Camp or over-priced child care?

My kids have attended many camps over the years and I think what separates a good camp and a not so desirable camp is in the way the children are treated, besides what is offered in the curriculum.  It’s so disappointing as a parent to find out at the end of a long week that none of the girls in your child’s group had a good time because they had a mean leader.   Don’t they pre-screen these people?  Is “must love kids” not a prerequisite?

I hope the girls who attended Real U camp felt that they were all welcome and genuinely liked by my co-leader and myself.  It was our very intent that the girls have a great time, while feeling not only noticed, but honoured for who they are.

Being yourself and celebrating who you and others are is so important for the well-being of our souls, and I think all kids camps should have celebration of kids and youth at their core.

My younger daughter just attended a camp at Woodstock coop dance where she had a great time, made new friends, while learning and being fit.  Her leader Kendra was happy to be there and the camp was engaging and fun.

I was disappointed to hear that after having spent a great week a camp Real U, my older daughter spent a week at an art camp where they spent 3 hours a day making jewelry in silence.  What’s a kids camp without the sound of children’s voices, their laughter?  To me, it’s over priced childcare.  The highlight if her week was when she told the camp counsellor she was feeling sick and was allowed to sit in the lobby on a comfortable couch and sip apple cinnamon tea all the while enjoying the spoils of free wifi.  She handled the week of silence no problem, but surely a camp for kids should be more engaging than that?

Lets hope that our kids, grand kids, neighbours and friends enjoy every minute of the rest of this summer.  May all camps for kids and youth be filled will great inspiring leaders.

Peace from the Pinery,

Christina