Monday, July 15, 2013

Getting Things Done...

My boy's at camp.

I must say I am a big fan of camp. It gives kids a chance to try a bit of independence along with new activities. They get to make friends. If you choose a Christian camp, like we did, they get to grow in Faith.

Summer camp is a tradition for many families, but enrollment has been declining. A tough economy has taken it's toll. I have to say though, that their are cheaper options. The article I linked to their mentions a camp that offers a two-week session for $1,160. CYC, the high school program that I've volunteered for, charges $775 for two full weeks and has a generous financial aid program. Because of a grant, we can even offer free camp for students who live in Boston, MA or attend Boston - based Baptist Churches.(We aren't specifically Baptist; the grant providers set the terms.)

Camp can be seen as an investment. It's preparation for college living, for adult independence. It aids in character development and helps children to develop close relationships outside their families. Through my camp experiences, I met friends in junior high with whom I am still friends today -- we pray for each other and for our children who are now campers at the same camp.

If there are younger siblings in the home, sending older kids to camp can give you time to focus on little ones and if all the adults at home have to work, camp can provide much needed childcare.

You will want to find a camp that fits your family -- your interests, values, etc. You will need to check into supervision and safety policies. But I strongly encourage you, if you have children or teens at home, to consider camp.

As for me... I am getting things done this week. I have some painting to finish up in two bedrooms, including my son's. I am a ministry student and will be preaching next Sunday so I can focus on that. I'll be organizing, exercising and taking a break from chauffeuring. This is also a benefit of summer camp. Moms do need breaks. Not from parenthood specifically but from day to day responsibility. From nagging and driving and overseeing homework and chores.

Not that I don't miss my son. I do. Big time. But I know this is good for both of us.

And I am getting things done.


How about you? Do you/did you send your kids to camp? Did you go yourself?











If your convinced about camp and want your high school aged son or daughter to try CYC this August. click here. Two weeks of worship, learning, fun and friends a 1/4 mile from the beach? What's not to love?!


 

 

10 comments:

  1. I haven't seen mine yet...she is only four, however, I may when she get's a bit older :)

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    1. Four is a bit young.. I know families that send kids at six, but we waited 'til age nine.

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  2. I did go a couple times, but I'm not much of a social or sports minded person so I often disliked being in camp.
    My daughter however ... I have a feeling she'll do well in camp when she's old enough

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    1. Ah, yes there are people it doesn't suit. There are wider variety of camps now, for all types of personalities and interests. Glad you'll be sending your daughter!

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  3. I did send both of my kids to church camp when they were growing up. The regional body of the "denomination" we belong to has it's own camp. My kids loved it and my son even went on to be a counselor. I really appreciate what a great deal it was reading those prices you quoted. It was only a week @ a cost of just under $200 and our church had a policy of asking the parents to pay $30 and the church would pay the rest for any child who attended the church to go.

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    1. That is a good deal! The camp my son is at, which I also attended, is a regional/denominational camp, too. Our church and association paid most of his costs. At CYC, we encourage churches to help the kids, too, but it's non-denominational and we also get unchurched kids so it's tougher. So glad your kids loved it!

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  4. You have some pretty good benefits listed for kids going to camp that I never really thought of. As a child, we never went to camp. I’m not sure if I would have wanted to if I had the opportunity. I would have said, sure if so and so is going. I was a shy child and probably wouldn’t have wanted to go, not realizing how beneficial it would have been for me. We did get to go to day camp a couple of times, which meant our mother shuttled out to UCSB or a park for the day. It did give her time to get things done and we did have other kids to play with!
    ~ Jodene

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    1. Day camps can be great in a lot of ways, too! The first time we sent my son to camp, he fought us. By the end of the first day he was a convert and now asks to go every year. Next year we may send him for two weeks.

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  5. I went to summer camp for a week each summer starting at the age of 12. I loved it. For me, it was an opportunity to get away. I never thought of it as a break for my parents. Especially since there were two other children left at home. But I suppose, only having two to deal with instead of the usual three must have felt like a break to them.

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    1. I started going at 12, too and I also loved it, most of the time. I didn't realize back then that my parents were taking a break. They always sent my sister and I at the same time, leaving only my little brother at home. He actually didn't start going 'til high school.

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