Why I'm Not Sending My Kids to Summer Camp (2024)

Summer is almost here. You can practically smell the suntan lotion and bug spray. The kids will soon be home from school. They'll be around 24/7. We all know they can strike a nerve or two or 50. So why not send them to summer camp?

Although I hate to answer a question with a question...why do I have to send them to summer camp?

When this time of year rolls around, people look at me like I have three heads because I choose not to send my kids to any type of summer camp. Translation...they are with me a lot. You could say they are my most-used summer accessory.

Call me crazy, but since I am blessed enough to be a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer without a 9-5 job, I don't really find summer camp a necessity right now. Why spend extra money for someone else to play with my kids when I can just do it myself and have some fun too?

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Don't get me wrong, I think camps are a great resource and essential when you have both parents who are working all day long. Camps give the kids a chance to play outside, go places, and meet new friends. I know some SAHMs who send their kids to half-day camps just to get them out of the house and break up the summer a bit. Since that's all fine and dandy for them to send their kids to camp, why is it odd for me not to send mine?

It may sound nuts, but I actually don't mind when my kids are home...even during the summer 24/7. I like being able to go outside and play, take them to the beach, and just let them be kids.

Before you think everything is rainbows and unicorns at my house, there are plenty of times when I bark at my kids over the summer because they've just plain old gotten on my nerves. Haven't we all? There are summer nights when they go to bed early because mommy needs a break or mommy needs to get a lot of work done. It just goes along with the territory. I'm no Mom-angel.

But, there are also plenty of times when we've hung out at the beach with friends, splashed at the pool, and stayed outside eating those ice pops that leave your mouth different colors. We honestly enjoy our summer...together. We're making great memories. I know these days are numbered. Soon enough the thought of them hanging out with their mom at the beach all day will be anything but entertaining. So I'm soaking it in now.

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I'm sure there will come a day when my kids will need to go to camp for one reason or another and that's fine. That time is not now. Until then, please don't look at me like an alien for not wanting to send my kids to camp. For now, it's Camp Mom 24/7 and I'm okay with that.

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Why I'm Not Sending My Kids to Summer Camp (2024)

FAQs

Why do you think parents send their children to summer camp? ›

Summer Camps Help Develop New Friendships

This is a great opportunity for children to make new friends that they otherwise would have never had. This opportunity connects children to new friends that may not go to their direct school or extracurricular activities.

How do I convince my child to go to summer camp? ›

How to Get Your Kids Excited About Going to Summer Camp
  1. Tell them it's OK to be nervous!
  2. Prepare and Plan Ahead:
  3. Ask them what they're looking forward to at camp: Ask your child to share what they're excited about, and work together to create a brief list of their camp goals.
May 7, 2021

What to do when your child doesn't want to go to camp? ›

Before signing up for any camp or an away-from-home activity, talk to your child about it. It's a good idea to let your child have some say in decision making, if he flat-out doesn't want to go to camp, don't force him. you might also consider giving him a choice-day camp as opposed to sleepaway, for example.

What are the weakness of summer camp? ›

Cons of Summer Camp

Can be expensive, especially for overnight camps. May not provide academic enrichment or help children improve their academic skills. May not be suitable for children who are not comfortable with being away from home.

Are summer camps good for children? ›

Experience success and become more confident – Camp helps children build self-confidence and self-esteem by removing the kind of academic, athletic and social competition that shapes their lives at school.

What do parents look for in a summer camp? ›

What do parents look for in a summer camp? Parents look for a variety of activities when choosing summer camps, so their children can explore and pick up new skills and interests. From arts and crafts to archery, sailing, and wilderness exploration, the possibilities are endless!

What is the best age to send kids to summer camp? ›

In general, most children are ready to attend a sleep-away camp or day camp between the ages of seven and ten. However, every child is different, and parents should take into consideration their child's personality, maturity level, and social skills before deciding whether or not to send them to summer camp.

What is the best age to send kids to camp? ›

The average age for a first trip to overnight camp is between 7 and 9 years old, Smith said, but it really depends on the child. A mature 6-year-old might be ready to go, while an immature 10-year-old might not be able to handle it.

What age do kids go to summer camp in USA? ›

Children aged 5 and under may be ready to attend a day-only summer camp, without overnight activities. They will likely do better with summer camps that incorporate the parents into the camp as well. If your child is between the ages of 6-8, they are in the typical age range.

Why do kids get homesick at camp? ›

For example, children with little previous experience away from home, children who have low expectations of camp, children who feel forced to go to camp, children who are unsure whether adults will help them if they need help, children who have little practice coping with negative emotions, and children whose parents ...

Why is it important to encourage children to go to a camp? ›

Spending time with people you enjoy being around will make for memories that last for a lifetime. Camp also helps children develop social skills, teamwork and leadership. Free from the social expectations pressuring them at school, camp encourages kids to relax and make friends easily.

When your child is homesick at camp? ›

Try to be reassuring first. Don't offer material objects in exchange for staying at camp. Also, don't promise that you'll come for your child if they are feeling homesick. Instead, help make a plan for what to do if this happens, such as who they can talk to or how to send letters.

What are the pros and cons of sending kids to summer camp? ›

The benefits are they learn how to be apart of a team,they make friends,they learn about safety, learn to live away from home. The drawback is the potential of abuse if it's a away camp and not a daycare.

Why is it important to go to summer camp? ›

Summer camp is more than a babysitting service while school is out. Camp teaches children many life skills in a fun and safe environment, enables to them try new things, make new friends, and succeed in ways they may not have thought possible.

What makes a summer camp successful? ›

To run a successful summer camp, it's crucial to keep the activities fun and interactive for your campers. Engaging activities not only capture their interest but also enhance their overall experience.

Why do people go to summer camp? ›

Camp is one of the few places where you can truly be yourself. One of the reasons why camp is a great place to go to is because it is fun and it allows you to discover new talents, friends and much more. You have the possibility of participating in sports you've always wanted to try out but never go the chance.

Why do you think camp is important for children to experience? ›

Through the camp experience, young people learn to understand the strength of mankind. They also develop an appreciation for the qualities required to protect the fragile relationships needed to protect these relationships. ACA values the natural world. We seek and appreciate what is real, genuine, and nonartificial.

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