Sleep Away camp

[thyme4change]

How old were you (or your kids) when you first went to sleep away camp?

How long did you stay - like a week, or an entire summer?

What type of camp did you go to?

How far was the camp from your house?

Debating on making my girl go this summer.  If I can get her BFF to go to - I think they would have a fabulous time.

[swamp]

about 10
week
girl scout
an hour

[swamp]

about 10<br>week<br>girl scout<br>an hour

[movingforward]

11 yrs old
Dance Camp
4 days
2 hrs away

[Phoenix84]

I think technically the first camp I slept away at was a school trip in 3rd grade.  Though I'm not sure it technically counts since my Dad was one of the chaperones. 

Even before that, my Dad took my sister and I camping almost every year, but I don't think that's what you are thinking about.

I don't recall the exact age I was when I attended a summer camp that was sleep away without my parents.  This was a long time ago mind you.  I want to say somewhere between 11 and 13.  I'm pertty sure was somewhere between the end of elementary school and the beginning of junior high. 

Same thing with the other questions, don't recall with much clarity.  I know it wasn't the full summer, but it was more than a few days.  I'd guess maybe a week or two.  I also don't recall how far away it was from where I lived, but more than a couple of hours, but within a days drive. 

Sorry if that doesn't help.  I remember more about the camp itself.  We spent a lot of time trying to build a treehouse in the woods.  And there was a pretty bad storm at one point.  We had to go into the basement for a night, and when we got out we found that the storm had blown out the windows and done some damage in our sleeping room.  We couldn't go to the treehouse we were building after that because powerlines had gone down in the area.  The camp counselors had this funny thing about being called chief or princess.  So it was "Chief John" or "Princess Kristen."

I'm was some type of camp for kids with high functioning autism like I had. 

[ontrack]

8 or 9
5 days
church camp with regular camp activities: canoeing, swimming, crafts, capture the flag etc.
2 hours

I went with my best friend each year for 4 years straight.  We had a blast.

[kittensaver]

10 or 11
1 week
Girl Scout camp
about 2 hours away

[Sum Dum Gai]

Never went, my mom couldn't afford it.

My kids just got back from Camp Sea Lab in Monterey.  3 days, 2 nights.  It's their first time at a sleep away camp.  The school tries to get all sixth graders to spend a few days at a science camp as part of the curriculum.

They won't go to summer camps this year because we can't afford it.

[reader79]

10 years old, for about ten days. I went to a Fresh Air Fund camp in upstate New York. I am sure that we did something productive. I remember a really long hike one day, some craft stuff, and that if you didn't know how to swim you were told to stay away from the water. Oh, and some counselor ate the entire box of vegan food that my mom sent with me so I nearly starved to death. They pointed me to a loaf of whole wheat bread and a jar of almond butter as a consolation (Yuck!)

I went by myself so I didn't really bond with anyone. I wasn't (and still am not) very outgoing, so no new friends. It was a nice bus ride?

[Peace Of Mind]

My first sleep away camp was in the Philippine Islands (and I still can't spell that!) at 11 years old.  I was a girl scout and it was in the jungle.  Thinking about the dangers I'm impressed that grown ups even volunteered to do that and/or that parents even allowed it.    I went to camp before then but it was for the day during the summer and I believe we went home every night.  So much fun!  You get to learn and do so many cool things and the places were so beautiful that I remember. 

[movingforward]

Apr 11, 2013 14:42:06 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Never went, my mom couldn't afford it.

My kids just got back from Camp Sea Lab in Monterey.  3 days, 2 nights.  It's their first time at a sleep away camp.  The school tries to get all sixth graders to spend a few days at a science camp as part of the curriculum.

They won't go to summer camps this year because we can't afford it.

For some reason I am sitting here thinking an adult version of Camp Sea Lab sounds like it would fun

[Sum Dum Gai]

Huh, when I heard about it all I could think about was this:

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Great now I have the song running thru my head  "Sea lab underneath the water. . ."

