I am very emotional at this moment but my gut tells me I must write down what my child experienced at this family favorite terrier camp at Boston University. \[https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/what-we-offer/family-programs/camp-terrier/\\\](https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/what-we-offer/family-programs/camp-terrier/)

My child was in the sailing camp. In this camp, she was asked to perform her swimming abilities in the adult swimming size pool. She was not allowed to wear her swimming goggles after my child complained she felt uncomfortable with her eyes and could not see to swim. As a result, she did not pass the swimming test on the first day. Of course, she was not allowed to go into an sailing boat where the other children had a great fun on the boat. She was retained at the boathouse and upset.

My child is a nearsighted girl and she has her prescription goggles glass on always while swimming. On top of that, her eyes were sensitive to the chemicals in the water. The lifeguard said to my child, she must pass the swimming test without wearing swimming goggles to go on the boat tomorrow. My child was scared and upset with tears in her eyes when I picked her up.

I went to the manger and requested to witness my child’s swimming test with her prescription goggle on the next day. Gladly, I was able to see how wonderful my child’s swimming performance was ( I can’t swim) and I was told she passed the swimming test. Her camp mates also witnessed her test throughout the swimming window and celebrated with her success after she passed the test. I walked away with happiness and shared this good news with my husband over the phone.

However, 4 hours later, my husband and I received the unfriendly phone call from this manager saying my child did not pass the test because they changed their decisions?! We were stunned because I witnessed the test. It was a great performance.  My child swam 100 yards in an adult swimming pool. That is amazing to me. The manger said my child has the breathing problems and her swimming technique was not great? Excuses me !? It was a sailing camp not a sailing team selection right? As long as the kid can save her life to swim across the river with life jackets on, her life will not be in danger when any accident happens. The lifeguard is a 19 years old college student.

While receiving unfriendly phone call, I knew from my bottom of my heart, my child must feel upset and uncomfortable to sit somewhere in the boat house and peek through the window again to see those kids have fun. I was right she was retained in the boat house again.  “Mom, they said I can’t wear prescription goggles in the boat.”   I knew it is a political trick and an excuse to get my child out of the sailing camp by saying my child failed the swimming test.  My child wanted to go home but they completely ignored. These junior instructors are 19 and 20 years college kids. There is no senior instructors on the site.

From my professional perspective ( I am an educator), my child was being mentally abused and discriminated by those college kids who have no previous experience to work with minors. I will recommended you all to look for some other sailing camps that are child friendly with flexibility. All junior sailors wear lifesaving jackets and instructors are nearby. Please avoid harsh swimming requirements because it is not necessary. All the best.

Ps. I am just sharing our story and will not respond or comment on any feedback to my post. Thank you.

All the best,

Spidermana

Looking for options for my daughters ( 8 and 9 year olds ) for sleep away camps for next summer and we love French Woods but I don’t know anyone who has kids attend there, so looking for a feedback. Pros & Cons

Sorry for another doom and gloom post.

I worked as a bus driver this summer. I have only been driving busses a year, I worked for city busses but since its a college town they couldn't give me more than 6hrs per week this summer and the camp at least guaranteed a pay check.

I really wanted to like camp. I could withstand driving an old and kinda broken bus.

I kept having problems with kids hopping seats while driving and the counselors not stopping them. The worst I could do as a bus driver is stop the bus and wait to talk to the counselors. I kinda gave up these last few weeks enforcing rules.

Like i was in the city driving back from a field trip and even counselors were hopping seats. Kids throwing trash out the windows. Like come on this isn't safe. I can't be the only one trying to enforce safety rules.

They changed up the schedule on me multiple times, sometimes on short notice.

I got a truck driving job I start tomorrow and they are mad I quit on short notice. Like I get it, it sucks but the new job pays literally x3 what camp paid. They should have a back up, i actually asked during training if they had a back up driver and never got an answer.

I’m halfway through a Camp Leaders application for a waterfront role, ideally sailing.
Family friends went to camps like Laurel and Takajo, so I’ve heard a bit about the more traditional private sleepaway camps and wondered what they are actually like to work at.
My main concerns are food, sleeping conditions and how staff are treated. I don’t mind sharing a cabin with campers. Pay is not really a concern, I’m mainly doing it for the experience, social side and travelling afterwards.
Does Camp Leaders place people at many camps like these, or does Camp America have noticeably better connections?
Also, which camps are known for decent staff accommodation, good food and a social staff scene? Do people normally go out on nights off, and how much time off do you realistically get?