As a kid, I always went to camps, day & overnight, as a Brownie/Girl Scout. A few times went to another camp/paid for, which was fun, full of a variety of activities. My 3 sons were in scouts, 1 became Eagle Scout, 1 'almost', & the lessons, etc., for girl/boy scouts always include help the other fellow & be prepared. As does every branch of the US Service.
Growing up in the 1950’s was independent. We rode our bikes for miles outside the neighborhood, spent the days outside after doing chores down in a wilderness area with a creek & wildlife, came home for dinner when we ate as a family then disappeared until bedtime. Now parents can be accused of child abuse if they let their children walk to school alone.
spending time this week w/ each of my sons/their families/my 6 grandkids, from 3 different states. Some talk going on about their schools & the issue, now a 'hot topic' about phones in schools, & other things. Only 1 of my grands owns a phone, & her school doesn't allow phones. The others, in 2 other states, don't. One allows tablets, but with limited use, & what's interesting, they're not learning to type, but do whatever 'handwriting' of their style on the tablet. That school teaches a LOT about independent thinking/reasoning, as does the Charter school the other grands go to in CA. It all seems good, & I thoroughly enjoy seeing my sons be dads.
My husband went to a boarding high school in Alberta where it was essentially that camp experience on steroids. 50 mile snowshoe trips in the back country in winter, and 150 mile canoe trips in summer, among many other fantastical stories! As you can imagine, it was incredibly formative. I'm going to get him Eisner's Camp book. I think he'll enjoy it!
This story is awesome! I'm inspired to provide scholarships to camps such as this. I'm not sure it would be the one that is mentioned, but I believe in the camping/survival and leadership opportunities summer camps provide! Thanks!
I first went to an 8 week sleep away camp 15 or so miles from my home when I was 9 years old so that would be 1955. It’s not that we were wealthy by any stretch and I’m sure my mom, who worked full-time, had help with the expense. The initial experience was homesickness as I, like others, had never been away from our homes longterm before but our counselors were excellent at handling all of our frights and fears. Our age group enjoyed crafts, swimming in a frigid lake, archery, horseback riding and many things I can no longer remember.They kept us busy so we were ready to shower, brush teeth and fall into our bunks. If I could rumble around my gray matter I could probably write quite a bit because I went back to this camp for 5 years. I do have good memories all told though. Lots of unforgettable experiences now that I’ve pulled that file out but will stop now. And Bill, I do remember one girl in particular. She and I started camp the same year and she attended the same years I did and probably a bit longer. She was from NYC and we did write each other for several years between camp sessions. Now you’ve got me curious.
great, interesting story!!
As a kid, I always went to camps, day & overnight, as a Brownie/Girl Scout. A few times went to another camp/paid for, which was fun, full of a variety of activities. My 3 sons were in scouts, 1 became Eagle Scout, 1 'almost', & the lessons, etc., for girl/boy scouts always include help the other fellow & be prepared. As does every branch of the US Service.
Growing up in the 1950’s was independent. We rode our bikes for miles outside the neighborhood, spent the days outside after doing chores down in a wilderness area with a creek & wildlife, came home for dinner when we ate as a family then disappeared until bedtime. Now parents can be accused of child abuse if they let their children walk to school alone.
spending time this week w/ each of my sons/their families/my 6 grandkids, from 3 different states. Some talk going on about their schools & the issue, now a 'hot topic' about phones in schools, & other things. Only 1 of my grands owns a phone, & her school doesn't allow phones. The others, in 2 other states, don't. One allows tablets, but with limited use, & what's interesting, they're not learning to type, but do whatever 'handwriting' of their style on the tablet. That school teaches a LOT about independent thinking/reasoning, as does the Charter school the other grands go to in CA. It all seems good, & I thoroughly enjoy seeing my sons be dads.
My husband went to a boarding high school in Alberta where it was essentially that camp experience on steroids. 50 mile snowshoe trips in the back country in winter, and 150 mile canoe trips in summer, among many other fantastical stories! As you can imagine, it was incredibly formative. I'm going to get him Eisner's Camp book. I think he'll enjoy it!
This story is awesome! I'm inspired to provide scholarships to camps such as this. I'm not sure it would be the one that is mentioned, but I believe in the camping/survival and leadership opportunities summer camps provide! Thanks!
I first went to an 8 week sleep away camp 15 or so miles from my home when I was 9 years old so that would be 1955. It’s not that we were wealthy by any stretch and I’m sure my mom, who worked full-time, had help with the expense. The initial experience was homesickness as I, like others, had never been away from our homes longterm before but our counselors were excellent at handling all of our frights and fears. Our age group enjoyed crafts, swimming in a frigid lake, archery, horseback riding and many things I can no longer remember.They kept us busy so we were ready to shower, brush teeth and fall into our bunks. If I could rumble around my gray matter I could probably write quite a bit because I went back to this camp for 5 years. I do have good memories all told though. Lots of unforgettable experiences now that I’ve pulled that file out but will stop now. And Bill, I do remember one girl in particular. She and I started camp the same year and she attended the same years I did and probably a bit longer. She was from NYC and we did write each other for several years between camp sessions. Now you’ve got me curious.