sent there kids away for a week or longer to a stay away from home summer camp? i was maybe thinking of sending my 13 year old somewhere for a week this summer ?

Church camp runs Monday through Friday. DD, almost 15, has went the last 5 yrs. It's not a week but close enough. DS 12, and DD spend 2-4 nights with my brother and his wife during the summer. It's good away time, good for me and DH, good for the kids.

At 14 my oldest DD went to Virginia School of the Arts for a 3 week summer dance program and wound up staying for 6.....LOL

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We sent our son to Triple R Ranch (a Christian based camp) for about 5 days when he was 13 and 14. He loved it and didn't seem to miss us too much. Our 9 year old went to 5day camp last summer, through an organization called Special Love-it's for sibling of cancer patients. He had an awesome time too and can't wait to go again this summer.

My kids (11 & 9) are going away for camp this summer for the first time. They are mature for thier age and knowing who is running the camp, we are confident that they will be just fine...maybe a little homesick...but having each other there should help this a bit.

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We sent our oldest to Triple R Ranch (week long overnight camp). He was 12, 13, and 14. He loved it. It gave him some independence, he made some great friends and he had a lot of fun. I would only suggest you research, research, research. Where do they hire their staff from? What's the motivation for the staff to work there? etc. The ranch that we sent our son to was awesome. If you do your homework, it can be a great time for your child. I also found that it helps to send them along with a friend that they already know so that they feel more comfortable. They always end up making new friends as well.

My 12 year old went to Triple R Ranch last summer for a week with a friend. It was his first time away and since he was with a good friend, I wasn't so worried. He had a great time and loved the independence.
That is a really good point to really research before sending your child.
I want to go away to camp!! There should be one for Moms

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Both of my daughters started attending a Christian church camp when they finished third grade. They loved it. One will be going for the 6th time and the other her third time this summer

My son goes to camp hanes. It is a sleep away camp run by the YMCA. It is in the mountains of NC.

He loves it and this year will be his 4th year going to camp. I think next year he is going to start training to be a leader and then a camp counselor. The camp is great they have all kinds of things to do, the cabins are slightly air conditioned, they all have their own showers in each cabin. They have a lake and a pool with slides. Lots of climbing towers and a ropes course that is in the trees. They also go on hikes and the older kids leave camp for the day to go whitewater rafting and stuff like that.


HTH.
Darlene

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I have sent both my sons to sleep away camps. One run by the 4-H. It was ok but way too hot for my 9 year old. He also got a lot of bloody noses from the humidity. Best part was swimming in the James River . Worst, he wore the same swim trunks the entire time there. Even slept in them. Had a bad rash when he got home.

My other ds went to a camp outside Richmond. Christian camp. He did not really like it cause of some bullies.

Both boys attended boy scout camps. At least there the boys are kept very busy..no time to bully or be bored.

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My 9 year old will be attending an Academic Honors camp this summer for a week. His best friend will be there with him. It will be about 5 hours from home.

The other mom and I decided that we're going camping for a week-15 minutes up the road from where the boys will be! LOL We're taking my popup and our other kids and going to have fun for a week.

My son went away last summer for the first time to Washington DC for the Junior Youth Leadership program. He stayed for a week with boys and girls from across the united states. He absolutely loved it!

This year he is going away for two weeks (he is 12) to Camp St. Charles in Southern Maryland. He actually has asked me to go there for the past 3 years so I finally did it this year. He is very independent and I'm not worried about him at all.

My 8 year old daughter is going away this year for a week, this will be her first time away. She is going to Camp Puhtok in Monkton MD which is only 35 minutes from my house but she will spend the night. My niece is also going so they will be together which is very good for them. Neighbors have gone to this camp for the past several years and all have loved it.

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Yep! My oldest son went at 8 to a camp with some friends that was 6 hrs away. He loved it and went 3 years in a row. When we moved to Texas both DS have been to scout camp, church camp and a christian based camp (okay so that one is on the same lake as we live on, but they still had a great time!) Last year my 14year old son went to England with the scouts for 18 days, and this year he is going to Ireland for 16days. My youngest son is going to the Christian camp next door, and scout camp. He is counting down until he can do an overseas camp (Sweeden 2011). They always have a great time at camp. We use the black plastic footlockers pack with, and they just seem to stay stacked in the laundry room throughout summer, in the washer into the dryer, out of the dryer in to the footlocker! Another tip, I pack all their hygeine stuff into the plastic zip bags that pillows/shams/sheets come in. That way they can see everything. I buy the cheapest shampoo and they use it as body wash too. I buy the regular size and just throw it away at the end of the summer camp season. I am sure your child will have a great time!

thanks for all the great answers i have gotten from every one here its helping me .. and now i know a little better of what to and not to do