all the activities, food, water, etc. He'd find a friend to make those complaints to, as I am sure other boys there think the water is gross too, or whatever. He's be able to bond over the experience, rather than isolate himself from the pack. Plus if you don't have someone to complain to morning and night, you might actually just try to enjoy the activities to make the best of the situation. Also, he could be using the time on the phone with you to talk to his friends at camp, which would benefit him all around, particularly if he's shy, cause he wouldn't have to worry about joining in on a conversation late, plus the other kids are probably aware that he's calling mommy twice a day and I can't imagine that going over too well.

If it helps at all, when I was 15yo I spent a summer doing community service onan island in Grenada, the little Caribbean nation just north of Venezuela. Yes, I was older, but once I got there I was ready to go home nonetheless. The house we lived in was a shack and we had to sleep on the floor with bugs. The oven didn't work so we had to cook all of our meals on a fire or the stove top (and teenagers were doing the grocery shopping and all the cooking, so you can imagine how good the food was). The water had to be boiled and was disgusting even then so we drank very little. It was so hot and humid and bug-ridden and we had to do manual labor all day. But despite all that I survived the 6 weeks and didn't come home emaciated or anything. There was a pay phone about a mile away that we could use, but we had to walk in groups for safety reasons so we definitely didn't call home everyday cause it was just not feasible. If it would have been possible, I would have asked my mom to fly me home immediately, but it wasn't. And not only did I survive, but I came out of it a different and stronger person. I realized that sometimes things suck and you can either writhe in misery (like 1 girl did in our group) ad hve a terrible time, or try to see the good in the situation, work with the group and try to enjoy new activities that you otherwise wouldn't want to try or participate in.

 

[NotUrsula]

I truly do not know what I would do in your situation.

However, it REALLY bothers me that it would be acceptable for Boy Scouts to be jerks to him if he were to go home. I thought that the organization was supposed to teach boys to be good and honorable, and kind. It's reminding me of the "gotcha" moment in A Few Good Men, when Jack Nicholson admits that if he gave an order his men would follow it, but he says that he DID give an order, but obviously the guys didn't follow it, which means he ordered them to harm the Marine. That behaviour shouldn't be tolerated for a moment, IMO, at a camp where boys are taught to be honorable, brave, and strong.

But DS won't be in BS anyway, b/c of their religious etc stuff, so I guess we really never encounter this exact problem.

Still bugs me that it would be allowed though, and accepted....

IME, Scout Camp is run on a quasi-military pattern. Mild hazing rituals are not only tolerated, but encouraged as building courage. (Anyone do the Bobcat Blood thing? -- in our district, the older boys mix the "blood", and they relish making it as foul-tasting as humanly possible without actually being poisonous. The younger kids are told all sorts of ghoulish stories about how it's real blood, and many of them believe it until their parents tell them it's all a joke.)

DS spent 6 years in a troop sponsored by a Catholic Grade school. Officially, profanity was not supposed to be tolerated. Unofficially, at the Scout level they all swore like newly-minted Marines any time they were in a Scout-only environment with no women around. DS doesn't like profanity as he associates it with anger, so he didn't fit in in that respect. (DH and I try not to swear around the kids, but like many people, we sometimes slip when we are VERY upset about something. DS has never really been around casual profanity.)

Scouts can be like Lord of the Flies at times, really, in terms of mental cruelty. At the Scout level, the troops are completely run by the boys, and IME, the adults try very hard to stay out of their affairs as long as no one is being physically harmed. It's a male domain, and they tend to resent any opinions and interference by women into what they are doing. IME the taint of being a mama's boy is deadly in that environment.

The last straw for us with DS' former troop was that they were scheduled to be starting a weekend trip (DH was going, too), but right at the time they were supposed to arrive, a REALLY severe electrical storm was going to be passing right over the reservation (severe hail and 45 mph winds, with a lot of lightning.) DH decided that he did not think it would be safe for the boys to be in tents in that, and tried to talk the Scoutmaster into postponing until 3 am the next morning, which would still have them in camp and ready by reveille. When the Scoutmaster refused, DH decided that he and DS would not be going that night, but would join the troop in the morning after the storm passed. When they went out the next morning the reservation was in shambles and debris was everywhere; they had sustained a direct hit from the storm. They wandered around for two hours, but were unable to find the rest of the troop -- no one knew where they were, and they were not at their assigned site. The Scoutmaster's phone didn't answer, either. DH decided that it wasn't worth the aggravation, and they came home. At the next meeting, DS got demerits for not showing up at camp, AND as usual got called something that I can't say here on the DIS (closest I can come is to tell you that it is a rude term for a certain part of female anatomy.) We feel that lightning is NOT something to be treated cavalierly, so that situation on top of the harassment was enough to make us decide to allow DS to resign.

