Summer Camp

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I'm going to summer camp on Sunday and I'm very anxious. I've been before, but the last time I went a few years ago I got so homesick that I had meltdowns and had to go home early. What if that happens this year? They are so strict about not allowing phone calls home because they think it doesn't help, but i so wish they did allow it! Any tips on making friends and not seeming weird? Should I get a top of bottom bunk (I really need my own personal safe spot, so which is better)? How should I make my space my own? How should I keep from getting homesick? Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Well, I would choose the top bunk, because it's kind of hard for people to get a good look at you.

I don't have any advice for the meltdowns, because I haven't had one in a long time. But I can recomend finding people at the camp who can to relate to something you like.

To help with the homesickness, just keep reminding yourself that you are going home at the end of the week.

I'm afraid I won't be much help, but the discussion of summer camp reminds me of a 4H camp I attended (briefly) back in 1976. My best friend and I decided to attend 4H camp. We got a cabin together along with a few other boys and a counselor. No sooner had we got there than we both began thinking that we didn't like it there. That night we plotted our escape. Like the original post says---it's very difficult to get to a telephone. The next morning we separated from our group and headed toward the kitchen area. We found a telephone in the kitchen, and rather than ask a camp person to use it, we asked a cook. We called home and said we were homesick. Our fathers came to get us (over an hour away). By that time we had been found by the staff and taken to the head of the camp. After a lengthy persuasive lecture to try to get us to stay, my friend and I won out. We said our fathers were already on their way. And after an hour, we were heading home.

Now, to try to be some help. We both had top bunks. It is harder to get to those---so therefore more private. Just try to relax and enjoy yourself.

I think I was in about 6th grade the only time I ever went to a summer camp.....it ended up being a religious camp and yeah it was not very much fun at all. It seemed like they were more worried about imposing religion on us then anything else.....I did not really get home-sick and my sister was in the same one as me but of course we got into a couple of arguments.


I actually thought it was going to be a fun experiance but it was pretty much the opposite.

My best memories are from summer camp, which I went to from ages 8-18 (as a counselor the last 2 years).

I tried summer camp when I was 15 and it was suppose to be for 2 weeks and I only lasted 3 days and cried the whole time!

Thanks for the replies. Ill definitely choose the top bunk, and im gong to make sure that we get there very early so that i can get the bunk i want and get settled in. Im sure ill find some friends, because for some reason when im at camp im way more outgoing and fun to be around. I think im just more comfortable in that environment. Im still EXTREMELY anxious... I haven't been sleeping, I've been crying like a ton and needing my mom so much, and I've had this ongoing stomach ache for the past few days. There's just so much to be anxious about. Most its that ill be away from my parents, but also the new people and not always knowing what's going to happen. I made up a checklist and a daily schedule on my galaxy tab 10.1, but i don't thing my mom will let me bring it! I rally need it... For some reason its almost like a security blanket. Using my phone or my tab for any reason, even just seeing and touching the screen makes me feel better, but phones aren't allowed.
Advice is still very welcome!

Also, has anyone heard of, been to, or is going to Camp High Rock in Massachusetts? That's where im going.

camp where you actually camp!

can't you sneak in a cell phone? tell your mum you wont use it but that it will make you less anxious. maybe it wont turn out so bad now you're a bit older, i'm sure you'll be fine(:

I liked going on camp, but I knew the group and leaders. So it was not strange for me.

Going to a camp with strangers could be more difficult.

One thing that was good for me was a place where I could be on my own. So on a few occasions I sneaked out and just was on a secluded spot. most times I returned after one or half an hour, I was never missed

My parents forced me to go to this stupid special needs camp two years in a row. I hated it both times. It was really geared towards kids with physicaly disabilites and retardation. I was determined the second time to go home so I just screamed and screamed until they called my parents to get me. It was never suggested I go back for a third year.

I have been to lots of summer camps, mostly day camps. I am going to a new overnight camp this year, I am going to go to the camp for a visit tonight!

Anyway, my experience is somewhat interesting, I have it all written down on my laptop.

AGE 4: I went to a day camp. I don't remember having any problems, really. Of course, it was 12 years ago now and I have forgotten what it like. I can't remember what it was called, I looked it up and couldn't it listed in my city's list of day camp, I found similar stuff though, they were in different locations. I just call the camp "High-Yelllow" because we wore yellow shirts when went on field trips. I don't remember much about expect that it was fun and that I was supposed to bring a snack and I didn't realize.

AGE 5: I went go that "High-Yellow" camp and I didn't like it as much. There was a mean boy there who hit me and didn't get in trouble. I also asked to have a red pipe cleaner for a craft we were doing, and they gave it to the boy that hit me. I got a pink one.

AGE 6: I went to the AWFUL day camp! I only lasted 3 days before I wanted to go! People threw paper airplanes in the camp room, people did odd-looking dances together, people also wouldn't calm down! It was CRAZY! I had to play sports with boys that were 4 years older than me! I called this camp "Brownwood".

AGE 7: I went to an all girls day camp this year that I call "Elbowsweep". It was alright. There were a lot of competitive games, which I didn't like very much. It was already though, except at this one point when the rest of the group wanted to go for a walk on the street and I wanted to go for a walk in the forest. And falling at the wading pool. And the girl that sat across my me, who had a mad face, it turned it to be her normal face, but I thought she looked mad.

AGE 8: I didn't like the day camp I went to this year very much. I call it "Kit Camp", it was gymnastics camp and we had to do a loooooooooooooong warm-up. The warm up lasted for like 30 minutes! Then we were put into groups, I was put into the group that doing boring activities, in my opinion. We did a few other activities, then we had snack, after snack, we were going to do a craft, something that happened that cost a meltdown and the lady picked me, carried me down the chairs and plopped me in a chair and in an angry voice, "Because you screamed, YOU aren't going to be coming back here!" Ironically, she was talking pretty loud. I got kicked out.

AGE 9: I went back to Elbowsweep again, this year was a bit better, I think, I don't remember much about it. I remember that we played a game that caused me to have a MAJOR meltdown, I didn't remember any other meltdowns though.

AGE 10: I did Elbowsweep again, this was alright, Monday was HORRIBLE, I had like 10 meltdowns or something crazy. Tuesday was really good, Wednesday and Thursday were alright, and Friday was good as well.

AGE 11: I went to an overnight camp this year, "Camp Shinigan", as I called it. I went two sessions, a session for a weekend and a week long session. There were some really annoying people there for the week long session. There were 3 and 33 boys at the camp that a week long. That camp was for people with autism, and it was alright I guess. I got my picture painted on the car that we painted, a boy "Quaed" at me, (he made an annoying noise in my ear) and some other things happened that weren't too impressive either.

AGE 12: I went to the camp I went to previously, this camp was very people with all types of mental and physical needs. It was good, except there was an EXTREMELY annoying girl in my buddy group. There was also an annoying girl in another group, we had a bit of a physical confrontation.

AGE 13: I went to that camp, once AGAIN! This time, everyone seemed to want to touch me. They seemed to accept that fact that a person might not want to be physically hurt, even if it was just small. However, they couldn't figure out why someone wanted to be touched. I almost got kicked out. They also added in the "Poo Chart" this year, which was a chart where everyone, including staff had use. You were supposed to tell the consulars when you went number 2 and they would write it down on a chart and post each groups chart on the door. Embarrassing and disgusting!

AGE 14: I went the same camp and got kicked out. Enough said.

AGE 15: Didn't go to camp.

AGE 16: Stay tuned...........

Any more advice? I really need it! I still have this stomach ache and can't sleep... Damn anxiety.