2nd or 3rd Child at Camp....

So here is the scoop about taking Peter to camp.  A friend encouraged me to share it here as she assures me I'm not alone in this approach. Now that he is home and there is happy ending it is easier to show the world my inadequacies... Peter went to camp the Sunday after the holiday weekend. Which meant we packed for him in early July and then went about enjoying the holiday fun- fireworks late, out all day on the 4th of July with the 5K, parade, etc.., we went to a Clippers game for my birthday and then up to the lake...from the lake to drop Peter off at camp.  At some point I realize we didn't have any paperwork- it never made it from the summer to do folder, Joe who was the point person on this camp never even saw the paperwork...yes communication with 3 active kids, 2 working parents things can get overlooked....or lost in a pile...We thought we knew what time Peter was to check in...

The morning we took Peter to camp was a lovely morning- the kids wanted to swim across the lake so we did- Peter kayaked anticipating camp energy would be needed. We had a yummy breakfast and "breakfast with Wimbledon treats"...we were excited we were 1/2 way to camp from the lake and departed a bit later than we thought we would but felt like we were in good shape..it was that happy holiday relaxation place....then reality hit.  15 minutes before we arrived in town (Wooster) we realized we should find the building and details on line- since we didn't have any paperwork- my bad.  We figured out we'd be arriving with 15 minutes left in the check-in process.  We realized Peter didn't have a pillow, a water bottle or an alarm clock...so the plan became to send me to Walmart and Joe would get him situated. We all did the check-in- at this point I realized Peter never really had lunch (and probably didn't eat a big breakfast) and it is now 2:45 pm...why hadn't we done the drive through for him on the way in to town. Reality is Peter usually tells us he is hungry- we figured out he was pretty nervous and not quite himself as we were checking-in. You all know Peter- outgoing, smiling, talkative...not this Peter. As we met coaches and engaged with the staff...Peter didn't smile or speak up..I was worried.  However I had to get to Walmart....

I was able to get to the store and procure his things in a timely matter, however not before it was time for Peter to report in the gym ready to go.  When I returned to campus Joe had his room key and took me there to apply the forgotten items.  I was disappointed they didn't assign Peter a roommate and I was worried he'd be very lonely and oversleep.    We took his bag with room key and filled water bottle back to the gym- I was hopeful I could get my goodbye hug in....no such luck.  We waved across the gym and blew-a-kiss- that was it.  Poor me- not getting that hug was torture for me.  The only good thing was seeing his smile as he was in a gym with a room full of other kids there to do what they all love to do- play ball. That would have to carry me for the next few days.

The first day was the hardest as I described in my earlier blog about needing to cheer myself up. Work, quality Sally time, Joe's encouragement and Clare's good news helped me realize he would be fine. I rationalized even if he wasn't happy, he was safe and would learn from the experience.  The good news is when Joe picked him up and put his phone in Peter's hands to call me the energy on that call was amazing. Peter was beaming via the cell signal happy as could be.  When I finally got my hug- the welcome home hug it was filled with appreciation for his time away and to be welcomed home.  The next morning he cuddled up and told me all about the time at camp.  The reality is he did oversleep one morning, he was missing anti-itch cream, he was indeed starving that day and didn't eat until 5 pm....but he made up for it with unlimited pasta and ice cream in the college dining hall for both lunch and dinner every day he was there. He didn't have enough money to go bowling but hung out, and didn't mind living alone and the best news- he can't wait to go back next year.  Parenting is indeed the hardest and most rewarding thing we do, the tests and challenges get harder and I know these are easy compared with what it is to come. I just never really thought about how much growing up as a parent I do as they grow up too.....Life on Newark-Granville Road is filled with imperfection, we forgive and move on, laugh and learn, cry and yell, smile and laugh, kiss and make-up.  Who knows how Sally will ever get to camp....we've always said we treated Clare like a 2nd child- we were not overly worried about germs and things over anxious 1st time parents were....our approach to camp may prove the point.