No Camp This Summer? No Problem!

As a child, I went to a variety of camps for 15 summers - and loved every bit of it! My parents both worked and my grandparents were elderly (or had passed on). As an only child, my parents saw summer camp as a unique opportunity for me to socialize with kids from all over the world and experience things (places and activities) that were new. In addition, summer camp allowed me to explore everthing from white water rafting, to being a part of a musical play, to horse back riding and farm animal care. I learned so many things at summer camp - getting along with others, true friends, independence, self-confidence, and there were plenty of opportunities to "hang out" and play. That being said, not every camp does all of these things and not every camp is appropriate for every camper. Parents need to choose a camp wisely by taking in to consideration their child's needs, interests and abilities in addition to areas in which they need more encouragement or development. If camp is viewed as a place to "stash" a kid for the summer, then perhaps there are bigger issues in the household - like whether the parents are taking an active interest in their child and their child's development. Camp is not a parenting short-cut. In fact, my parents say that sending me to camp was one of the hardest things they ever had to do, but benefits made it worth it! If you can offer your child all of the things I got from summer camp, then more power to you! But, lets be honest, not everyone can do that.

As a child, I went to a variety of camps for 15 summers - and loved every bit of it! My parents both worked and my grandparents were elderly (or had passed on). As an only child, my parents saw summer camp as a unique opportunity for me to socialize with kids from all over the world and experience things (places and activities) that were new. In addition, summer camp allowed me to explore everthing from white water rafting, to being a part of a musical play, to horse back riding and farm animal care. I learned so many things at summer camp - getting along with others, true friends, independence, self-confidence, and there were plenty of opportunities to "hang out" and play. That being said, not every camp does all of these things and not every camp is appropriate for every camper. Parents need to choose a camp wisely by taking in to consideration their child's needs, interests and abilities in addition to areas in which they need more encouragement or development. If camp is viewed as a place to "stash" a kid for the summer, then perhaps there are bigger issues in the household - like whether the parents are taking an active interest in their child and their child's development. Camp is not a parenting short-cut. In fact, my parents say that sending me to camp was one of the hardest things they ever had to do, but benefits made it worth it! If you can offer your child all of the things I got from summer camp, then more power to you! But, lets be honest, not everyone can do that.

I'm 15 and have had limited exposure to summer camp. I think so far I'm turning out fine. From the time I was six I attended science camp and art camp alternatively. They usually lasted about 5 days and were just day camps. I had a lot of fun at them, but if i had to do that all summer I probably would have died. This summer I went to a camp at UNO that I was invited to. It was fun, 4 days of science experiments and mathematical equations. But I was so tired when I got home that I couldn't get out of bed the next day. I wouldn't want to spend all summer at camp and I think it probably would affect me negatively if I did. I already have a 4.0 and I havent even started highschool yet. I took some advanced Algebra classes this past year and already have some credits. I think some parents just need to relax a little. I probably have a bit more freedom than most kids and I dont think its a bad thing. I don't do drugs, have sex, or steal things. My parents work and in the summer I'm usually home by myself or occasionally out with friends. I love my free time. I read books I wouldn't have time to read during the school year or skim through articles online I might have overlooked had I had a busier schedule. Sometimes I just sketch in the yard or bake cookies. I think it's helped me to be a more creative individual. Jimmy isn't going to ignite the neighbors house just because you left him at home today. I haven't. He will probably find something productive or creative to do with his time. Maybe he will decide to become an astronautical engineer in all the free time you gave him.

What about the grandparent thing? I frankly don't want my child to spend any time with them - even though they would be a convenient source of help. My feelings are based on the way they treated my child this past Christmas and birthday. It was very clear they they prefer the cousin, and even though I tried to explain it away that Christmas is about being with family, and not about the gifts, feelings were still hurt. And then the birthday came along, and the "gift" was so bizarre (frozen steaks for a teenager) that I was speechless. I also lost my job in March, but was able to find something quickly - I am very lucky - at a substantial reduction in pay (but it is certainly much more than a big fat zero) So, very few camps this summer, and I slog along with the kindness of an indulgent employer. But, at the end of the day, it doesn't change the perceived rejection by the grandparents, and my intense dislike for them.

when you complain that kids only want to play with the electronic stuff ask yourself who bought these children the electronic gagdets in the first place? then you will know who to blame

In today's day freeplay has become an antisocial "parallel play". My kids and their friends wind up cruising the neighborhood in search of a house whose parents do not mind them sitting indoors on gameboys or texting. I of course am the "mean Mom" who set up a badminton net and volley ball in the yard and will only allow kids indoors to use the bathroom or bring a snack outside to the picnic table. I provide kickball, wiffleball, basketball, bicycles, and skateboards. You should see how fast they run to find a house to sit around and play with electronics.
My kids have had a week of sailing camp and soccer camp so far. Next week they're off to scout camps. Poor babies, no DS!

