Truth be told, I dreaded this summer. I had heard so many cautionary tales from wise moms who had conquered the summer camp world and I was terrified!
Everyone told me you've got to sign up early! The most popular camps fill up fast! Don't forget to squeeze in something with academic value! You don't want your child to fall behind in his learning!
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In February, when enrollment started, I had friends who sent me spread sheets of their camp schedules. I felt woefully inadequate. I was marking mine on the kitchen calendar. What if that calendar disappeared and I didn't know where to take Will?!
And, of course, I worried that Will simply wouldn't like the camps I picked.
Well, like most things, it's all turned out just fine. I wasn't the first to sign up and that was OK. There are plenty of camps and plenty of spaces for everyone it seems! And I decided to forego any academic camps this year. Will is six. Summer is about fun! (Mike and I never went to reading or writing camp and we turned out OK.)
Bottom line, Will is having a blast! He's playing with friends, he's made new friends and he's getting to try things he's never been exposed to before. We are all happy campers.
Julia is a reporter for WRAL-TV and the mother of a kindergartner. She writes monthly for Go Ask Mom.