I dropped my youngest son off at camp last Sunday.
He went 3 years ago to a 10 day "introductory session", but after that the only option is 28 days. 28 days!!! Without my kid!!! He has begged me to go the past 2 summers, but I thought it was just too long of a time. But now he is 13, and I am crazy busy, and he was going to be spending a lot of time alone at home, so I agreed.
When I was 13, a friend of mine hosted a "Camp Night" in the dead of winter. This is where a local camper has their friends over and the Camp brings a slide show, brochures, snacks, etc., in order to recruit new campers. I was so enamored by the slide show, the lake, the blob, the sports, the boats. I never knew people did things like this! I wanted to go to this camp more than anything. I took home the brochures. I begged my parents. One of the things I learned as a child was not to express my emotions or get my hopes up about anything (my nickname was Spock until I was 18), but I REALLY wanted to go this camp. My parents were divorced and we always struggled for money. One time we found a $20 bill on the porch of our apartment and we were so excited! We went to the local drug store to buy shampoo, toothpaste, etc. and the money was gone. Just like that. Spending the summer at this camp was not in the cards. I was so disappointed. It was one of the last times of my childhood that I remember letting myself feel that disappointed and let down.
I spent the summer of 1979 pulling a mower behind my bike cutting grass in the neighborhood, washing windows and cleaning my mom's office to be able to buy my own clothes. Ralph Lauren Polo and Izod were the brands I saved up for!
By the next summer (age 14), I was doing all this and working at Bonanza making chicken fried steak gravy and cutting the coleslaw for the salad bar. The next summer (age 15), I graduated to painting and also worked 20 hours a week at the medical center delivering trays to patients which I did during the school year too. The next summer (age 16), I worked the medical center job, cut grass, had my cleaning and painting company (B & Associates) AND worked the graveyard shift as a waitress at a pancake house. The next summer (age 17), I had my cleaning, grass cutting and painting business and actually hired 2 of my friends (finally some Associates!) to work for me, along with my work at the hospital. The next summer (age 18), I was living with my 30 year old boyfriend and was addicted to heroin. (Not to paint too dreary of a picture- I did get to go to a sleepover basketball camp and volleyball camp during 2 of those summers and had a great time.)
So far I have received 3 letters! They have to write 2 a week, so I got a bonus letter. Each day, I open my mailbox and am so excited when I see his handwriting. He is so sweet. 
Dear Mom,
I miss you sooooooo much but I am having a blast! How is Obie? I miss him too. I am lying in my bunk and it is rest period. I wish you were here. I looooooooooove you!
Love, B
Rub Obie's tummy for me, okay?
This is Obie.
I look back on my summers of working and I am grateful for the character that I developed, the work ethic, the sense of responsibility. I learned how to support myself, how to hustle, how to manage money. These are all things I do today. Life is hard. Character is critical. But character can be built on many paths. I am grateful that my son is building character in a different way this summer. Being away from home, learning to live with and interact with different people, developing and mastering skills, challenging himself to learn new things and pushing himself physically, emotionally and mentally, will serve him well in life.
There was a sign as I was leaving camp that said, "Sailing is courage." That is pretty cool. As a parent, all I want is for my children to be at peace and comfortable with who they are.
I think he is already there.
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Comments
I spent many summers at "Camp Sasakwa" in Oklahoma. The camp was great, but the drive was even better. To get there, we had to drive over an incredible bridge over the Canadian River (this one's for you General JK). The bridge was very long and old. I loved it.
Needless to say, she never went back to camp.
Obie is a cutie. Is he a labradoodle? He looks similar to my dog.
Boomer: Thanks for stopping by.
MAWB: That made me laugh out loud! Very funny.
Lisa: Obie is half wheaten terrier (they do not shed) and half something else (the most shedding dog in the world). I am off to read your kid camp post.
dorelvis: I would love for him to be a counselor in a few years.
Grif: Thanks for seeing that part of it. You think the dog's foot is cute? :-)
@mawb: hilarious!
Theo: You are always say such sweet things to me. You are special person.
mamoore: I am off to read your post. Thanks for stopping by.