My 4 yr old hates camp

He started at one of those popular LI camps on Monday. He was so excited to get on the bus Monday morning, but that afternoon he got off upset. He didn't have any specific complaints, so I chalked it up to him being exhausted. Tuesday morning it was a battle to get him dressed, I had to force him on the bus. Same thing yesterday, same thing this morning. We ask him every night what the problem is and he just says, "I don't know, I just don't have fun there." He said he just wants to stay home and be with me & his brother and sisters. I explained to him that we don't do much during the day, I set up the sprinkler in the backyard for my 2 yr old DS but that's about it. The twins are only 4 months old so this is a very low key summer. He is signed up for only 4 weeks and tomorrow is no camp so he has 3 weeks left. Do I call the camp and explain the situation and try to get my money back for the next 3 weeks? Make him go? Try just one more week and see if it improves? Summer is just supposed to be so fun and care free when you are a kid, I hate that he is miserable. I did talk to his group leader on Tuesday night and she was very nice and said that she thinks he is just shy and she is working hard to get him involved with the other kids. She said he loves the pool & soccer, but hangs back during other activity periods. I am just so torn. I see so many parents on here saying their kids LOVE camp and I was so hoping my DS would too.

My 4 yr old hates camp

Will FM you.

My 4 yr old hates camp

I definitely would try to get a refund, especially if he doesn't NEED to go to camp, and you are home. A full day, 5 days a week, for a month is a lot for a 4 year old!

Re: My 4 yr old hates camp

I have to be honest, I don't think you will get a refund. Most camp papers that you sign say as much. I would definitely talk to them and see if you can get any money back. If not, I would try for another week. If he's really that unhappy, I would consider pulling him and just take the loss.

My 4 yr old hates camp

last year my son was 4 and the first week was torture!!! he just wanted to stay home with me. he would complain about swimming at camp...he hated everything. i took him to camp instead of the bus the first week...i had a meeting with the director and the counselors. we all worked together to get him to camp. we started with 1 week without his backpack so he wouldnt have to go in the pool. then he started bringing it but packing his bathing suit...then he finally wore it there. i think its the age too. try setting up a meeting with the camp to discuss it with him there.

Re: My 4 yr old hates camp

I would try one more week, and speak with his counselor. He may just be having separation anxiety

Re: My 4 yr old hates camp

I don't think you've given it enough time for him to adjust. Typically, they say it takes 2 weeks for a child to adjust to any new change.

My 4 yr old hates camp

Dont lose all your money. Can you send him part time? Was he going to school prior to camp? If Yes, then maybe just adjusting to change with twins etc.