[Deleted]

Older son started at probably 7 or 8 with YMCA camp.  One overnight about a half hour away.  He also began scouting overnights about the same time which were 2-3 nights, but his Dad was the den leader, so technically a parent was along. 

He'll turn 11 this summer and has several planned including a 7 night scout camp that is probably 5 hours away.   As soon as he's old enough (I think 13) we're shipping him off to Sea Base camp in Key West for a week. 

[doxieluvr]

My daughter was 8. (So was I)
a week
4-H
10 minutes away

[Shooby]

Dd is 11. We want to send her to basketball camp. There is a local camp and one a couple hours away. We don't think she is ready to go hours away yet.

[thyme4change]

I think my daughter is ready.  I don't think her father is.  


Poor tender-hearted DH.  

[echoecho]

Not me but DS at 8 - one week at surf & bodyboard camp. Called towards the end of his first week, wanted to stay another week. Let him stay that 2nd week. From then on, until he was 16 years old he went for the full six weeks. I can honestly say that he still describes it as one of the best things in his life ever! Then again, who wouldn't enjoy being in Carlsbad for the summer. After the first summer, we really had to budget to afford it but so incredibly worthwhile.

[thyme4change]

What was the name of that camp?  Can I go?

[cronewitch]

Our school district owns a camp so all kids go. When I was young it was all 6th graders got a week. My week was April 1, 1959 when I was almost 12. We had a lake, nature walks and crafts and learned about ladybugs and tree bark. We had a square dance and had to write a letter home. It was a week, I wrote my letter but didn't sign it so parents had to assume it was the kid at camp who wrote home. It was fun but all the girls were 11-12 and half hit puberty before so showering with others for the first time embarrassed everyone.

Now the school district send 4th graders and maybe 5th grade I think that would be better, less puberty problems.

[echoecho]

Camp Pacific - www.abts.com/recreation/camp-pacific.php

It's held at the Army Navy Academy - Carlsbad's military boarding school. They do a "summer school" type camp that's separate from the surf camp. They've also changed the age range for campers but nevertheless I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

[whoisjohngalt]

Started at 8 or 9 - they were all 3 wks/session.  Varied as far as how far away from home.  I HATED it.  But my mom kept sending me.  So, send your DD only if SHE wants to.

BTW, you know how we were talking about bullying?  Well, I've never seen more bullying than in those type of camps.

[Shooby]

Very few people around here send their kids to camp. It just isn't something most people are doing here.

[skubikky]

Me:11,   sister: 8
All summer(8 weeks)
Religious/Cultural/Labor Union type
1 1/2 hours north of the city

[Shooby]

  I really wouldn't want my kids to be gone for 8 weeks all summer.  A week or two fine but not all summer.  I want to spend that time with them before they grow up.  Yes, i might send them to a longer camp of they were a talented gymnast or something.

[Deleted]

I really loved going to camp growing up.  I probably started about 7 or 8 and went to so many different kinds.  I was being raised by a single mom and she had to do something with me while she was at work. After a certain age you feel too old to be in daycare.  Some were more fun than others or course and there was bullying and "bad" experiences at camp.  But, for the most part, some of my fondest memories from childhood were from summer camps.

[Bob Ross]

General rule of thumb:

Don't send your kids to sleep away camp unless you want them to come back molested.

[thyme4change]

I'm excited because her BFF's mom texted me and said she thought it was a good idea.  Both the girls are a little timid with these types of things, but if they go together they would be a lot more comfortable.  So, now I just have to pick the best one.

I asked my son (who will turn 9 this summer) if he wants to go and he said "No - not really."  I told him I would make him go next year.  I'll let him mull that one over for a bit.

[Deleted]

about 10, YWCA affiliated, 1 wk, about an hour away.
I would have stayed all summer if my parents would have let me, it was so fun!

[Shooby]

The biggest issue i have with sleep overs and sleep aways is that the midnight hours are prime time for sexual abuse.  It is really something to consider nowadays.