Camp

Oldest Boy is at diabetes camp this week. We began attending family camp the summer of 2003, shortly after he was diagnosed with type 1. He was five-years-old and camp helped us all realize there's life after diagnosis—just make sure you have a glucometer, syringes, insulin and glucose tabs at all times. [Now it's infusion sites, reservoirs and IV prep pads for his insulin pump.] We returned to family camp the next three summers. Oldest Boy "graduated" from family camp the summer before he began third grade. He was officially old enough to attend future camps without his parents. He was eight.

Oldest Boy is eleven now and this is the first year he chose to attend the six-day, five-night camp. He went to a winter camp for diabetics when he was ten and didn't have the greatest experience. Some of the counselors were a little rough around the edges, used foul language and discussed inappropriate topics in front of the young campers. Oldest Boy said he asked them to stop, but it left a bad taste in his mouth. I'm proud of him.

After discussions with the camp director resulted in promises of better counselor training, and a commitment from a school friend to join him, Oldest Boy was ready to give summer camp a try. He's older now, equipped with a little more self confidence, and understands if goofy, teenage counselors choose to act stupid. He can tell someone and choose to walk away and do his own thing. Ironically, it's not Oldest Boy's diabetes care and management that he, his father, and I have had concerns about regarding the decision to go to camp. It's exposure to older kids who don't realize that you can't unring a bell in the mind of a child.

I left Oldest Boy at camp on Sunday. He allowed me to help him carry his things to his cabin before we checked-in with the doctor, dietitian, and other people with clipboards. His friend had arrived at camp before we did which was a huge relief to Oldest Boy.

I was conflicted as I left. I knew he was in good hands and that experiences like this are important for him, but I worried about the insulin reaction he'd had the night prior [He came to our room sweaty and shaking in the middle of the night. His blood sugar was 35]. I worried he'd get homesick. I worried the counselor with the stretched earlobes [gauging, I think it's called] and the five o'clock shadow would have porn under his mattress, as I simultaneously realized the clean-shaven, collared-shirt wearing counselor was just as likely to have porn...and blow.

I quit torturing myself, received my farewell hug and kiss from Oldest Boy and watched as he and his friend walked away, happy to simply be boys...at camp.

Snippets of Oldest Boy from Chris Ross on Vimeo.

Comments

[Corbie]

I happened to overhear at a soccer practice which friend was with oldest boy at camp and I think those two are both so mature and responsible, they'll be running that camp by next year. Hats off to Mom and Dad for letting him go...he'll be fine but I know it can be scary.

[Lucy]

Your children are absolutely adorable. And I want that blonde hair. Well, I have it. It's just not ... you know..natural.

[vodkamom]

that was touching.

I hope he has a great time!!!

[Chris]

Corbie - Ha! You're right about Oldest Boy and his companion. I know he'll be fine, but... you know how I am. ;-)

Oldest Boy was actually bathing in Mom's kitchen sink, which was very clean. And yes, Chris punted beautifully. It was my bad so I had to "fix" it. He fields other questions amazingly well.

Lucy - Thank you! I have that blonde... you know... not natural... hair. ;-)

Vodka - I'm sure he's having a blast. I prepped the poor kid like he was going on a Space Shuttle mission. I have issues.

[Jane]

This video was so cute...isn't it amazing how fast they grow?

I sent my daughter to 2 week horse camp two summers in a row. The first days of the first one, I got teary letters. After that, she was too busy to write....and all these years later, she still remembers camp fondly.

[Amber Olson]

Chris, I know what you mean about the "rough around the edges" counselors. They arn't always the most mature people but hey, I lived through it and I always had a blast at camp. They will keep a good eye on his blood sugar too. That was never a problem at camp. I am glad that Parke has decided to try it out. Plus, he will get to practice his dancing skills at the camp dance!

[Mrs. D]

You sound just like me... I am always convinced that the worst people are influencing my son or in charge or whatever. My imagination runs away with me and I begin picturing situations that are 99% unlikely happening (I watch WAAAYY too much news). In fact, this paranoia is the reason we switched schools! I guess we just can't protect our kids enough, huh? I bet he has a blast, can't wait to hear about it. Is it far from home?

[Lady Fi]

That video was so darling... just imagine that once he was so small you could bath him in the sink - and now he's going off to camp! The time flies by in a blink of an eye...

[mary]

You will let us know how he got on won't you?

And hoping that your husband is recovering well..

[Chris]

Jane - Thanks for the encouraging story. I'm sure Parke will have a similar experience. :-)

Amber - I'm so glad you commented! What IS it about the motley crew counselors? Jeesh. If you survived it as a camper... I suppose Parke will too. Thanks!

Mrs. D. - He's about 90-minutes from our home. And, it's our job to parent and protect our kids. I'm with ya, sister!

Lady Fi - I know... it's killing me.

Mary - I will. You're so kind. Chris feels better every day. :-)

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

He's going to have a great time. Nice to know they can handle emergencies of the diabetic kind. Sometimes the scruffy counselor turns out the be the really admirable one.

Love,

Claire

[Joanna Jenkins]

Diabetes Camp???? Who knew there was even such a thing? Very cool. I hope he has a fabulous time!

[pam]

I loved your video! Oldest was absolutely PRECIOUS!!! Especially the giggle. And I loved the background music at bath time! haha! Glad Chris is doing better. :)

[the mama bird diaries]

He'll have a great time. But it is hard to let go. Sigh...

[Judy]

How are you holding up?? Can't wait to hear all about it.

[tysdaddy]

Body fluids?! You are evil!

And I have many pictures of me in the sink as a wee lad. Not for the squeamish . . .

[christy]

I loved that video. I want to learn how to do a montage like that!

I hope he's having a great week at camp and you're holding up okay!

[Sam]

Your video was a great collection of memories! it makes me remember the leadership role that the oldest child takes for the rest of the siblings in the family. thank you for sharing.

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

Porn and blow under the counselor's mattress? I'd have thought the same thing. You're such a dear.

Laura is DYING to go to sleep-away camp. She said, "I'm ready, it's you and Dad who are having trouble."

I. Can't. Do. It.

Yet.

Gah.

Good for you. You inspire me, and I'm sure Laura would appreciate it if I told her, which I won't.

[Jannie Funster]

Laughed out loud at the dance. Ya'll were getting down.

Your posts are so beautiful, Chris. Such a sweet video vignette.

And as to... "exposure to older kids who don't realize that you can't unring a bell in the mind of a child," our little angel last year due to the exposure of older kids at school, learned the terms boobs, nuts, doodle, wienie, fart (we'd only ever said "toot,") and sofa king. The last one you kind of have to say out loud to get what the kinds mean. And she was SIX! Not good.

Oh well, you do what you can for as long as you can.

[Kate Coveny Hood]

That video is great. I need to learn how to do that. And I need to pull out the camera - it's been a while...

[tinsenpup]

OMG, it just happens so quickly, doesn't it? Remind me not to blink for the next decade or two.

[Robert I. Knapp]

Chrisy:Uncle Pete sent me the url for your blog.You are a very talented writer. You show show a great deal of senistivity. I just wanted you to know how pleased we were to read your blog. Thnk you so much for for the memoriaol.We cried.

Great Uncle Bob andgreat aunt Bette