Camp...not liking it second update on bottom

So my ds7 is signed up for the Nassau Recreatin Summer Program and he does not care for it. The first day he came home sobbing, the second day he said it was a bit better, and the third day he could not wait to get in the car. On the third day his friend was out sick so I guess that was rough. I let him stay home on Friday cause he was burned and with bloodshot eyes. I was thinking he just needed to adjust to this camp and things would get beter...but then I started thinking what if he was in camp fr just a week, should it take three plus days to adjust?

He enjoys most of the activities, he has a friend with him but it is a long day. He has been to camp every summer since he was 4 and always loved it. This requires a lot more independence, but I just can't help but to think there is something wrong for him to dislike it so much. I wish I never made this commitment but I never thought he would not love it. He is shy. I think the counselors are poorly trained.

Anyone have any experience with this? Or with Rec program at wantagh park?

TIA

Update:

SO I went to the director to express my concern about my son having a difficult time and her response was....

"Well we can't make everyone happy." NO kidding. And then "we can't make our counselors do that" in response to my request that they remind my son about sunscreen and possibly incorporate a snack time. I simply asked how snack was handled and she said it was up to the counselors. Since when is it up to the teenage counselors how to schedule 7 yr old boys activities. ANd on Fri when my son stayed home apparently his particular counselors chose to skip the pool cause they did not feel like it and other parents commented. UGGH> .

Message edited 7/13/2011 9:14:11 PM.

Re: Camp...not liking it

Well if he loved it every other summer I would think there was something wrong too.

Unless he needs to go for some reason, I would give him the choice to stay home. Have you used this camp before?

Re: Camp...not liking it

No, never used this camp before. He has never had such a long camp day either. I just feel bad that he is not happy, but I do think he needs the exercise. I am definitely not going to make him do the whole 6 wks...but I do not know if I should let him quit after just three days. I am pretty sure there is no refund either.

Thank you for responding...now I know I am not completely crazy for considering letting him stay home.

Re: Camp...not liking it

One week in and so far so good. Is he going until 3:00 or 5:00? DS is going until 3 and he is loving it but is coming home exhausted.

The kids are moving from activity to activity all day long the only down time is lunch and snack and 1x per week arts and crafts. DS told me he and a few other boys in his group "tanned" yesterday after going on the water slide a few times because they wanted a little break.

Have you spoken to his counselor? IMO they make or break the camp experience. I have found them and the director to be very responsive. I pointed out an issue to the director on Thurs by the next morning it was taken care of and he made a point to show me that it was taken care of.

Message edited 7/9/2011 7:59:36 AM.

Re: Camp...not liking it

Re: Camp...not liking it

My son has no snack and still does not know any boys names except for the one he came with. I do think the counselors should have gotten the boys to know each other. One yells shut up at them and my son hates that. My son is always alone when I see him, sitting or walking. He is shy so I know that's him, but usually in these recreational things he has a blast and he was so excited. I am sad that it is not working out. The first day some boys teases him that he could not hit the ball in baseball and that was that.

Thanks for the input :)Glad to hear your son is having fun. I might speak with them. But at this point I do not think they can change much.

Re: Camp...not liking it

As a teacher; I would definitely speak to the counselor/director. The camp just started there should definitely be some "get to know you" games, etc. or teamwork activities to get the children playing with e/o & getting to know one another.

Also I would not want anyone telling my child to "shut up." That is just not appropriate/professional in the least.

My DD is very shy & it takes her a long time to warm up/get comfortable. She had a 3 day camp through her new PK school this week & by the start of the 2nd day she was looking forward to it; although she was a bit apprehensive.

I too, would AT least wait it out another week, but would definitely speak to someone.

Re: Camp...not liking it

They yell shut up at them! No way - I would let the director know about that one. I hate the teasing my DS is not the best ball player either and he was also teased. Im sorry he is not having fun maybe he can be moved to another group.

Re: Camp...not liking it

The problem with these camps is that the counselors are teens and just don't care. I would speak to the supervisor/director on Monday if he is still getting teased. That is not something I would just "accept" as kids being kids. Its unacceptable, as is the "shut up". If it doesn't stop, I would be demanding a full refund.

