We all thought Ian didn't want do sleepaway camp again...at least not this coming Summer. While he had a great experience at his Yotair session (3 nights, 4 days for first-timers) at Capital Camps last year, he said going for anything longer than a week was way too long to be away. Despite Ian breaking into funny stories throughout the year of his time at camp, he held his ground on not wanting to go back every time I'd say, "You SURE you don't want to go?!!?!" By January we stopped talking about it. I didn't want Ian to feel persuaded to do something he wasn't ready for. He did ask if he could take this Summer off and maybe go again the following year (Summer 2015).
About 2 weeks ago, the Rabbi at our synagogue came to us with a special opportunity. Camp Ramah had added on a few mini sessions (12 days in length) to the beginning of the Summer. Someone (don't know who) had made a very big donation for a few kids to go at a reduced rate. It would cost us 1/2 the usual amount to send Ian. Sleepaway camp is already a crazy-amount of money. At 1/2 off, it is now only 1/2 crazy. But somehow we could make it happen for Ian, if that is what he wanted. We told the Rabbi how Ian didn't want to be gone for that long, but we would present the opportunity to him (yet again!) and see what his reaction was.
Later that night, Jeff and I sat Ian down and told him what the Rabbi talked to us about. Right away Ian said no, 12 days was too long. If it was a week, it would be ok, but not 12 days. I wrote an email back to the Rabbi and said, thanks but no thanks. Ian is still not interested.
Two days later Ian gets in the car and says his friend asked him if he was going to Camp Ramah. Ian told him, "I might be." WHAT!?!?!?! I stopped driving, turned around and said, "Huh? You might be?" I guess Ian was thinking about it for the past two days and he decided he would go for it. Even if he didn't know anyone else going. WOW!!!
I figured out that Ian was scared. Scared to be gone that long. I told him he can't live his life in fear. He will cut himself off from so many wonderful experiences if he lets fear get the better of him. I told him I will track down a kid or two and get them a play date before camp starts. I also told him he can meet the Rabbi's wife who spends all summer at the Camp. She has offered to be a point of contact for Ian if he needs anything.
As we continued driving home I made a comment that we will now be kicking off our summer by driving to the New England area (where Camp Ramah is located) and dropping Ian off at camp. He quickly replied with, "No mom, I will fly there with the other kids." I was shocked that he was okay with that. The camp sends an adult to accompany the minors, but Ian is going on his own. Drop off happens at BWI. Yowzer!!
Ian is officially registered for camp. From June 24th to July 6th he will get to experience Camp Ramah. Summer has just gotten real!
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