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Did you go to camp?
Did you go to camp as a kid? What was your experience like?
Honestly, it wasn’t my favorite thing, but it gave my parents a break. Overall, I appreciate the experience.
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6 Replies
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Haven’t thought about camp in ages. I went to 2 separate camps: MDA camp & Easter Seal, in total 3 weeks every summer. (Unless we had an operation scheduled)
The first few days were the hardest. Terribly homesick, didn’t want to admit how affected I was without my familiar safety nets. Took about 3 days before I could relax enough to enjoy it. Looking back I can see how important it was to develop self confidence, to know that I could navigate some things without my family.
@deann-r, funny you mention that. I assumed the same thing for years only to learn that’s not how they experienced it at all. Turns out they were freaking out the entire time, worried I wasn’t being cared for properly
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I attended a couple different camps as well. Did you notice a difference between them? The two I tried were Camp Courage and MDA Camp. Camp Courage seemed to have a little more experience but then again it can be more fun seeing what you can get away with when they don’t.
It was definitely an eye opener having someone else do your cares. Yeah after a few days it was like okay I’ll survive. I remember falling asleep in the car on the way home so they tired us out for sure. Did you have a favorite activity? Remember any campfire songs?
My parents were nervous too I’m sure, but they didn’t show it. Probably mutually beneficial. They learned they can trust someone else as did we. What would you say to parents debating sending their kids?
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My second foster parents took me to a disability camp when I was 4 or 5 years old. It’s one of the only good memories from my childhood. I finally learned what it felt like to be safe and well cared for while also having fun
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I’m glad it was a positive experience. Do you remember a favorite camp activity? I think we tie-dyed shoes but I don’t remember what happened to them.
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My favorite was going on the boat. Or Smores. 😄😄
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There were a few big differences:
MDA was 1 week while ES was 2 weeks
MDA was at baseball training grounds so motel-ish while ES was at a campground with cabins
MDA offered 1 counselor for each camper, ES had 3 for 6 kids in each cabin
They had different activities, ES being more traditional camp with archery, making fires, hiking trails, everything tailored to each kids’s abilities. I especially enjoyed making fires, archery and crafting.
Send your kid to camp. Absolutely. Every chance you get.
It’s a big world and having a disability doesn’t exempt anyone from normal human experiences. These camps show kids they’re more capable than they believe. The only way for kids to learn what they can do is to try. Even more important is to try in a new environment without familiar safety nets.
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