Re: Camp...not liking it

The counselor yelled shut up at them!? I was a counselor for many many years and that is never acceptable. We were 16-19 yrs old as counselors and that was never an excuse. Can he maybe switch groups with another counselor?/

Message edited 7/9/2011 7:36:38 PM.

Re: Camp...not liking it

Thanks for your replies. I thought maybe I was overreacting about the shut up thing and maybe its just me who finds it so rude. I am a teacher and have been a camp counselor and never in a million years would I have ever said that. Although I have been known on a very rare occasion to yell it at my nonstop barking dog. I am beginning to feel that one counselor has a lot to do with his dislike of camp.

As for the teasing I thought maybe my son might have been overly sensitive because he is extremely competitive. He is a good athlete, but lately has been having trouble hitting after he was hit with a ball. I thought maybe he just was more mad at himself. He said everyone yelled at him, but then admitted that it may have only been one or two boys. He also was specific about what they said. He begged me not to tell his dad or anyone so I think he was ashamed of something.

I really appreciate everyone's insight. It helps me to decide if I am over or under- reacting. It just stinks if he does not like it. He is so active so it does not make sense. He typically loves summer camp and even the camp on our cruise.

THANKS!

Re: Camp...not liking it

Forgot to mention...since camp started he has learned the word jerk and that the middle finger can be used as a curse (still does not know what it means but is totally curious.) I know he will pick these things up but in just 3 days already?

Re: Camp...not liking it

It sounds like the counselors are teenagers that are not taking the job seriously and are letting the kids run amuck instead of doing their jobs. I wouldn't send my son. Why spend good moeny to have him in an unhealthy atmosphere?

Re: Camp...not liking it

Sorry your son is having a hard time. Given what you described I would def speak to the camp director, maybe he can switch groups.

I had a similair issue with my DD last year at a camp, I knew by the end of week 1 that is wasnt going to work out. I had registered her for 8 weeks, but only sent her 1-2 days a week for maybe 5 weeks and then called it quits becuase she wasnt happy going. It was a variety of issues but mainly lack of organization and poor councilers. It stinks to loose $$ but worse to see them sad over the summer when they should be having fun. Good Luck!

Re: Camp...not liking it

Re: Camp...not liking it

Which one is your son going to? My kids are over at Nickerson..

It takes them a little while to get into it sometimes..

Mine are loving it and I think that anytime you have camp and a group with such a big age span as this, you're going to have kids exposed to all sorts of stuff (Hence the middle finger and the word jerk lol) but it's not just this camp.. it's all camps really.. my kids have been to different camps and they always come back with new things ugh lol

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Update on top

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Ugh that update stinks, I can't believe the director was not helpful at all.

I would go above his/her head and complain and try for a partial refund if he is hating it so much and they are not even trying to make it a good experience for him.

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Thanks, I did speak with the director's supervisor and he was more helpful. He appeared to at least care.

BTW he goes to Wantagh. I went to the pool today for my dd's swim lesson. He seemed fine, but a little girl was lost there today. I helped her find her counselor who never knew she was missing. DOes not make me feel so confident.

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Wow; sounds like they need more direction/guidance & more training for the counselors.

I'd call the head person of the camp & describe your disappointment & state how you are not happy & are thinking of pulling your son & know that others feel the same.

How can a teenager be making their own decisions about a child's snack/pool, etc.

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Wow.

For my kids, parents are responsible for sunscreen. As for snack, I would speak to the counselor again & make it a medical issue.

I'm floored. It may be because it's a town camp but I'd be really annoyed. I know a few moms weren't happy with our town camp last year.

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

I would try one or 2 days then decide if you want to take DS out. I see the TOBAY Camp in Plainview and I am not a fan.

my DS is 2.5 enrolled in another Camp and didn't seem too thrilled when I went to pick him up the first day (yesterday) so I have the same decision to make

Re: Camp...not liking it UPdate

So tonight he sobbed that noone wants to be his friend...except one boy who could not tie his shoes and the counselor yelled at him for being unable to do so...he never came back. He says he feels like he is all alone, an empty space and that noone likes him he does not even like himself. He wants his sweet little freckles removed from his face. He was told he is a slow poke -He has an 11yr old in his group! ...of course he is slower than him. THIS SUCKS!

Thanks for listening.