Sleeping the Summer Away

 

Jada did sleepaway camp for the first time at age 9. Aaron we started at 8. And, this summer, Asher had a go as a seven-year-old. Specifically, we signed him up at a place an hour away, which Aaron had tried the year before and liked. Four one-week sessions, basically shipping out for the week and coming home each weekend. We knew we were taking a chance with him being so young, in addition to all of his behavioral issues, but figured we should go for it and see.

It was bumpy, to say the least. He had a number of behavioral issues his first week but otherwise made it all the way through. Early the second week, though, we got a call that the issues had escalated, that he'd been given several warnings, and that the next incident would warrant us having to pick him up early.

The next day, that happened, and when I went out to get Asher, he cycled through rage, disbelief, and regret. It was tumultuous and heart-rending throughout, but ultimately a life lesson I hope registered with him at least a little bit.

Missing the rest of that week, he was also told he was not allowed to come back the following week. But, that following week, we were told he could return for his final week, so we packed him up and shipped him off once again, holding our breath and praying on our knees that he would do better. And, despite continued behavioral issues, including a notice to us that he was one warning away from being sent out again, he made it to the end of the week.

The camp experience itself was a fun one for Asher. Canoeing was a revelation for this city kid, being with boys his age 100 percent of the time was nirvana given how extroverted he is, and he especially liked volunteering to pray when prayer time came up. I also ordered him a care package the last week he was there, which he reveled in since he saw all the other boys getting theirs throughout the summer.

As for the parents, it was some good and some bad. Packing and then watching him lose half his stuff was to be expected yet still maddening. And waiting on pins and needles for the final shoe to drop and having to race over to get him (and change up the rest of the week's schedule) was not fun, to say the least. 

But, for a while, we had some Asher-free existence, which was amazing to sleep in, have leisurely meals, clean the house and see it stay clean for more than 24 hours, and go out with friends. Needless to say, sleepaway camp is a win for the Huang family all around. So we look forward to doing it all again next summer!