My boys have been going to summer camp since the age of four. They started off going to Camp Krislund, a camp run by our church Presbytery, where they swam, played games, crafted, learned songs and got their Jesus on for 3 days a year. Last year, Ryan was able to go to a full week-long camp but he was less than thrilled at the idea of Krislund because of his different religious beliefs (He's a Buddhist. Well, Atheist. Well, both, because technically Buddhism is non-diest or non-theistic according to my heretic son). "All we do is sit under a tree and read that Bible. I'll go this year, but if we don't do more nature stuff, I'm not going back." But he had to because, um, a week without kids. I drove the boys to camp, the whole way lecturing them about being appropriate, about not being rude, about keeping their hands out of their pants, about wearing pants. Ethan, going for the three-day mini camp was ready to go. He loves God, loves nature, loves life. When I picked Ethan up mid-week, he was dirty, tired, and happy, as expected. I saw Ryan from a distance in his cabin group; he looked happy! I was happy! This was going to work after all! At the end of the week, I drove back up to camp to pick Ryan up and he looked happy. His counselors were telling me how wonderful he was, what a great kid he was, and then...the whole was to the car he bitched about the hypocrisy of the kids and counselors. "Really Mom. You lectured us about being appropriate! Do you know I learned what a condom is? Do you know how I learned? Because I told a kid his craft was an epic fail and he he said 'Oh, well, your dad's condom was an epic fail'. I had to ask a counselor. And he told me! I also learned what 'purpling' is. I shouldn't know what that is! AND I learned what a boner is. A boner. Hypocrites!" This was the end of church camp for Ryan.
But I persevered. Because a week without kids is a week without kids. And I WISH I could have gone to camp as a kid. And, dammit, if I can't live vicariously through the boys with ballet lessons or cheerleading, they can go to camp. Friends of ours found an environmental conservation camp in Carbon County; a very small (25 kids), rustic camp with science experiments, tie-dying, camp fires, whitewater rafting and a talent show. I presented this opportunity to the boys and they were quite excited. And today was the day. We headed to Lehighton yesterday to stay at our friends' house (their son was also heading to camp with the boys) because it was relatively close to the camp and sign-in was at 9AM this morning. We were there on time, fully stocked with Deep Woods Off, bed rolls, sleeping bags, sunscreen (that won't get used), clean underwear (that won't get worn), and a little bit of nerves (from all of us except Ethan). We were able to drive the boys to their cabins, where they were greeted by camp pro Brian, who has been going to the camp since he was eight. He's twelve and mourning his last year at camp. The three boys picked Cabin 3 and in we went! And my envy faded. That shit is rustic. There aren't any mattresses on the wooden racks (hence the need for the egg crate bedrolls). There are nails for hooks. There are dead bugs. And the boys were in HEAVEN! Within a short time, beds were made, bags were unpacked, and Ethan and his buddy were pretty much over us parents being there. The shock was that Ryan was...emotional. He was teary. He was trying to wipe his tears away, but kept saying "I'm just really going to miss you. Five days? Just five days?" And he hugged he in front of other campers, which is huge. Monumental. It was really difficult for me, because he's not an emotional kid. He's my logical, black and white, no nonsense, tell it like it is kid. And there he was really needing me. It kind of sucked. But, soon (mercifully), a counselor came to take the kids to the Rec Hall for introductions and to kick off the week of hiking and games and unrequited crushes that they'll remember when they're my age. My friends and I got in our cars and left them to their own devices to create their own memories, to build a little confidence, to hone their independence and to, for God's sake, not sit under a tree and read that Bible. And there had better not be any purpling.
So, tonight, my husband and I had a delicious kid-free dinner. Tomorrow, we'll meet for a beer. I may go to dinner with friends Wednesday, maybe catch a Bikram class Thursday; but I'll be really happy to see my babies Friday. And soak them in the tub for a looooong time after thorough tick check.
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