11 Summer Camps Parents Desperately Need to Be Real

by ParentCo. April 15, 2016

Oh, summer, how we love you! Blue skies, long days, and happy kids home from school.

Well, mostly happy kids. Um. Sort of happy kids. OK FINE. Bratty-ass kids complaining that they're SOOO BORED. Summer camps to the rescue! Even with so many good ones to choose from, there's still a handful of summer camps we really wish were real. Like these:

Camp Holy Crap Please Just Learn How to Ride Your Bike Already

Camp activities: Bike riding. Wound dressing. Yelling. Occasional crying. Camp motto: No one calls home.

Camp Rediscover the Joy of All the Things We've Already Given You

Camp activities: Wrapping and unwrapping your own stuff. Camp motto: Surprise!

Camp Practice Something. Anything. Just Pick Something.

Camp activities: Practicing anything. Anything at all. Rock collecting, yo-yo, violin, sewing. Pick any one of the 4000 things you've said you want to be able to do, and F*CKING PRACTICE IT. Camp motto: We sort of believe in you.

Camp Try Harder

Camp activities: Trying harder. Can't carry all the things? Try harder. Can't finish your homework? Try harder. Can't find your shoes? Try harder. Camp motto: Literally no one cares.

Camp Nope

Camp activities: You ask us for things. We say no. Repeat. Camp motto: You can't always get what you want.

Camp The Drums Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, But Turns Out You Sorta Suck

Camp activities: Getting a grip on reality. Camp motto: You're average.

Camp If You Don't Take Care of Your Pets, They'll Die

Camp activities: Take care of your pet, or watch it die. Camp motto: This is how life actually works.

Camp Find Someone Who'll Pay You to Do That Cuz I Won't

Camp activities: Unload someone else's dishwasher, see if they pay you. Fold someone else's laundry, see if they pay you. Mow someone else's lawn, see if they pay you. Camp motto: We're not stupid, kid.

Camp Babysitting as Birth Control (for Tweens + Teens)

Camp activities: Taking care of several babies for 336 non-stop hours. Camp motto: You don't want one.

Camp No Seriously, You're Killing Us With the Play-by-Play

Camp activities: Editing. Camp motto: We love you but we really need you to get to the f*cking point.

Camp You Have to Carry Your Own Damn Stuff

Camp activities: Carrying your own damn stuff. Camp motto: No, you can't put it in my bag.


ParentCo.

Author



Also in Conversations

baby approaching mens black sunglasses
Why "Work Life Balance" Is Too Simplistic for Modern Dads

by ParentCo.

There's been a lot of change for dads in a short period of time. Today they work as many hours as previous generations, but do three times the childcare and twice the housework as dads a generation ago. In this interview, Scott Behson, PhD, author of "The Working Dad's Survival Guide" talks about how working dads can create a more balanced life of family, work, and self, and how employers can help make it happen.

Continue Reading

baby playing
How to Get Things Done While Taking Care of Your Baby

by Charlie Fletcher

With a few practical tips and strategies in place, you can stay on top of your other responsibilities so you don’t feel overwhelmed by too many changes at once.

Continue Reading

mothers with childern
How to Make Friends as a New Parent

by Charlie Fletcher

Being a new parent can feel lonely. Here are some ways to get out there and make new friends - and nurture your existing relationships (even while exhausted).

Continue Reading