In praise of summer camp

Did you attend summer day camp as a kid? I did at Seashore Day Camp in Long Branch, New Jersey. I’m in good company since according to their website, over 40,000 Jersey kids – and generations of families - have attended the camp since the 1920s.

Yes, I vividly remember Seashore Day Camp from the delicious all-you-can-eat lunches of PB&J and tuna fish sandwiches, to being so petrified of jumping off the high dive that I climbed down the ladder in full view of the entire camp. Occasionally, the camp counselors would pile us seven-year-olds into their cars and take us to The Palace, an indoor fun house or to the Asbury Park boardwalk to ride the teacups and rocket ships. It was the ‘70s and the Asbury Park Springsteen sings about in “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” was still going strong, full of carnival magic and salt water taffy sweetness.

Today, summer camp isn’t a place for moms to park the kids so they can play bridge with the girls all day long. (Actually, my mom was home with my baby sister wishing she could be with friends, I’m sure.) Instead, it’s a modern day necessity now that both parents work in most families. These days calling it camp is a misnomer. It’s actually summer child care on a grand scale with a lot more kids, countless bins of craft supplies, swimming and dirt.

This year, I enrolled Nathan and Lucie at YMCA camp, which is held in a local elementary school across the way from our rec center. Now that I’m working fulltime at home, I didn’t want a repeat of last summer’s wear and tear on the house and my nerves. It was a big decision though, since summer camp is pricey at $360 per week for both kids. (I’m sure the LA, SF, NY, NJ and DC moms think that’s a bargain.) Still, it’s cheaper than what the local in-home daycares charge, and it includes hot lunch, a snack, swimming twice a week and field trips twice a month. Also, it’s truly full day camp since kids can be there from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., though that rarely happens with us since Nathan has baseball most afternoons and Lucie likes to sleep in. Nathan would be there at 6:30 a.m. if I let him. Early to bed and early to rise, that one.

The camp counselors are a bunch of well-trained, energetic young men and women who lead cheers, play games and do crafts all day long when they’re not calmly herding the kids into the bathroom during the two tornado warnings we already had this month. Plus, they’re much more fun than a grumpy mom who screams, “GUYS BE QUIET, I’M WORKING!” 15 times a day.

During registration, I was slightly concerned that Nathan and Lucie wouldn’t like camp. Their father hated his time at sleep away camp, and the apple doesn’t fall from the paternal tree at our house. Not to worry. On the first day, Lucie wouldn’t leave and cried for her counselor Amanda as I carried her out the door. Nathan spends his days palling around with three buddies from school plotting sleepover escapades when they’re not playing dodge ball. It’s an adventure for them, too, from the hot lunches the school district serves (what is that mystery vegetable?) to playing slip and slide with shaving cream. No way would my husband allow such shenanigans on his pristine lawn, and my lunches are much less interesting.

At the end of the day, they’re happy, dirty and exhausted, full of funny stories and silly camp songs. After a full day of writing until my eyes burn, I’m pooped but content, too. Three cheers for summer camp – we love it!

Original Rocky Mountain Moms Blog post. Anne-Marie also blogs at A Mama’s Rant, My Readable Feast, The Write Spot, This Mama Cooks! On a Diet, This Mama Cooks! Reviews and for Mom Central Blogger University, Mom Central Food, Mom Central Goes Green, and Mom Central Technology. Yes, she’s incredibly busy, which is another reason she’s thankful for summer camp.