Article July 11, 2011 Issue

Signing up for summer camp

By Valerie Minard

My son, Chris, had a great time at camp. He had made some good friends, loved his counselors, and had fun horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and going on overnight trips. And he liked the food! So I went ahead and signed him up early for the next summer. 

Imagine my surprise when, after I’d already put a deposit down to reserve his spot, he balked at going to camp again. It was a complete turnaround from his previous attitude. I reminded him about all the fun he’d had, but nothing seemed to convince him. So I put my foot down and said, “Well, you’re going anyway.” Needless to say, our conversation didn’t go very far. 

I had been a camper at this camp for Christian Scientists for several years, as well as a counselor. It was foundational in anchoring me in Christian Science as a way of life. And I so wanted him to have the same experience.