Do we really need summer camps?

[Chadamus]

I can tell you who needs summer camps: mom and dad.

 

The summer after my son joined his Troop, he went out of council to Camp Rainey Mountain in NE Georgia. Two hours away. For a week. It was the first time in 10 years he was away from my wife and I for that length of time. He was hesitant, wife was terrified, but in the end it was a win-win. He benefited from the empowerment. We learned to let go.

 

There are multiple ways for parents to go through the inevitable initial lengthy separation from their child, but IMO summer camp is a great option. The boy that comes back can be noticeably different from the one that left. (Ideally for the better!)