Our first grader and second grader just got back from a 3 night camp experience at Trout Lake Camp which is owned and operated by our denomination. They had a good time and want to go back next summer for a whole week. A few things that surprised me about this new adventure...
1. No one prepared me for the post-camp meltdown. Almost immediately after camp concluded the meltdowns began. For one kid it was a major tantrum stemming from extreme fatigue and several days of working hard to control emotions like a 'big girl.' For our other kid it was total intolerance and frustration with his sister's tantrum. Fortunately this all passed pretty quickly.
2. I didn't cry when we dropped them off, although I was a little nervous. I didn't cry when they were gone, although I did frequently think about them. But when the entire group of campers came running and screaming into the closing program on the last day, I cried.
3. I saw lots of older kids from our church. Those kids were there for the whole week, so they still had a few days left wen I saw them. I told several of them that I'd tell their moms that I saw them. I asked if they had any messages for me to deliver. None of them did! But when I called the moms with my report they were all delighted to hear that all was well with their kids at camp.
4. Camp bathrooms are scary to kids? My seven year old daughter informed me that she only used the bathroom ONCE the whole time she was at camp. (Sunday at 5 until Wednesday at 10.) Oh my...
Lots to think about now. What can the local church do to capitalize on a kid's camp experience? Next year I will make an effort to send letters or e-mails to the kids from our church. It would be great if the kids pastor would even visit camp for lunch one day. Just knowing the camp's theme and some of the favorite songs could be a useful way to reach our kids when they get back home. I also would like to find out what kinds of spiritual decisions and commitments were made by our kids.