DS will be trying a new troop at a new school this year, and we are hoping that this group of boys will be a bit kinder, but we're not really counting on it. DS has Asperger's, and DH feels it is important for DS to try to stick with Scouts, because he doesn't play team sports, and DH feels that it is important for him to try to get a better understanding of the way all-male social groups operate. Personally I'm just trying to keep him from swearing off all Scouting until he's 14 and old enough to join Sea `Scouts -- DS *loves* boats and would really enjoy that program a lot more than traditional Scouting activities. (Also, Sea Scouts is co-ed.)

 

[DawnM]

Wow! Our troop is TOTALLY and completely different than your troop!

The parents are VERY involved, nothing more than mild teasing has any place in our troop, and boys are overly told to encourage one another, look out for the ones who aren't as "strong" (younger, have physical impairments, etc...)

I LOVE our troop of very quality young men. They truly live the scout law(trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent!)

If our troop were anything other than what scouts stood for I would be OUT of there!

Dawn

PS: My sons will also NOT go to camp without my DH along until they are at least 13 and have gone with Dad at least once.

IME, Scout Camp is run on a quasi-military pattern. Mild hazing rituals are not only tolerated, but encouraged as building courage. (Anyone do the Bobcat Blood thing? -- in our district, the older boys mix the "blood", and they relish making it as foul-tasting as humanly possible without actually being poisonous. The younger kids are told all sorts of ghoulish stories about how it's real blood, and many of them believe it until their parents tell them it's all a joke.)

DS spent 6 years in a troop sponsored by a Catholic Grade school. Officially, profanity was not supposed to be tolerated. Unofficially, at the Scout level they all swore like newly-minted Marines any time they were in a Scout-only environment with no women around. DS doesn't like profanity as he associates it with anger, so he didn't fit in in that respect. (DH and I try not to swear around the kids, but like many people, we sometimes slip when we are VERY upset about something. DS has never really been around casual profanity.)

Scouts can be like Lord of the Flies at times, really, in terms of mental cruelty. At the Scout level, the troops are completely run by the boys, and IME, the adults try very hard to stay out of their affairs as long as no one is being physically harmed. It's a male domain, and they tend to resent any opinions and interference by women into what they are doing. IME the taint of being a mama's boy is deadly in that environment.

The last straw for us with DS' former troop was that they were scheduled to be starting a weekend trip (DH was going, too), but right at the time they were supposed to arrive, a REALLY severe electrical storm was going to be passing right over the reservation (severe hail and 45 mph winds, with a lot of lightning.) DH decided that he did not think it would be safe for the boys to be in tents in that, and tried to talk the Scoutmaster into postponing until 3 am the next morning, which would still have them in camp and ready by reveille. When the Scoutmaster refused, DH decided that he and DS would not be going that night, but would join the troop in the morning after the storm passed. When they went out the next morning the reservation was in shambles and debris was everywhere; they had sustained a direct hit from the storm. They wandered around for two hours, but were unable to find the rest of the troop -- no one knew where they were, and they were not at their assigned site. The Scoutmaster's phone didn't answer, either. DH decided that it wasn't worth the aggravation, and they came home. At the next meeting, DS got demerits for not showing up at camp, AND as usual got called something that I can't say here on the DIS (closest I can come is to tell you that it is a rude term for a certain part of female anatomy.) We feel that lightning is NOT something to be treated cavalierly, so that situation on top of the harassment was enough to make us decide to allow DS to resign.

DS will be trying a new troop at a new school this year, and we are hoping that this group of boys will be a bit kinder, but we're not really counting on it. DS has Asperger's, and DH feels it is important for DS to try to stick with Scouts, because he doesn't play team sports, and DH feels that it is important for him to try to get a better understanding of the way all-male social groups operate. Personally I'm just trying to keep him from swearing off all Scouting until he's 14 and old enough to join Sea `Scouts -- DS *loves* boats and would really enjoy that program a lot more than traditional Scouting activities. (Also, Sea Scouts is co-ed.)

 

[KELLY]

I would go get him. But that is me. I hated camp also.

 

[NJFabFour]

IME, Scout Camp is run on a quasi-military pattern. Mild hazing rituals are not only tolerated, but encouraged as building courage. (Anyone do the Bobcat Blood thing? -- in our district, the older boys mix the "blood", and they relish making it as foul-tasting as humanly possible without actually being poisonous. The younger kids are told all sorts of ghoulish stories about how it's real blood, and many of them believe it until their parents tell them it's all a joke.)

