Yep. My oldest went last year, and my two oldest are going this year. I left the camp leaders every phone number and e-mail contact for everyone in my family in case they needed to contact me, and I had white nuckles on my cell phone all week, but it was worth it. He had so much fun there, he still talks about it. I am looking forward to the year all four of my kids are old enough to go on the same week!! By that time I will SO need the week long break just dh and I.. Maybe we will go to Mexico or something that week.. :)

3gifts.from.god Feb. 12, 2009 at 3:48 PM

My 10 year old daughter went for the first time last summer. It was her dad's idea. I tried to talk her out of it. I couldn't see how spending a week camping with strangers could possibly be fun. I was a nervous wreck for the whole week.  She, however, had an amazing time. She said she made friends in the first five minutes she was there. She really enjoyed it and is looking forward to this summer. I guess every kid is different but my daughter loved it.

sarahbeth7603 Feb. 12, 2009 at 6:06 PM

My daughter will be eight by the time the school year ends, and I'll be sending her to a short, four-day overnight Girl Scout Camp program. I think she's ready (not sure I am), but I loved summer camp as a kid and she's gone to Girl Scout Day Camp the past two summers and LOVED it. Also, my daughter is way more independent than I was as a kid, very social... I think the time is right for her. If she likes it, we'll do a 6-day progam next summer and go from there. She's really jazzed about trying canoeing (I thought she'd pick the horseback riding camp, so was surprised at her enthusiasm for canoeing!)

vesta_moonbeam Feb. 12, 2009 at 6:13 PM

My 7 (soon to be 8) year old son will be doing a sleep away Lacrosse camp this summer. He went last year for their day camp but now wants to stay for the whole week. Luckily for me it's 30 minutes from our house!! I really thought he wouldn't want to stay this year but he says he does, and wants the extra practice! I think it's more along the lines of extra swim time (they have a pool with a diving board(unheard of around here!!)) rather than the third practice of the day ( they a 3 2 hour practices a day) 

brneyedgrl_78 Feb. 12, 2009 at 8:50 PM

I doubt my kids will ever go to camp.  We just can't afford stuff like that.  And I really don't see my oldest ever wanting to.  She will be 9 is so timid she is afraid to even talk to her teacher.  Plus she prefers to spend her summer's at her best friend's house.  They are inseperable.  My dd even goes on family vacations with them (she's known them since she was born so they are like family).

justanotherjen Feb. 12, 2009 at 9:24 PM

My daughter has been to a sleepaway camp since she was 5. She didn't go last year though, and she says she doesn't want to go this year. It's alright though. I might just send her to my mom's again since all her cousins are there. My son on the other hand (6), is NOT ready for a sleepaway camp at all.

melittler Feb. 13, 2009 at 6:53 AM

If my 10 yr old wanted to go, then fine. I would never make her because I thought it would be "a good experience". It would be totally up to her.

momofsaee Feb. 13, 2009 at 9:42 AM

My oldest has gone to church camp since she was 11.  It's in cabins so it's not camping out.  She loves it.  She also went to Chicago with her school in 6th grade and will be going to Boston this year.  We live in Ca.  So she is quite the traveler.  She loves both kinds of trips. 

teamquinn Feb. 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM

My 5-year-old is going to day camp this year. It's a full day... bus leaves at 8:30am and drops them back home at 5pm... but it's the same day camp I went to and loved it! Hiking and camp fires, etc... I know as she gets older sleepaway camp is going to be an issue for my husband and I. He went and loved it and thinks she should have the experience. My thought is that I had a great time at day camp - so why do my kids need to go away to have fun at camp. I like having them around!

Cafe Amy Feb. 18, 2009 at 3:41 PM

My sons go overnight camping with the scouts all year round.  My two oldest are in boy scouts and in the summer, they do a week long camp; they really enjoy it.  My youngest just turned 10 and is in cub scouts.  He will do a week long camp this summer with his webelos den.  What is really scary is that all three boys will be out of the house for spring camporee in a couple of weeks.  The younger scouts go camping with the boy scout troop for the weekend.  I don't know what I am going to do in the house all alone with out them. 

SheriPlus3 Apr. 5, 2009 at 2:37 PM