Q Our youngest daughter is a wonderful kid, however, she is not very outgoing and would prefer to stay at home reading a book rather than socializing with peers. For the past five summers, she has attended sleep-away camp. Each of these years she has protested going to camp, but has always come back nothing that she had fun.
This summer, our daughter would be grouped in the camp’s teenage division, a one year program that is separate from the camp where she has grown accustomed. This specialized program is known for its extra activities, late nights, and multitude of trips. It is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience and yet again our daughter has reiterated disinterest in attendance. Alternatively, our daughter has voiced a desire to work the entire summer, something she exceedingly enjoyed last year for just one month. We are old-school parents and all of our children have enjoyed their sleep-away camp experience. We would love to send our daughter to summer camp, in tow with how we have raised out other children.
Should we allow our daughter not to attend camp this summer and instead work a full summer, or should we send her to camp against her desire?
A Thank you for your inquiry. Based on those we have asked knowledgeable in this arena, it is our advise that your daughter should remain home, work, and read the myriad of books that she enjoys. If she becomes bored, primarily a struggle in the evenings, she will desire to attend camp next summer. But, most importantly, never push.
Camp is designed for children to enjoy themselves, not for adults to be free of their children all summer long. Do we have to fit all our children into the same mold? Parents of my generation did not always send their kids to sleep-away camp. Children spent their summers at home and bonded with their parents. What is wrong with a child relaxing during the summer? Keep in mind, our children spend hours studying and socializing at school, and then come home only to spend hours engrossed in completing their homework; don’t they deserve to choose how to spend their summer off time. Hey, you might get lucky and your daughter may opt to attend camp for the second half of the summer if her work detail or quiet evenings took a toll on her mindset. When you stated, “Our youngest daughter is a great kid,” we suggest that you allow her continue to be great!
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, safe, and enjoyable summer vacation.
Adapted in part from Chinuch With Heart by Rabbi Yaakov Bender (Artscroll).
EDUCATOR’S CORNER: Forcing A Child To Attend Summer Camp
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