DS spent 6 years in a troop sponsored by a Catholic Grade school. Officially, profanity was not supposed to be tolerated. Unofficially, at the Scout level they all swore like newly-minted Marines any time they were in a Scout-only environment with no women around. DS doesn't like profanity as he associates it with anger, so he didn't fit in in that respect. (DH and I try not to swear around the kids, but like many people, we sometimes slip when we are VERY upset about something. DS has never really been around casual profanity.)

Scouts can be like Lord of the Flies at times, really, in terms of mental cruelty. At the Scout level, the troops are completely run by the boys, and IME, the adults try very hard to stay out of their affairs as long as no one is being physically harmed. It's a male domain, and they tend to resent any opinions and interference by women into what they are doing. IME the taint of being a mama's boy is deadly in that environment.

The last straw for us with DS' former troop was that they were scheduled to be starting a weekend trip (DH was going, too), but right at the time they were supposed to arrive, a REALLY severe electrical storm was going to be passing right over the reservation (severe hail and 45 mph winds, with a lot of lightning.) DH decided that he did not think it would be safe for the boys to be in tents in that, and tried to talk the Scoutmaster into postponing until 3 am the next morning, which would still have them in camp and ready by reveille. When the Scoutmaster refused, DH decided that he and DS would not be going that night, but would join the troop in the morning after the storm passed. When they went out the next morning the reservation was in shambles and debris was everywhere; they had sustained a direct hit from the storm. They wandered around for two hours, but were unable to find the rest of the troop -- no one knew where they were, and they were not at their assigned site. The Scoutmaster's phone didn't answer, either. DH decided that it wasn't worth the aggravation, and they came home. At the next meeting, DS got demerits for not showing up at camp, AND as usual got called something that I can't say here on the DIS (closest I can come is to tell you that it is a rude term for a certain part of female anatomy.) We feel that lightning is NOT something to be treated cavalierly, so that situation on top of the harassment was enough to make us decide to allow DS to resign.

DS will be trying a new troop at a new school this year, and we are hoping that this group of boys will be a bit kinder, but we're not really counting on it. DS has Asperger's, and DH feels it is important for DS to try to stick with Scouts, because he doesn't play team sports, and DH feels that it is important for him to try to get a better understanding of the way all-male social groups operate. Personally I'm just trying to keep him from swearing off all Scouting until he's 14 and old enough to join Sea `Scouts -- DS *loves* boats and would really enjoy that program a lot more than traditional Scouting activities. (Also, Sea Scouts is co-ed.)

Wow, I'm amazed and so sorry your son had to be put through such nonsense! As a speech therapist, I've had the privilege of working with many students with Asperger's and they are among the coolest kids I've known. It's completely unacceptable for those boys (or any kids) to treat another scout (or anyone) in such a manner (but, of course, I don't have to tell you that!). I certainly hope that he finds a positive experience with the other troop! I don't know what my son's future holds and at least for now, we've not seen any negativity within the ranks, but I also would never tolerate that. Good luck to your son!

 

[lostatdisney]

As a mom, we just want our kids to be happy, but experiences like this are just part of growing up. I waste way too much time worrying when my kids go off to camp, but it does get easier, and they gain a little independence and life experience. Yes, they have had rough times.

My kids are all three on a church mission trip this week where an older woman is supervising the kids as they take turns doing the cooking. My middle child is a VERY picky eater, and I asked if there would be alternatives to what is served - like bread and peanut butter to make a sandwich - but as I said it I realized how ridiculous I sounded asking this of a woman who probably lived through the Great Depression. The answer was no, and I do hope that maybe he learned to broaden his palate a little! I did send snacks, and I'm sure he is not starving.

My oldest is about to begin his senior year, and I'm glad I've had to let go little by little and let him grow up, even though I tear up when I think of him leaving home for college in another year. Our goal should not be to keep our kids "happy" but to give them a good foundation so that they can grow up to become productive members of society.

Some camps might worry me more than others, but the Boy Scouts are such a fine organization. They are prepared to deal with all kinds of situations, and they will take very good care of your son. My middle survived several years of week-long Boy Scout camp. He came home tired, but he had a great time!

 

[bellebud]

I just wanted to give the OP a big

Let us know what ds and an adult says about the whole experience after you pick him up. Just wondering if he was miserable the whole time (would the adult even really tell you that? That would make the camp look bad I would think), or was he just miserable when he was thinking of you and home?

I do hope he had some good times to look back on, even if he doesn't do the camp thing again, which in my book, would be totally fine. Kids don't need camp to grow up and become independent people. There are many other opportunities all around us for growth for kids.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Been following this thread, and just wanted to say here's hoping when you pick him up today he's thinking the whole week wasn't so bad after all!

I have mixed feelings about it -- on the one hand, I understand the "see things through that you start" camp, but having also been through a week away from my family that I cringe about to this day, I can see that side, too. That's the adventure of parenting, I guess!