My Daughter Is Heading to Camp!: Maine Guide’s Musings About The First Summer

Blog post by Maine Camp Experience Guide, Laurie Kaiden. As the Guide for Maine Camp Experience, I’ve enjoyed spending time at the Maine camps and working with the directors over the past few years.  This year, it’s become very personal as my older daughter heads off to spend her first summer at a Maine Camp Experience camp.  As I trade emails, texts, and Facebook posts with my friends, I am thinking of the first timers everywhere who are probably going through many of the same things. For me, as I’m sure for many – nine years has gone by in the blink of an eye.  While the days were long, the years were short and I can’t believe we’ve arrived at this point.  We toured the camps, we packed and shipped the trunks, and I guess she’s ready to go. Here are my musings of what’s happening here now – all underscored by the fact that I know she will have the best summer, make new friends, challenge herself and learn new things, and that she will come back more independent, mature, and enriched.  Here goes …

• She’s leaving tomorrow.  I woke early, early this morning.  Felt a little nauseous.  Thought I wouldn’t be able to eat.  (That went away.)  Speaking of food …
• The Last Supper – I think the last dinner before the kids head to camp has evolved into the last 4-7 dinners.  It’s been a week of carefully planned nights to ensure we’d hit each eatery she’d want (which is funny because I think camp food today is really good – and probably better than what I’d serve her at home, i.e., she won’t be missing out on anything!)
• The goodbyes – Each time I see my daughter say goodbye to her friends (or I see a group of friends – such as I saw at the local yogurt place the other night), I’m a little sad but mostly so excited that they’re all heading out to have this incredible adventure, and think about how lucky we are that we can give our kids this gift.
• The letters – I’ve already written and sent a few so she’ll hopefully get them when she gets to camp.  What do I have to really say while she’s still home (at times, driving me crazy).  Also, I remember receiving letters/being a camper – I can’t believe now I’M THE MOM writing to my daughter at camp!
• Words of wisdom – Friends have told me they’ve been trying to cram in all the words of wisdom that come to mind.  A couple of my favorites have included: “Make sure if you see a family on tour at your camp this summer – please say hi/be sweet even if you don’t exactly remember who they are” and this, from my husband to my daughter, “I hope you stain every one of your shirts at camp this summer” (in response to me often wielding my stain stick).
• Make your bed!!! – As I walk past her room this morning – as per usual – the bed is unmade while she luxuriates by the TV downstairs.  Today (we’re leaving early tomorrow) will be the last day I say, “I can’t wait till you get to camp where you’ll have to make your own bed each morning.” I wish her and all the first timers and all the returning campers and all the directors and staff an amazing 2014 camp summer.  Wish me luck tomorrow and good luck to all the parents.  I’ve heard and will follow the tricks – wear dark glasses, stay positive, and hope for the best!  I hope/think it’s gonna be great! Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful new tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (2-7 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  contact our Maine Camp Guide, Laurie  to discuss these camps as well as for year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.