Letter Writing Day

Wednesday is letter writing day at Circle F Dude Ranch which means that you can all expect at least one letter from this week. Do not feel bad if you have not received a letter from your camper yet. It normally means that they are having so much fun that they don't want to miss out on all that is happening and write a letter.

While campers might not think to write you a letter until prodded by their counselor, remember that campers love mail at camp. Whether it is a letter, a package or even a fax, campers love to get news from home. Make your letters fun by clipping out comics or puzzles from the local paper. I always get a lot of questions on what should be sent in a care package. Here are some ideas that I think are a lot of fun: water balloons, glow sticks, mad libs, cards, uno, a travel game, a favorite toy from home, magazines, sun glasses, a costume for the upcoming granny and grandpa dance, novelty toys (nothing is funnier than a whoopie cushion or fake poop at camp), a book, a toy to sign for the end of camp (like a graduation toy), stationary to write you letters (pre-addressed and stamped), a squirt gun, wads of cash to give to their favorite Assistant Director (just kidding). It is Wednesday night so if you want your package or letter to arrive before the end of camp be sure to send it very soon.

If you are reading this blog it is probably because you are really missing your children. When I moved from being a Counselor to Administration I thought that I would be dealing with a lot of homesick children. However, I find that I am dealing with homesick parents a lot more than I am dealing with homesick campers. Most parents spend a ton of energy and time making sure that their children are ready for camp. At the same time, parents spend almost no time preparing themselves for their own journey. For many of our first time parents this is the longest you have been away from your children since they were born. It is a totally natural feeling to be missing your children and to want to be connected with them while they are away at camp. We understand that you want to feel connected to your children. However, just like your children are growing more independent and confident at camp, you are growing as a parent at home. You are starting to realize that your camper can survive without you for more than a few hours or days. You are starting to realize that you do not have total control over your child's actions and life decisions. This can be terrifying because 1) we want our children to make the best decisions and we fear that if we are not around they will make poor decisions, 2) we view our children as reflections of ourselves and when we send our children to camp we are afraid that we will be judged by our children's actions and that this will reflect poorly on us, 3) we have been told that we need to be connected at all times to our children and we need to be the "perfect parent". But, as we all know, there is no perfect parent, there is no guide book, and we are all amateurs constantly trying to keep up with our children as they grow and change. So we lay with our eyes open, unable to sleep, fearing the worst. This is where it is important to remember that this time is a growing time for you as a parent. With each passing day, you are growing into a more confident person/parent able to let go of control of your children and to feel more confident that we know we are doing the best we can do, but in the end, we only control ourselves and our actions. Camp is a time not only for your children, it is a time for you. Use this time wisely to reflect on your life as a parent and as an individual.

Thank you for all of your comments on the blog. I will try to write an entry each day. If you have any questions that you would like me to address about camp, activities, camp philosophy, myself,or anything else, please post your questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Well, it is 11:52 (have I really been working for 18 hours today?!?!?!) and camp is totally dark. You can hear soft breathing coming from the cabins. We are finally starting to wear them out. The campers are fast asleep, storing energy for tomorrows new adventures. I hope you all have a Fantastic night of sleep knowing that your children are safe here at the Circle F Dude Ranch.

Fantastic Wishes,
Roger