Overnight summer Bible camps

[dedife]

I put "yes, pretty much every year"...because it was the closest answer. The real answer would be "yes, but this is the first year they have gone."

My boys are 8 and 10 years old.

My 8 year old went in June, his camp was 2 nights, which I thought was the perfect length for his age. He had a blast, and came home exhausted! He knew a lot of people though, so it made me much more comfortable. Several classmates went, including his best buddy. One of my best friends was up there with her son. The youth leader (she is also a former teacher at our school) from one of our sister churches went with them too. Our former pastor's daughter is a counselor up there. So I was very comfortable. If we didn't know anyone, I don't think I would have sent him at this age. His camp was $99. That included a t-shirt.

My 10 year old is at camp now. His is 4 nights long. He has one classmate going (a girl though ) but there are 2 boys in the grade ahead of him he is friends with that are going. His camp is $189.

There is a $15 optional charge to ride the horses. (They do have specific horse camps too..these camps weren't "horse" camps)

[EllieFunt]

Do you let your kids go? Yes, this is our 2nd year.

How much do you pay per child for a week? Registration fee and "extras"? if you don't mind sharing... $340.00

Do you let them go every summer? starting what age? My oldest started going last year - she was 11. My youngest just went for her first time this year, she's 9. They bunked in the same cabin.

We have quite a few ladies from our church who work at this camp in the summer. So, if they get sad or homesick they can find a familiar face for a hug. I'm not sure if I'd be sending them to camp otherwise. I'm overprotective like that. Perhaps after attending family camp - then I'd decide.

Our camp is excellent. Everything is included, horseback riding, white water rafting (when the river allows) boating, tubing behind the boat. Meals off site - ie: breakfast on an island on the lake. They make it such a special week.

[utkgrad101]

My kids aren't old enough, but if they were I would take them to an overnight Bible camp. Gives me some time off and them some time away from us as parents!

[Bronte73]

I said other because my kids have not shown any interest in going. I went to camp growing up and LOVED it! It was the highlight of my summer. However, I'm not sure if I would send my kids if they were interested unless they were older and I was very comfortable with the set up and supervision. I had to do an article on the safety of camps and it changed my perspective!

Cost would also be an issue for us. My boys go to sports camps - day camps - and those add up. We can only afford so much of that stuff, kwim. Dh hated going to camp so he hasn't really mentioned it at all.

[CarrieinWI]

I am not comfortable sending my kids away for a week or even overnight at camp. It seems that it is asking for trouble. Maybe I have watched too many camp movies. So I don't plan on it.

[1fitmom]

I grew up going to camp every summer since I was old enough. We still go to that camp, but as a family (they have family and youth weeks). It's something to consider to still give your kids the camp experience, but not have to send them away. At that particular camp we could not afford to send our children there individually (it's approx. $200 per kid per week). It's cheaper to go as a family.

There is another camp that is through our church. It's $60 per kid. That is what we have to pay, I think it's more than that, but our church automatically pays a portion of it. This year we have our 4 oldest that are eligable to go, so it kind of added up. But we didn't think twice to not send them.. They want to go and so we send them. They love it and don't mind being away from home at all.

[Nannynise]

I went as a kid and then as a youth. It was the best times of my life. When I got to old for childrens camp I became a counselor and the same for youth camp.

When my girls get old enough to go I will send them. I will also vol. to go as a counselor if they need it. I loved going to camp.


My girls aren't old enough to go yet. My oldest will be able to attend next year if she wants.


Denise

[footballbella]

other since my kids haven't reached the age when they can go, but yes I plan to send them!

[DDofEve]

I voted "every year"

Do you let your kids go? Absolutely.

How much do you pay per child for a week? $200 approx, exp because of the early registration discounts

Registration fee and "extras"? The only extra is money for the week's snack shop and t-shirt, around $20.

Do you let them go every summer? YUP!

starting what age? 8

We have an interesting and special love relationship with our camp. Dh was a counselor there for two years (and I was for one at that particular one, but I was discipled via a camp counselor-in-training program and was a summer missionary with the camp admins for two years and then was a counselor and counselor in training for about 6 years beginning at age 12 I worked for camp) but the one year where I went and dh and I overlapped was a really special year for the camp. Bad special, though. On our first day of camp that year, we lost a mentally handicapped camper in a bad storm. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it was completely a fluke. He was walking really slow back to the cabin and this storm comes out of NOWHERE and a tree fell over on him. It sealed our bond with the camp for forever. The camp's motto is "A Place Where Everyone Is Given Time and Room To Grow." Its so true. When I need a getaway, I go to camp. We are always welcome there and dh is asked each year to be speaker for either Precious Jewel week (mentally handicapped campers) or Sr. High Week.

Two of our three children were entrusted to their care this year. I cannot WAIT for my youngest to go next year because of what i KNOW he will learn not just from his counselor, but from Boss and Shirley (the Camp Admin and his wife) that family is just amazing. I love BaYouCa so very very much! I grew in my Christian walk so much because of my camp experience. I think every child should have an opportunity to be able to attend a good, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching overnight camp.

The friendships I made at camp have lasted me a lifetime.

[Madre de 3]

Originally Posted by Bronte73

However, I'm not sure if I would send my kids if they were interested unless they were older and I was very comfortable with the set up and supervision. I had to do an article on the safety of camps and it changed my perspective!

I voted never.

My dh was sexually abused at an overnight church camp.

The first thing I'd ask besides what fun things the kids would be doing would be WHO supervises the supervisors, clergy, chaperones, and staff and then what happens if there is an inappropriate situation...how is that handled?

I haven't come across a church camp that has had a sufficient answer to that question yet.

Of course, even if I felt comfortable with it, I doubt my dh would ever allow his children to be in those situations...no matter how "wonderful" they seem.

That's my clouded viewpoint.