Dutch Sleep Away Summer Camp

After we returned home from the US, it was back to work for me after a long hiatus. Pete kept the kids busy with playdates and outings. And we all prepared to send the kids off to their first sleep-away camp the following week! 

First up, long overdue haircuts! Sorry to everyone in the US who didn't get to see this cute face behind the mop of hair. 

Maeve planted a vegetable garden as a group project in 1st grade. She was looking forward to returning to school with Pete over the summer to check on her crops. This one has a natural green thumb! 

Having had such a positive experience myself as both a camper and camp counselor at a sleepaway camp, it was an experience I wanted for the kids. I hadn't heard much about overnight summer camps in the Netherlands until speaking to a neighbor a year ago who sent her kids to a camp an hour and a half away. Her daughter is one of our babysitters and we found out that she was going to be going to the camp as a counselor. We thought with her there, the kids would feel more comfortable. First overnight camp in a language not their own; it was a lot to ask of the kids. We didn't let any of our own apprehension show and excitement levels were high as we prepped for the camp over the week. 

Christmas in July ;)

The camp is a non-profit that gives kids a camp experience who may not otherwise get the opportunity. Those who can pay help offset the costs for those who cannot. Exposing our kids to socioeconomic diversity is really important to us to counter what they see through their private school experience. After we expressed our interest in attending the camp, a social worker through the program came to our house to meet the kids and give them a glimpse of camp life through a power point presentation. That also helped put us all at ease. There were some 30+ kids at the camp and 15+ volunteer grownups during the week. 

The kids were all bused from Amsterdam Zuidoost on a Saturday afternoon. We awkwardly stood around with the other nervous kids and parents. Maeve was one of the youngest kids there, but I noticed another girl her age and learned that she spoke English. We hugged the kids and they bravely got on the bus. A few minutes later, I looked in and saw Maeve crying. The little girl who spoke English was seated behind her so I told her to sit with her and a minute later, Maeve was happily chatting away with her new friend. We felt a lot better waving them off. 

Brave kiddo. Best big brother. I don't know if I would have sent Maeve off to camp if he wasn't there with her. 

The kids loaded up boats with their belongings and boated over to the camp on the Belterwijde. The forecast for the week was terrible, but they made the most of it. 

They sent a group text each evening with some photos and a description of the day. I anxiously awaited the nightly updates, hoping things were going well. My stomach dropped when we got our first photo with Jude in it on night 2. The descriptions were upbeat so we hoped for the best. 

Shell shocked :(

The kids were able to call us if they wanted to, but we were still surprised to get a call from Maeve on the 4th night (of 6). Worried that she was calling to ask us to come get here, we were very pleased that she just wanted to chat (and chat and chat) all about camp. It was super cute. Jude got on at the end and told us about his experience as well. Both kids were homesick day 1, but were having a good time. Such sweet relief. 

And then the week was over and we were back at the bus stop, excited to see the kiddos and hear about their time at camp!