To feel I had a horribly deprived childhood because I never went to summer camp?

[AaronPurrSir]

Lately I’ve been bingeing on “Wet, hot, American summer” on Netflix and it’s reminded me of how when I was a teen growing up in dull, rainy England, I DESPERATELY wished I was American so I could go to an American summer camp. Sleeping in log cabins around beautiful lakes and scenery, fun activities, making friends and flirting with boys. The summer holiday day scheme my mum sent me to at the local church hall just didn’t cut it

Fully expecting American MNers to come on and say it was actually awful and not that fun to shatter my illusions, much in the way my friends who went to boarding school have shattered my Mallory Towers illusions

Did anyone else share my summer camp fantasies? Or anything else from different countries/cultures you wish you could have done?

I NEVER wanted to go to American Summer Camp.

Friday 13th traumatised me and I assumed they were all like that.

Ah Space Camp. I so wanted to go to Space Camp. Nothing to do with watching the film of the same name, of course....

I was not an outgoing child so I have no idea why the idea of summer camp appealed so much!

I went to one sort of, it was in a boarding school in the countryside in the U.K. I think it lasted a week or so. It was the BEST experience. Loads of different secondary school kids, activities, bunk beds, keeping each other up half the night giggling, trying to impress boys, and at the end- a disco with some lights up around the grass square, I swear in my head it looks like a film set with twinkly fairy lights against a moonlight sky, with me shooting longing looks at my crush. Basically that scene in Romeo and Juliet. In reality I was wearing a hoodie and dancing to bananarama, but you know....
Anyway sorry OP, you really missed out. Mine was summer camp meets St Clare’s all rolled into one sigh

I desperately wanted to go to summer camp! I loved Bug Juice.

I also wanted to go to boarding school, I blame Enid blyton for that one

I would have hated a regular summer camp, but I used to go to a drama camp for 2 weeks each year and that was fab.

Dd is doing Camp America this summer, she cant wait.

I never went for the whole summer, just a couple week long stints, but it was everything you would expect it to be and I loved it.

I would definitely love to send my kids when they are older, if we can afford it.

Worked in the office of a camp through Camp America back in 1990. It was a great experience and one day I plan to go back to visit the area. I want to see lightning bugs again! The camp still exists and is run by the then owner's son. Can't believe how much they charge though.

Ah I would have loved to go to summer camp! I blame a Babysitters Club Special for that.

Those of you that like Bug Juice: apparently it’s returning for a new series this year!! I loved that show, would it be sad to watch it 😂

I think it’s dependant on age really. I worked on one through camp America 20 years ago with little kids and there were some as young as 6 who were sent away for the entire summer. Home sickness was rife. Great fun for the counsellors and fun for some of the kids but I bet some have awful memories of them. Would be good to hear from some Americans who were sent every summer...

I sent two of my kids to a classic American summer camp last year, for a week.

One loved it.

One hated it.

I worked on a Girl Scout summer camp just after uni, it was the most amazing experience, definitely one of the best things I've ever done. The kids enjoyed it, but not as much as I did, I don't think... it was as you described OP, minus the boys

I worked on one through Camp America too - best 4 summers of my life! We worked hard but had a ball.

As someone who finds making friends incredibly difficult I would’ve hated an American summer camp! Thousands of miles away in a foreign country with a load of strangers.... nightmare.
I can see the appeal, but it’s not for me.

minniemummy0 VERY excited to hear Bug Juice is coming back! I’ll definitely be watching that!

It would have been my worst nightmare as a child.

I did guide and scout camps and church camp and they were amazing. I went to church camp as a kid then went back as a leader. Amazing summers.

My niece worked at one last summer... something like $13k for the summer... I think their showers worked! Sounded like the parent trap and it’s why she went as loved the film! Said it was great... the parents of these people were media moguls, lawyers for aaa class stars! Another world!

Oh so YANBU... def mossed out on something being here in the uk! Although I don’t think I could have gone to that one! ££

Here is what the words American Summer Camp summon up for me.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=e3_xiUYMnXA

I think it’s based on actual letters Sherman received from his son.

I worked in a summer camp in America. I think it was great for older children. But the youngest there were only just 5 and away from their parents for 8 weeks with total strangers!! They were horribly homesick, no wonder they are still just babies. Makes my blood run cold thinking about them sobbing at night for Mummy now I have my own DC.

Pikehau
My niece also worked in a similar camp. She said it was a very different world where "poorer children" only had 2 or 3 houses🤥
Sadly one of the camp leaders was the teacher tha died in the Florida shootings last week.

Dd is going to an inclusive camp where children with SN can chose how much they want to take part in the main camp, while still getting support in their own area.She flies out early for life guard training.

@AaronPurrSir Have you watched Beaver Falls on Channel 4? That too is set in a US summer camp, focusing on British counsellors

Bug juice doesn't come in a jar, bug juice comes from who you are!!

I was always desperate to go to summer camp