With baby #2 on the way, I knew this summer would be my last summer with just my Finn. So, I wanted to make sure I balanced plenty of free time with him with a few summer camps sprinkled in (so we could both maintain our sanity). He got to choose a few camps to go to during the summer. Along with visits from friends and families, mixed in with some mommy and me time, and it has been a pretty busy summer.
His first camp experience was a huge bust! He went to soccer camp at the IOP recreation center and when I picked him up, he was in tears. Not a good sign at all. After begging and pleading (and sharing some of our own camp horror stories), he agreed to go back, but day 2 was no better. By day 3, he refused to even get out of the car. I was really torn between making him stay, wanting him to stick with it, and letting him drop out, seeing how miserable it was making him. The emotional mama side won out and I didn't make him go back.
Fortunately, he had Huck Finn camp to look forward to. I was a little worried because 1). he didn't know anyone going into it and 2). it was an all day affair 9-4 and he has never done anything that long. Considering our last experience, I wasn't feeling too optimistic. I should have known though--because he shares a name with the camp, that he would have an absolute blast. It is a great concept, it's basically an old fashioned outdoorsy country boy kind of camp. Not a video game, television or iPad in sight! I loved that! They did all sorts of woodworking; made their own bow and arrows, stools, built a raft out of materials they found on the beach and then launched it down at the ocean, learned how to start a fire (without a match), they made swords and treasure boxes . . . all of the stuff little boys love to do. It sounds a little dangerous, with so many boys and so many tools and weapons, but it was surprisingly safe (only one trip to the er) and everyone had a great time. I loved picking Finn up and seeing how excited and proud he was to show off the stuff he had made. It was a great experience and totally made up for the dismal soccer camp. Huck Finn . . . we will be back next year!
Some of his handiwork
Take cover! He's armed with a home made sling shot
He's mad because it was the last day . . . and I made him pose for a picture
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