I have met my goal! You can stop donating now! <\/p>\n
I was able to share the exciting news with The Boy this morning that he is indeed going to camp. And first thing this morning I got in touch with the pack leader and let him know. You should have seen him, my son not the pack leader, all excited and jumping around. You guys made that possible. For that you have my sincerest most heartfelt thanks for your generosity. I am completely overwhelmed by the outpouring. I have the kindest most supportive friends and readers. You guys\u2026 <\/p>\n
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\u2026 So there\u2019s this summer camp my son really wants to go to and I\u2019d like for him to be able to go to as well. I have such fond memories of my own summers at camp; horse back riding, poison ivy, activities on the lake, chiggers, the bad food, the stories by the camp fire, the mosquitoes, getting lost in the woods, the lack of air conditioning and the suffocating heat. Ah\u2026 summer camp. It\u2019s a wonderful misery that every kid should have the joy of experiencing. <\/p>\n
This particular camp is an all boy\u2019s camp too. I went to a co-ed camp and the girls spent all week trying to get the boys to notice them. Annoying. All I wanted to do was ride horses. We did have separate cabins; however, the presence of boys was still a major distraction. <\/p>\n
No, an all boys camp is just want young men need. I\u2019ve spent a great deal of time trying to cultivate these girls free zones in my son\u2019s life because his father has chosen not to be a part of his; altar serving, boy scouts, and little league [which I just found out let\u2019s girls play \u2013 ugh \u2013 another post perhaps]. These girl free zones give him the chance to explore his boyhood and have positive male role models in his life. As a single mom, I am under no disillusion that I can replace the absence of a father. I don\u2019t even try<\/a>. <\/p>\n Anyway, back to this camp thing; this uber expensive all boys camp. There are two I am actually considering, only because the Boy Scout camp is filling up fast and I may need a back up plan. My son\u2019s scout pack is going to Camp Raven Knob<\/a> this summer. They do this every year. Once a boy becomes a Webelo he is officially old enough for the week long sleep away camp. The camp gives them special outdoor training and chances to earn badges they need to cross over from Cub Scout to Boy Scout. I think they earn some high ranking swim badges they need for later on when they are Boy Scouts too. Our pack does several camping trips a year and we\u2019ve missed them all these past two years because camping gear is outrageously expensive. But I would really like the chance to send my son to summer camp. <\/p>\n So here is where I appeal to you, readers. The camp is $350 and he\u2019d need some gear to take with him as well. I only break out my tip jar on rarest of rare occasions, because well, I don\u2019t enjoy blegging, which essentially this is, but I love my son and would do anything for him. Even if that everything means swallowing my pride and asking for donations. <\/p>\n Such is a mother\u2019s love. If you can find it in your charity to donate even a dollar it\u2019s one less dollar I have to worry about coming up with. Every dollar helps. And it\u2019s for a really good cause. At least I think my son is really good cause. You would be helping a young man have boyhood experiences that will aid his development into a manhood. Think of it as a societal investment or do it because you have your own fond camp memories. I won\u2019t say for you to donate simply because you like me because I know for some that might be a stretch. Whatever your reason, I simply ask for your help. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/66\/2013\/03\/BoyScoutsCampingOnFarm-300x261.jpg\" "\\"BoyScoutsCampingOnFarm\\"")
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