In today’s parenting landscape, concepts like free-range and slow parenting are making waves. With more parents embracing a laid-back approach to childhood, it’s easy to start questioning our own choices and wonder if we are doing too much for our kids.
Last summer, I penned a light-hearted article about sending my son off to sleepaway camp for seven weeks. The intent was to share my humorous, albeit neurotic, feelings about his first extended separation from home. While some readers found it relatable, others were less than supportive. I was taken aback by the judgmental comments from some parents: “That’s absurd!” “You’ll never get this time back!” “How could you send him away for two months?” “Summer is meant for family time!” It felt as if they assumed I was simply looking for a break. The truth is, the decision to send him to camp was not made lightly; it involved considerable thought and financial commitment.
Both my husband and I work full time. I appreciate suggestions like “spending mornings doing chores followed by beach outings,” but realistically, I can only enforce that during my limited vacation week in the summer. Could I have left my job, homeschooled my kids, and given them a summer filled with unsupervised play? Absolutely, but I chose not to. So back off.
My son thrives on activity—he needs to be engaged, playing catch or running around constantly. Free time doesn’t suit him. Sure, I could have enrolled him in weekly sports camps for the whole summer, but that would have involved a lot of effort on my part.
He needed to develop independence. Learning to interact with peers, making decisions without me hovering, and figuring things out on his own was vital. Alternative methods for fostering independence exist, but I opted for camp.
Living in a bustling city limits his opportunities to connect with nature. He can’t just wander into the woods or lie in an open field gazing at the stars. While I could have taken him camping on weekends, I’m not exactly a fan of the outdoors (thanks to movies like The Blair Witch Project).
Moreover, my son needed a break from screens. At camp, he was free from phones, tablets, and TVs for two months. Sure, I could have imposed a no-tech rule at home, but that wasn’t the path I took.
Ultimately, this decision centered around my son’s needs. Each child is unique, and every family dynamic is different. Like any parent, I strive to make choices in the best interest of my child. For us, a structured, prolonged absence from home was the right fit, and it paid off—he had a fantastic summer.
He swam daily in a lake and camped in teepees. When he first arrived, he was shy and hesitant, focused mainly on baseball. By the end, photos showed him joyfully playing muddy soccer in the rain, celebrating victories with friends, and even painting his face for color war. He gained resilience, confidence, and self-sufficiency. He learned how to engage with new kids and organize games on his own. Camp provided him with safe freedom to grow.
Every family navigates their own challenges based on finances, work schedules, and children’s personalities. It’s time we stop critiquing different parenting styles and acknowledge that just as every child is distinct, so too are the choices we make for their summers. For us, that choice is sleepaway camp, and he’ll be returning this year.
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In summary, sending my son to sleepaway camp was a decision made with careful consideration of his needs for independence, activity, and nature. It’s an experience that has fostered his growth and development, proving that different paths can lead to enriching summer experiences.