Sleepaway camp. It's happening right now.

Ian woke-up yesterday with a huge smile on his face and said, "I can't believe today is finally here."

All packed and ready to go. Everything but the kitchen sink is
in that bag.

Yes, the day FINALLY arrived!  It seemed like forever ago that we made the trek to Capital Camps in Waynesboro, PA and took a tour of the place.   And it seemed like it was months ago that I filled out the gazillion forms and sent them in, along with our check. 

It was easy to come up with this idea to let Ian go to sleepaway camp.  Surely, when you are talking about something back in January, the day to actually say good-bye was never going to materialize.  August 13th seemed a ridculous amount of time into the future.  We had so many plans and life to live before that day ever came. 

But. Yesterday. Happened.  Sam got dropped off at her camp at 8:00am.  We needed to be at Ian's drop-off at point to meet the bus at 8:30am.  Perfect timing.  They don't let the parents drive up to the camp to drop off the kids.  And, they don't let them drive back to the camp to pick them up.  I can totally understand why now.  I am pretty sure I wouldn't have left.  I can see myself now saying, "Oh, this twin bunk bed is perfectly big enough for the both of us.  I'll just leave in the morning."  Or, "How about I just stay through dinner and then take-off?"   Ha!  Plus, all the unpacking would've been done by me.  I would make sure everything was perfectly in its place and probably even put his clothes in the order he should wear them, making sure each top matched its intended bottom.  And don't even get me started about making his bed for him. 

I thought it would be relatively easy to say "Bye Ian. Have a great time.  I love you."  I've had a few years experience now doing it every Summer with my family.  But here's the thing that I forgot to remember with that situation -- those people he had been left with for a week or two each Summer were MY FAMILY (or Jeff's).  These are people who were responsible for our upbringing.  I know they are in great hands.  I know they will be fine.  And I know I can call as much as I want; usually 2 to 3 times a day.  And I can skype! 

With Ian at sleepaway camp, it will be a one-way communication.  And I need to be ok with that.  I sent one letter in the mail.  It had to be mailed last week to ensure it got to him while he was still there.  And we can email him each day.  There is a link to a newsletter each morning by 9:30am, letting us know what the campers did the day before.  And there will be pictures posted that we can look for Ian and hopefully see him.

I am so incredibly excited for Ian that he is getting this experience.  I know it will be good for him.  We loved the tour we took.  And this week is a special "Yotair" week.  It means, rookie.  All the campers are rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders who have never done sleepaway camp before.  They are all first-timers.  I really like that.  Ian will be among 119 other kids all in the same boat.  That makes me feel better too.  And knowing he has two friends with him helps greatly.

Ian is a great kid.  He has an amazing head on his shoulders and uses good judgement.  But he is still my baby.  And I want to do whatever I can to protect him.  I like hearing about his day.  I like being excited for him, giving him a high five when something cool happened to him.  And I like being able to give him hugs if something unpleasant happened with a friend.  How can all this wait until the end of the week?  How will he remember every thing he wants to tell me 4 days later? 

This is a pretty big milestone.  Ian is now creating many memories and experiences all on his own, for days at a time.  There can be no interference or guidance from me.  I have to hope that he makes smart choices and remembers to say "please" and "thank you" all by himself. 

I held it together until I saw the bus pull away.  Then it hit me.  Ian was really going.  I looked at my good friend, who dropped off TWO of her kids for this Yotair week, and the tears started to form.  I was a bit of a mess getting in the car, making my way to work for The Crazy Man.  I took a wrong turn and went 8 minutes out of my way.   Then the email came that the bus arrived safely.  Wow, that news caused me to tear up all over again.  He is now officially there.

The bus pulling away.
I'm still stnading there, in the parking lot, waving like a big fool!

Admittedly so, I am a helicopter parent.  And I've been grounded until Friday afternoon.  By the way, before he even left, Ian had already been making plans to be gone all next summer.  I'm starting the collections now for that deposit check and the big box of kleenex I'll need.  Oy!