Camp offers independence and growth

My boys leave for camp this month. They’ll be away for almost three weeks and can’t wait to go. I’m excited for them. The long days spent outdoors, in the woods and lake, with other kids and caring adults but no parents means some freedom for my sons.
Most kids today have their lives quite structured and scrutinized. Few opportunities exist to just go exploring through the neighborhood without a destination. Nobody just rides their bike around anymore. Nobody wanders far from home just to get a little lost and find their way back. Few kids are allowed to climb to the top of a tree in their yard or try something a bit risky under the watchful eye of vigilant parents.
Camp is a chance for independence and freedom for my boys. They can experiment and try new things without having to ask my permission. They can experiment with being on their own and making decisions without my guidance or input before or after the fact.
Sleep-away camp is a leap of faith for parents and children alike. We both have a little separation anxiety when we part but soon enough we are each content and happy. I know that camps today are ready to handle homesickness well and the counselors are trained to manage the inevitable scuffles between kids and tears when parents are missed. I know that even my sixth grader can bring his stuffed animal to sleep with and know that he will be accepted and not teased.
At home, I am a liberal parent when it comes to allowing the kids to explore the world. My oldest has taken the train to Ann Arbor for the day and my youngest routinely rides his bike several miles from home to explore. Even with this freedom, though, camp offers my boys the chance to make new friends and try new things that they just couldn’t do at home. It’s a great thing.
One of the other huge bonuses is that camp is screen-free. No TVs or iTouch. No Wii or computers. No phones either. It is a chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature and their own growing sense of self. They are sure to come back more mature and independent than when they left and I welcome the chance to let them grow.