It’s June 3rd. Time to pack up my duffles, head to the airport, and board the plane. Alone. 6 weeks away from home and I couldn’t wait to go. Each summer it’s typical to send jewish kids to sleep-away-camp. I began my summer camp journeys going into third grade. Can you imagine getting sent off to a new place at 8 years old? If you asked me that question on my first trip to camp I would say “No”. Now, 7 years later, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
Although it seems scary, summer camps give kids room to grow, learn independence, and find themselves. At my camp for example, I learned how to pack myself for trips, make my bed, and pick out my own clothes. “Being away from their parents for an extended period of time all qualify as big self-esteem boosters.” said Russ Paton, program director and manager of Silver Lake Forest Education Society. Kids enjoy this freedom and change in atmosphere allowing them to discover their own interests and opinions.
With the many advantages to overnight camps there are also some drawbacks. Getting homesick is a common occurrence in kids who are far from home for long periods of time. Some camps do not allow electronic communication to the outside world and this can make kids feel isolated and even alone at times. While being blocked away from the outside world sounds discouraging, this break from technology, news, and social media scandals can be healthy overall. Personally, I enjoy not feeling the need to check Snapchat or Instagram every night before bed.
When kids get sick so far away from home their longing for home only escalates. At these camps germs can spread quicker and on a larger scale. Daily Local News writer said overnight camps are prone to illness and when kids are infected they can get irritable and more homesick.
Coming from a 6 year camper the cons never outweigh the unforgettable experiences like camping, song nights, and color wars. If not for my parents shipping me off all those years ago I would not have grown to be the person I am today and I would not have made memories that will last a lifetime.
