So there I was, not knowing if Max would do OK at sleepaway camp last week, even though it's one completely geared toward kids with special needs. He's never been away from us; would he get homesick? He always gets up in the middle of the night and comes to our bed; would he freak out if he woke up? Would he get intimidated by all the kids at the activities, given his anti-crowd tendencies? Would they feed him OK? Give him plenty of spaghetti? Go along with his purple requests?
We dropped him off Sunday. Monday, the camp director called to tell us that Max had been dancing the night away at a party. Oh, and then? They sent photos. Max is a perpetual happy camper but I don't think I've ever seen him looking so ecstatic. The only time he got upset was when there were some fireworks on July 4th, although he calmed down once he went inside.
The camp hosts about 60 kids per week, close to 500 every summer. Some campers get their own counselor, some share one, depending on their needs. Kirsten rocked. She's from Scotland and super-nice. She said Max especially loved swimming. I know he enjoyed arts and crafts, because he came home with a bunch of (what else?) purple pictures.
From what I heard, Max slept through the night (of course, he reverted right back to his bed-crashing ways at home).
This is how he looked when we picked him up. His favorite mode of transportation, some of you may recall.
Max decided to give us a tour of the camp before we went home. There was a sing-a-long with counselors and campers, and he busted some moves.
One last time on the slide. And another. And another.
Oh, and one more time with Becca, a cool counselor from England who already knew Max because she happens to read this blog. (Cue "It's a small world after all!")
Yes, I had qualms about sending Max to camp. I appreciated all the encouragement I got here. I was ready to drive to camp and take him home if he couldn't handle it, only it turned out I was the only one who got unnerved. This week was great for Max, both because he had fun and because he flexed his independence. Meanwhile, Dave and I had extra time for Sabrina and some for ourselves, too.
I would do it again next summer and I know for sure Max would, too. I'm also looking into possibilities for integrated day camps.
Meanwhile, anyone got a golf cart we could maybe borrow?
This post totally warms my heart. I wish I could find a special needs camp here in Maryland that was both accessible for my boys and funded in such a way that I wouldn't have to mortgage my house to send them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Max had such an excellent time!
Yay for Max!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to both of you!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Awesome - looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteGo Max! Glad he had a good time!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he had a purpletastic time at camp! This made my day.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I'm so glad everything worked out and he had a great time. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear! Next week perhaps he can go for 2, or even 4 weeks!
ReplyDeleteI may have to email you for the name of that camp when Emmett is old enough! So happy for Max!!!
ReplyDeletefab! so glad he enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI don't mean this at ALL to sound patronizing...but I feel so proud of you, Ellen. I was nervous right along with you - wondering which day you'd cave and go get him. I know for a fact that I couldn't send my children to a camp. Heck - I even kept Gavin from going to school this year!! But that's about ME...and not a judgement on camps or schools. You are paving the way for me and many others...showing us it's okay to let go and let our kids experience life without us. Someday, maybe, I'll be as brave as you.
ReplyDeleteI am beyond thrilled that Max had such a great time and was so well cared for. So thrilled you'd think he was MINE!!!!
xoxo
Welcome Home, Max!!
Bravo! Glad he had such a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteI just KNEW that Max would love camp! For my kids, camp was always the high point of summer. For me, the only downside was all that dirty laundry when they got home!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!!! For Max, for you guys, for Sabrina, for the counselors who got to spend time with Max (can you tell I'm jealous of them!??)
ReplyDeleteThis post is just full of awesomeness! I am so glad you didn't end up having to drive to the camp to prematurely, pick up an unnerved camper. Now an integrated day camp! There you have a fantastic idea. Congrats on a happy camper:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! He really is glowing. I'm so glad it all went well, and that they understood in guided him so nicely.
ReplyDeleteSunday, in NJ, if your kid has Board of Ed funding for Extended School Year, they will sometimes pay the equivalent toward camp if you ask right. Don't know if it would work in MD.
Great news!! I'm so happy to hear that you both had a great week.
ReplyDeleteReading this post left me in smiles. Way to go Max! I'm so glad you had fun at camp, kiddo! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Ellen, I'm glad you survived the week, too ;) (Kudos to you too!)
Hooray! I'm glad camp was a success for all of you! :-)
ReplyDeleteSimply awesome all around! Can you reveal where he went? I'm thinking that next year we need to send Jake and vacation nearby. :)
ReplyDeleteMax woke up this morning and said "NO SCHOOL!" I think he still wants to go back to camp!
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to pass along all the "YAYS!" to Max.
Sunday, Staying Afloat has a good point. We are going to be sending Max to a day camp this summer. He'll be missing a week of school (I am fine with that, because I think there is much educational value to camp). Our school district is paying for that week of camp. We're lucky, because our school coordinator is a very awesome person who makes things happen. You should ask yours.
Kate, thanks for that pat on the back! I was very nervous, but as it turned out, there was no reason to be.
Louise, this is a camp where kids can only go one week at a time... I've heard of other camps that accept kids for longer. It's hard, because Max's school goes year-round. He has two weeks off starting end of June, then two weeks off in August.
If anyone wants info on where the camp is, feel free to email.
he's home safe and sound! and it looks like he had so much fun! and he was fine!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome experience for him! I'll be sending Brayden to camp when he's (OK, I'm) ready! Honestly, when my son was first diagnosed with CP I was all about integration. But as he gets older I just want him to feel accepted and to love his life. If that means sending him to something (camp, school, etc.) that's special needs only, than I'm ok with that. We get plenty of opportunity at church and in public to promote acceptance of people with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! They have one here too in NY but it's only for 1 week. Not sure I can let my boobie leave for that long!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! Love those pics. Max looks like he had a blast!
ReplyDelete