I know. You have been up nights wondering how my older did with her first overnight camp experience. In case you’ve forgotten, details about me sending her off to camp for the first time can be found here.
I am happy to report that both mom and daughter survived. And, not only did we survive, but thrived! Tori is already counting down the days until she can go back to camp next summer (and not for just three days, but for SIX days next year).
I have personally never attended overnight camp, so I wasn’t sure that Tori would like the experience. But now, I am a firm believer that all kids need to experience overnight camp. We chose a religious camp, so not only did Tori grow in her faith, but she tried activities that she would have never been able to do if not for camp. And I can’t say enough about the friendships and camaraderie that camp fosters. There really is no way to replicate it outside of camp.
And, since coming home from camp, my “I don’t like to pick up after myself” daughter has been transformed into this responsible much more responsible young lady. She clears her dishes from the table AND puts them in the dishwasher. She puts her dirty clothes in the laundry basket. She makes her bed (without being asked!) and remembers to hang used towels in the bathroom. I am not constantly tripping over shoes left out and have found my lotion put back where it belongs after she has borrowed it. I’m not sure what magic formula they gave her to turn her into this responsible girl, but I’ll take it!
If your child has never been to overnight camp, I would recommend that you think about it and maybe take the plunge next summer.