Tuesday, July 10



Summer Camp.......


All three of my children attended a summer camp in Virginia when they were young, and now my grandchildren are going to the very same camp. How wonderful is that?

On Sunday, my daughter and her brother drove to the camp to deposit three of her kids there for two weeks. The older boy attended last summer - didn't want to leave then and couldn't wait to return. I think that speaks well of it, don't you? He is now joined by his sister and brother, and next year when his youngest cousin reaches the age of ten, there will be two more to join them. I pity the seven year old because she has to wait three years to reach the age limit.

My children have such fond memories of the camp, even though they found lots to complain about back then. The food was horrible. The cabins too rustic. Too many spiders. Dampness creeping into the sleeping bags. The smelly latrines. Ick. Not seeing mom and dad for two whole weeks. Not enough care packages or letters. But even with all those bad conditions, they find it necessary to subject their own kids to the same place. LOL

My son says driving down the road to the camp is like entering a time warp. A few of the same people are still there - as counselors or administrators, who were there as campers or counselors in the 70's. There have been a few improvements, of course, but it remains essentially the same as it was back then. One might expect a lot of changes over the years, but I think it is comforting to know that it is the same place. A tree house was built in the 70's. My son was instrumental in getting that started. I hear it fell down in the late 90's, but for many years it was a part of the camp that many kids looked forward to visiting, especially the boys. They have a campfire every night, and they all sit around it and sing and tell stories.

They grow a lot of the foods that are prepared for the campers, and the menus are healthy, no junk foods allowed. The children seem to carp about that for 2-3 days, but by the end of the 2 weeks they don't mind. One thing I noticed both in my children and in my grandson, is that at the end of the second week, they are different kids. They are calm, serene, and active but somehow quieter. They seem to focus on what is important in life - our relationships with each other - and forget about their video games and TV. Too bad we can't seem to foster those feelings on a year-round basis!

Some things never change. As my daughter was preparing to leave after making sure the children were settled in, she and the younger boy walked across the "big meadow" by the mess hall. He said, in a very loud voice....."Mom, my counselor is weird!" The meadow has a wicked echo, so everyone within 1/4 mile probably heard him. She told him to hush (and why) and his eyes got big as saucers. He asked "What if he heard me?" Poor baby, I am sure he isn't the first camp counselor who has been told he is weird!

If you are interested in a summer camp for your children, check it out here.














































































15 comments:

Megan said...

The more things change, the more they stay the same, no?

Here from Michele's today. Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Pat said...

They sound a great idea. I wish we had them here. I suppose the nearest thing is scout camp.

utenzi said...

I can just hear the conversation in my head, Judy:

"I don't want to go to camp, Mom. I hate camp! Why can't I stay home?"

"When you're a parent you'll understand..."

And now that they're parents, they do understand!

Moon said...

I always wanted to go to a summer camp..never did. I bet they will all have an awesome time!!

Jamie Dawn said...

It's great that they are attending the same camp as their parents. It gives them a common connection, a place to make summer memories. I hope your grandkids have a wonderful two weeks!!

About your previous post. I heard that 7-7-07 was a popular date for weddings, and I also heard that 8-8-08 is already being booked for weddings and other events.

Shephard said...

I'm intrigued that it's the ARE camp. Very interesting indeed. If ever I wanted to go to a camp, that one might have been a choice. :) After Theatre Camp, of course.

~S

rosemary said...

my youngest did the camp thing once on Catalina Island. he refused to ever go back. Maybe it's a coastal thing. Your 7-7-07 wedding was lovely as usual. The light colors are so refreshing.

bluemountainmama said...

sounds classic.... i loved the summer camps i attended growing up. an essential childhood experience in my book!

Anna said...

I cant wait for my kids to go to camp again next year Judy. There are somethings that should never change and I think that expereince is one of them! Hope you are well there and having a good week!

Paul Nichols said...

I went to camp several times when I was a kid. There was this one girl...

Now I want to go to one of those Fantasy Baseball Camps. And My First Wife want to go on a Wagon Train ride across Western Kansas. The counselors are not so weird at either one.

Kristi said...

Sounds like a wonderful experience for both your kids and grandkids. I've never been to camp, but always wanted to. It seems to be about celebrating the simpler things in life, and that's something every child should be exposed to.

Beverly said...

Going to camp during the summer was a definite plus for me. My life was changed during the summers spent there, both as a camper and then a worker.

Kay Dennison said...

We sent the DSynamic Duo to camp every summer and they loved it. Our went to Y Camp and Kate to Girl Scout Camp -- both loved it! I always noticed subtle changes in them when they came home and it was good for them. It was good for me, too! lol

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I tyhink it is WONDERFUL that THAT Camp is still going....! 'Back In The Day'....we went to camp for the whole entire summer....And I was sent to campo at Four years old! TOO YOUNG! So I was interwested in the A.R.E. Camps rules about a minimum age being Ten...I think that is very very smart. Quite honestly, I feel that "sleep away" camp for the whole summer, at four years old, marked me for life!! LOL! But, seriosly, I am not kidding.

Cris said...

My kids are attending vbs, then next week they have a summer camp, but I think as a first time they will only stay half the week, not sure...