By now you have probably been inundated with advertisements for your son to go to summer camp. Let me tell you about summer camp. Although you might have to drag him kicking and screaming to camp, it is the best experience for him. The economy in this day and age doesn’t exactly allow us to throw money to camps but if you have it, if you can plan for it, it’s great.

There are so many different types of camps out there for you to choose. There are sports camps that spend their time with drilling techniques for their particular sport to improve his game. There are Cub Scout day camps where your son will go during the day time for a week. There are Boy Scout camps that your son will go with his leader and other boys for a week of camping, skill building, education and fun. There are church camps where children will learn team building and crafts and just have fun. These are just a sampling of what is out there.

Many parents feel guilty about sending their sons to camp because in their mind they are thinking they are “getting rid of him” for a week for some peace and quiet. There is absolutely no need to feel that way. It is a great way for your son to learn responsibility, independence, social skills, problem solving, and have a great time in the middle of it all.

Homesickness is always a concern. And sure, he will probably cry or give it that brave face when you drop him off at camp. Most likely it will be you with the tears. Please save the tears for the ride home and don’t let him see a single one of them! He will be assigned a cabin or a tent. He will make new friends within 15 minutes of his arrival. There will be camp counselors to make sure he is happy and safe. They are trained for this and problems that can arise. He will settle in, check out what his cabin mates brought with them, they will check out his stuff. And the friendship begins.

If your son has a bedwetting problem, this shouldn’t keep him at home. I am sure by now you have purchased the new type of underwear that is made specifically for this problem. Let the counselors know so that they can afford him the privacy that he needs. If your son takes medicines, it is important to let the staff and medical staff know this so that he can get his dose of medicine when he needs it. Usually inhalers are left with the child as they know when they need it and how much they can take per day. I know you may have concerns if your son is diagnosed with ADHD and maybe doesn’t have such a good track record in school. In school they are sitting for six and a half hours. At camp, you aren’t sitting and when you are sitting you are usually doing something creative. Camp could be the best thing for him! If he usually is on medication for ADHD or ADD and you give it to him just for school and the summer time you give him a medication holiday, please inform the staff about that as well. They will make sure he is kept busy.

I get my experience from camping from taking Boy Scouts to summer camp for years. We will discuss later what to bring, what not to bring, and what to expect emotionally from your son in days leading up to his departure and what to expect while he is there. My personal experience with watching boys that learn, run, play, swim, all day that by time you get to dinner and have your after dinner activity, they ask to go to bed. It’s amazing what fresh air will do to a young boy.

I do not know of any specific summer camps to recommend except for Boy Scout Summer Camp, so I will not mention any specifically. Check out your local area phone books, the net, and your friends for a summer camp in your area.
After the homesickness goes away, he will be amazed how fast the week has flown by and ask if he can go again next year!
Be Blessed