Jackie Hyland: Singing songs, roasting marshmallows, making memories

In this crazy busy world we all live in, it's not everyday you get the chance to step away and spend the night with your child and her class at a camp!

I was lucky enough to travel with my daughter's class to Camp Don Lee in Arapahoe, N.C., recently. Let me tell you it was quite the adventure, one I will never forget.

More than 100 of us parents, teachers and students filled up four motor coaches and drove more than three hours to the camp on the Neuse River.

On our first day at the waterfront camp, the weather was unpredictable and windy, with a little rain and quite chilly at times. The weather did not stop us from learning how to dissect a fish and wade into the river in search of sea life or from gathering around a camp fire on a very windy night, singing songs and roasting marshmallows!

OK, I will admit the sleeping conditions were a little rough, but that only added to the adventure. For me, this was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with my daughter and her friends! I was so happy seeing her having fun and learning all about sea life and North Carolina.

As a working mom, I have so much guilt that I don't spend enough time with her and her sister during the week. So this was good for both of us!

I also got to meet some fantastic moms and dads on the trip and learn all about their busy lives, jobs and kids!

My daughter was happy to see me having fun too. In fact, she told me she saw me talking a lot! I have to admit ... one mom and I really hit it off and we talked for three straight hours on the bus ride there!

On the second day of our trip, the weather was just perfect - sunny and warm! We enjoyed a treasure hunt and learned about soil and the river Neuse!

Then it was time to load up the buses and head back home. I fell asleep on the trip home, I was so exhausted!

I know it's a trip I will treasure for a lifetime, for the precious time I got to spend with my daughter and the people I met along the way!