I would like to invite the author to visit our summer camp because she clearly shows a total lack of understanding of what happens at summer camps. We are teaching kids how to interact, develop social skills, independence and self reliance. Camps are not overpriced baby sitters, they are amazing programs that play an important role in youth development.

Oh, and as for free play, our camp has plenty of free play. Every day we have one or two hour long blocks that are devoted to free play. Campers can choose to participate in one of many elective programs, they can hang out with friends, or they can go to their bunk and read. We have one day a week where bunk groups create their own schedule and come up with their own activities. On camping trips kids have plenty of time to both interact with those who they are hiking or canoeing with or they can be alone in their own mind. So I'd invite the author to look beyond the statistical research and expert quotes and go visit some camps and see what really happens at camp.

Yea for free tiem!!

A lot of assumptions in the article, matched by a lot of assumptions by the commenters. My kids can't just go to the park and play pick-up baseball. Why? Because all the kids who play baseball are out there playing competitively. Even assuming they could find anyone who isn't in a summer class, going to indoctrination camp or VBS, they can't get on the field because of the adult leagues.

Too much free time is dangerous if you haven't given the kids guidelines and a basic understanding of personal safety. Just like anything else, you can't just suddenly give kids who've never had it a bunch of free time and expect wonderful things.

Are you kidding me? Too much downtime is not a good thing--this is how kids get into trouble, which studies have proven. I agree with one poster--the decline in enrollment is because of our horrendous economy not because of all of a sudden Mommy and Daddy have this urge to make mud pies. If I were out of work, I would still try and manage to send my child to campe at least 2 days a week. They get bored very easily, and with camp, yes, there are adults that manage their time, but it is time extraordinarily well spent with swimming lessons, baseball, basketball, arts and crafts. They meet up with old friends and make new ones and they're tired at the end of the day; it's exhaustion from playing not from boredom. These kids mentioned in the article will not be making "mud pies." Yes, perhaps if they're toddlers, they will be but if I asked my 8-year-old son if he wanted to go out in the yard and make mud pies, he'd look at me like I was crazy. There's plenty of downtime in the summer; many camps have variable schedules, and you can do full or part time. When kids get older, at that pre-tween age, it is a hard thing to keep them occupied and off the computer and away from the TV. Camp does this and we do not shirk our parental responsibilities when we send our children to camp.

You have got to be kidding me! Camp is bad? No, on the contrary, having too much unstructured free time is not a good thing. I'm no expert, but I am a parent of a very physical, active, healthy 8-year-old boy, who is your typical boy, always with a ball in his hand ready for anything.

My son is 16, when he was younger the parents were wondering why the kids never had pick up ball games. I'll tell you. They were never allowed to "roam around free" at earlier ages and never were at these games when older brothers/sisters or neighbors had these games. When they were allowed to roam, they never thought to organize them. They (the kids) were allways being organized by others. One time a mom called the other parents to organize a pick up game, no it did not work, but bless her soul. Camps are usefull to the scocialization of kids, so is free time. Cloistering is a bad idea but what are you going to do if you live in the city or a bad neighborhood? We need to teach our kids to play by showing them how to play by doing it ourselves.

Record Unemployment in the U.S. may have something to do with the reduced number of kids in Summer camp ferchrissake.

The huge leap of logic in this is the idea that people keeping thier kids home this summer will be returning them to mud puddles and free play. Most parents don't trust the outdoors enough to send the kids out alone, and don't like the heat... so that means lots of TV and video gane time and at best board games with mom. I garuntee you kids have a lot more unstructured *outdoor* playtime at camp than they do at home with most parents. The quoted experts are making a lot of assumptions.

My kids are indeed in camp this summer because my wife and I work. That said, they are much better off than they would be at home. All of their friends are there. There is swimming, trips every week, and of course, the fashionable and trendy buzzword of the year "free play." And, there is some educational component, where the lessons of the school year will be gently reinforced. Are parents who opt out of camp really going to take their kids and their kids friends on a field trip every week to museums and exhibits and other interesting locales? Are they going to have their kids friends over everyday for lunch so they can socialize? Are they going to do science experiments or reading lessons so their kids will be ready in September for the next grade, and not have to waste a month on reminder lessons? The problem is not camps. The problem is child psychologists who love to make their job easier by putting labels on everything, including the children, in an attempt to make diagnosing more black and white. Here's the one eternal fact: kids are resilient and wonderful and know a lot more than we think they know. They'll grow into whoever they're supposed to be as long as they are loved and gently guided. The rest is just people selling books.