Summer Camp – Taking On New Experiences

Summer vacation is in full swing in my house and the kids are enjoying their lazy days. Summer brings a more relaxed schedule and a slower pace. No longer are we concerned with due dates, our schedules structured with obligations. Rather, summer affords more time to play, read, explore, and just relax.

Summer is also a time for growing, taking on new adventures, and camp.

A Summer Tradition

For the older two kids summer camp is an annual tradition. Since the age of 10, they have been allowed to tromp off to camp for one week each. The first year it was just the oldest, but the second year we had two go off. Each time returning with memories, stories, new friends, and of course, appearing slightly older than when we dropped them off just a week before.

Around here, July is the month for camp. In Maine our summers are short and July is just about as hot as we are going to get. Each summer our oldest heads to camp first. Not choosing favorites, that’s just how the camp schedule runs. He heads off to an all-boys camp for a week of outdoor adventures, earning badges, learning skills, and creating bonds that can only be created around a campfire. He comes home tired, dirty, and grateful for the opportunity.

A week or so later it’s our daughter’s turn. She heads to camp excited and dreaming of a wonderful week full of excitement. Each year I hope the reality lives up to the expectation. And each year I pick her up and listen for days as she relives the whole week moment by moment. Basking in the glory of summer camp, freedom, and fun.

A New Adventure

This year though, we took on a new adventure for the summer. Day camp. It was not something that was available to the older kids when they were younger, but something that was available this year for our seven-year-old. His first ever camp experience and he was so excited to go, to join the ranks of summer camp. The first camp he attended was just a 3-day adventure. He was so excited though that he woke me up at 6 am the morning of the first day. He had been talking about leaving for days and could not wait for his first ever camp experience.

The reality of the situation soon took shape in his young mind. And even though there were familiar faces around he soon learned that staying at camp was harder than he anticipated. A lot harder.

So even though he knew some of the kids there. Even though he knew some of the adult leaders. And even with his older brother along as a volunteer – he just wouldn’t let go of me. This poor child, who less than an hour before could not contain his excitement, now could not control his own fears and apprehension of being alone at camp.

It took a lot of encouragement, a lot of talking about what he would be doing at camp, and a small amount of distraction from a leader he knows and trusts to get him to let go and wave through tear-filled eyes as I pulled away.

Hours later when he returned home though, he was a different child. The joy that I saw earlier in the morning was back. The confidence in who he was had returned. He was filled with stories of fishing, and archery, and target practice.

And most importantly, proud that he faced his fear! Proud that he didn’t let fear of the unknown hold him back.

The next two days of camp were a blast as well. He ran off to play, learn, and interact with kids of various ages. This month he started a month-long day camp in town. This time though he took right off, a little older and wiser than he had been at that first camp experience. I can only look on as my youngest son grows right before my eyes.

Letting Go And Watching Them Grow

As I sit and think back to the first time we sent a child off to camp versus today I would like to think that it has gotten easier. We have learned over the years what to pack, how many extras to bring, and where to go. But it’s still letting go. Letting them go off and be in the world in the semi-supervised land of camp.

This year though I think I am realizing that it doesn’t get easier necessarily, but as our children age I think we learn to trust them more. The previous years we gave them opportunities to grow they surprised us with their maturity and resourcefulness. We let them out into the world and they came back a little older, a little wiser, and little taller. Camp affords them the opportunity to spread their wings, brave new territory, and try new things. It gives them opportunities they would not ordinarily have.

Now I know, it’s just one week. But to my kids anyway, it’s the best week. It’s staying up late, and getting up early. It’s running around with friends and counselors. Days full of activities such as swimming, archery, horseback riding, and wood-shop. It’s a chance to be on their own, while still supervised, that is unlike any other time in their lives.

And it’s waiting all year long for one glorious week that always seems far too short.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

While they each get their turn, the kids always feel their time at camp is much too short. A sentiment I can fully understand. You can only do so much in the course of the day, and there are only so many days in the week. But maybe that is part of the nostalgia associated with camp? It’s such a short experience, but filled with so many exciting things to do and lasts for such a short period of time.

As for me, I will continue to send them for as long as they wish to go. It’s a great experience in my opinion, and one I am glad I can offer them. Whether it’s overnight for a week, or a simple day camp, the memories, and the experiences cannot be replicated at home. Summer camp is a unique experience all its own. And one they will all too soon be too old for.

Do your children attend camps or participate in other summer-only activities they wait all year long for? Comment below!