Overnight camp

In late winter, we brought up to Mitchell the idea of an overnight camp. I had gotten a few recommendations and had picked one out. We looked at the website and watched a video and Mitchell was on board with attending. He actually wanted to go for 2 weeks! But we decided to just go for 1 week.

We signed up for the week of June 24th-30th and it seemed like it was so far away! Before we knew it, it was June and the week he would be away was quickly approaching. I read the packing list, drop off instructions and tips for camp. The week before he was supposed to leave, Dave and I spent a date night at Target and Walmart getting everything he needed for camp.

Soon it was the night before camp and I was working to label everything and pack. I didn't have much time to think about the actual drop off the next day. The camp is about 20 miles outside of Birmingham, AL. Luckily the night before, I realized they are in a different time zone. Otherwise, we would have shown up really early for camp!

It was definitely hot the day of drop off. The pool looked inviting even to me! We got him all checked in and found his cabin and 2 counselors. We got him settled in very tight and hot quarters and figured it was best to leave quickly. Mitchell seemed a little nervous, but he did great.

06.24.2012

06.30.2012

Macey was very excited when we picked Mitchell up from camp on the 30th! She's trying to keep up with her brother and Daddy.

We've gotten mixed reviews on whether he wants to go to an overnight camp again. He told us on the way back home that he likes day camps, but didn't like sleeping away from home. But he also said he would go back when he was older and could be in the bigger cabins on the other side of the lake. He also told a neighbor that he wants to go back. We certainly have plenty of time to decide! Maybe by early next year with 2 little ones keeping him on his toes -- he might be ready for a break.

On the way home, he asked if we went to his favorite places...like Moe's and McAlister's. He asked if anything was different at the house...maybe he thought we were going to remodel while he was away!

He was definitely happy to be back home and back in his own bed. Luckily for us, he just wanted to relax at home because the weekend he came home, Atlanta temps were reaching records highs (over 100 degrees). On Sunday night when he was going to bed, he told me that he would miss me while I was at work the next day. He had never said that before and I'm sure he missed us a lot while he was at camp even though he would probably never say that.

I'm certainly proud of him for going away, not getting homesick and dealing with the heat!