Two weeks ago, I placed my son, Ethan, on a bus bound for overnight camp for two months. If I’m being honest, the choice to send him was not entirely voluntary for either of us. Although Ethan was initially excited, as departure day approached, he had a change of heart, and I found myself questioning whether this was the right decision. While he may be loving the experience, I’m the one grappling with the downsides of overnight camp. Here’s why:
- Few Photos to Relish: The camp photographer seems to have a knack for avoiding my son as if he were dodging chores. I sift through nearly 1,500 photos daily, and I’m lucky if I catch a glimpse of his face in the background of a group shot.
- Impact of Limited Photos: The scarce images I do find are examined with the scrutiny of a detective. While most would see Ethan wearing a clean uniform, I worry that he might not be eating, as his lack of food stains raises red flags about him possibly not changing clothes for days.
- His Letter Writing Skills: My son can tackle complex math problems but struggles to grasp the art of letter writing. I’ve had to send him diagrams illustrating how to address an envelope properly. Each letter I receive has been riddled with missing return addresses and misplaced stamps. So far, I’ve received three letters: one asking for his tennis racket, another mentioning the rain and questioning whether I got his letters (with no love for Mom), and the third complaining about a bunkmate, signed “Sincerely, Ethan.”
- My Letter Writing Dilemma: Writing letters to my camper is a challenge, as I must avoid updates about home life to prevent homesickness. Instead, my letters are filled with questions about camp life, based solely on the few photos I’ve seen online. “I noticed there were camp Olympics this weekend- that looked exciting! What team were you on? Did you win any events? Have you been canoeing? Please send more pictures, or I might have to keep sending these desperate letters!” It dawns on me that crafting these letters feels a lot like being a celebrity stalker.
- The Dread of Visiting Day: Oh, how I dread Visiting Day! I long to see my son, but why must parents visit just as the kids start adjusting to camp life? It feels cruel to disrupt their progress. I can only imagine counselors wrestling Ethan from our car as we drive away. If anyone knows of kids with chicken pox, please send them my way. I could use a not-so-life-threatening excuse to skip this emotional rollercoaster.
- An Unexpected Void: I often thought about how nice it would be to have a break from Ethan’s antics; however, I severely underestimated how quiet the house would be without him (and without the sibling squabbles). Every time I pass his room and see his tidy bed, I’m hit with a wave of nostalgia for his lovable, messy tween self.
Despite all this, I know sending him to camp was the best choice for him. The photos reveal a happy boy confidently embracing new sports, surrounded by friends, and participating in camp cheers. Ethan faced his fears of being away from home and thrived in the experience.
Maybe I don’t hate overnight camp after all.
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Summary:
Sending my son to overnight camp has brought unexpected challenges, from a lack of photos to the emotional turmoil of visiting day. Despite these struggles, I recognize the positive impact of this experience on his growth and confidence.
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