45 Hilariously Relatable Tweets From Parents Who Tried To Sign Their Kids Up For Summer Camp
Many children would likely agree that summertime is the best time of the year. But while they’re looking forward to freedom from school and homework, their parents are racking their brains trying to come up with what summer camp to send them to; and how to finance it without having to sell everything they own.
Since that is a common struggle for many parents with summer fast approaching, quite a few of them voice their concerns or honest opinions about it online, and we want to celebrate their creativity in doing so. From comparing it to buying Taylor Swift tickets or entering the Hunger Games to vividly describing just how frustrating it can be, these parents on X (formerly Twitter) got painfully honest about it; you can find some of their best posts on the list below.
This post may include affiliate links.
I never went to summer camp, didn't need to. I grew up in the country by a creek and plenty of woods to explore. We built forts in the woods and had a swimming pool my whole childhood. We were never bored in the summer. This was in the 70s/80s and we weren't glued to electronics. We biked everywhere and detasseld corn and walked bean fields for money. I'm glad I grew up where I did.
It’s not difficult to see why kids love summer; being able to spend time outdoors or with friends instead of spending time seated at the desk at school is just one of the reasons.
For many of them, summer camp is a place that combines both time outdoors and people of similar age who often are—or have the potential to become—their friends. According to Statista’s data from August of 2020, nearly a third of parents in the US were planning to or have already sent their children to a summer camp.
And that's why my daughter went to "camp grandma's house" over the summer
According to Wild Packs, those looking for a summer camp in the US can choose from over 3,500 options, the majority of which—nearly 470—are reportedly located in California. The Golden State is followed by New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts respectively.
Last time I tried to sell organs there were so many questions. "Why are they in a bucket? Why are there 4 hands? Why is there a gallon of blood at the bottom?" Like, do you want them or not?!
At least you don’t have to purchase 8 different versions of the literal same thing to get the “full experience”…?
With thousands of camps to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one, as it has to meet the expectations of both the child as well as the parents. Research on summer camps from the perspective of participants and organizers found that an attractive program—which has to be skillfully designed to satisfy both of said parties—is one of the main things that helps people choose the right one for them.
The study also found that when children establish a good relationship with the camp’s staff, they are more likely to enjoy their time there and make nice memories. And it seems that as long as the connection with the personnel is strong, neither the children nor the parents care too much about the staff’s qualifications. (Though, camp operators know how crucial qualified staff is for the success of the camp.)
"Cruel Summer"....having to parent the children that you insisted on having...sounds cruel to the children who have these types of parents. Don't breed if you can't comprehend having to spend time and energy on them.
According to the American Camp Association, the most popular length of a summer camp is one week or less, yet there are operators who organize them up to two months long.
No matter the length, though, camps can provide children and young adults with invaluable life lessons and unforgettable experiences. In addition to the friends and the activities that a summer camp experience typically entails, attendees also have the chance to acquire certain skills and boost their confidence.
January is when the summer camp spreadsheets come out and the Mom group text stream begins. And by March, all the camps are full.
In a piece titled ‘The camp sent you home a 'new' kid. Here's how to keep him that way’, Joanne Kates, the Director of Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park and a columnist for Globe & Mail, revealed that once their kid comes back from a summer camp, many parents say they are more confident and resourceful.
“After all, at camp kids set and clear their tables, they clean their cabins, they get themselves to activities on time (wearing the right clothes and with their life jacket or canoe paddle or riding helmet), they fill and empty their own laundry bags,” the director pointed out.
It's almost like it's your responsibility as their parent to parent them.
The expert continued to suggest that camps aim to teach children to be tolerant, inclusive and respectful of others. During the week or however long they stay in the summer camp, they are mentored and expected to grow their social skills, which often results in quite a significant positive change.
Research on how summer programs influence outcomes for children and youth found that summer camps can be designed to have a strong positive impact on their safety, their physical and mental health as well as social and emotional development, and their academic learning.
my camp was a rlly high quality hockey camp and i got there and someone in charge said “over three hundred girls tried getting into this camp, but yall did” and there was maybe fifty of us so yea my mom had that going for her
If you’ve ever been to a summer camp yourself—or have picked up your over-the-moon child from one—you know firsthand just how great of an experience a summer camp can be.
But if you belong to the second group, you probably also know just how costly they can be. According to ActivityHero’s 2023 data, parents paid close to $96 dollars a day for a week at day camp, as prices had reportedly increased by more than 12% by said year, which explains quite a few parents’ posts on this list, describing the sacrifices they might have to make in order to afford it.
my parents still do this and i still love it, they treat me and my sister and older cousin like adults
Meanwhile, non-Americans all over the world are scratching their heads wondering what these people are actually talking about. Is "Summer Camp" supposeg to be a good thing or a bad thing? I can't work it out.
In France, we have "centres de vacances", some private, some organized by the towns, generally cheaper. I went to à few as a child, worked in quite à few in my youth. My eldest grandson will be spending two weeks in a town-organized one next summer. They're à good solution for working parents who do not always have grand-parents available, or just to give the kids the opportunity to do something else, with other people. Towns also provide, for a fee, day-only occupations and watch for out of school kids, often in the school's premises, and before and after school care.
Load More Replies...
UK here, what the hell is a summer camp? Is it like in the Addams Family? British people have to either work part-time, book vacation days or palm them off on a grandparent.
In this US most kids get out of school for the year sometime in May or June and go back in Aug or early Sept, about 10 or so weeks. Most parents get 1-2 weeks off work at MOST. So they send their school age children to day camps
Load More Replies...
Summer camps must be a very American thing it seems. As a teenager I volunteered at a holiday camp for kids with disabilities, but like that was because some couldn't go to their usual school camps, and it was only a few days.
Meanwhile, non-Americans all over the world are scratching their heads wondering what these people are actually talking about. Is "Summer Camp" supposeg to be a good thing or a bad thing? I can't work it out.
In France, we have "centres de vacances", some private, some organized by the towns, generally cheaper. I went to à few as a child, worked in quite à few in my youth. My eldest grandson will be spending two weeks in a town-organized one next summer. They're à good solution for working parents who do not always have grand-parents available, or just to give the kids the opportunity to do something else, with other people. Towns also provide, for a fee, day-only occupations and watch for out of school kids, often in the school's premises, and before and after school care.
Load More Replies... UK here, what the hell is a summer camp? Is it like in the Addams Family? British people have to either work part-time, book vacation days or palm them off on a grandparent.
In this US most kids get out of school for the year sometime in May or June and go back in Aug or early Sept, about 10 or so weeks. Most parents get 1-2 weeks off work at MOST. So they send their school age children to day camps
Load More Replies... Summer camps must be a very American thing it seems. As a teenager I volunteered at a holiday camp for kids with disabilities, but like that was because some couldn't go to their usual school camps, and it was only a few days.
