I just dont know what to do. The Scout group we are part of is planning their Week Long Summer camp. We have had a few meetings, in person, email and on the phone trying to decide what is going to happen.
At first we were going out of State, then that was too expensive, so we were staying local and now its back to out of State. Well, the main prob I have is of course, Money. It will cost me about $300. The troop is paying for the camp itself, but I would need to pay for transportation, gas and misc spending money for my son; like pop and stuff at the Trading Post. So $300 is a good estimate.
At the in-person meeting this week, I got bombarded w/a few people saying they would either sponsor me and or they know groups that help out w/funds like a Grant-type thingy. I gave in to all the pressue at the meeting, but now I am not happy. I hate, I mean relly Hate being a charity case. It eats away at me and makes me insane. I also like to take care of me and my son by myself as much as possible. I could get the money, but it would take away from other things, so I just dont know. But I have decided I am NOT going to be sponsored and no one is going to pay for this but me. errrr.
My son is totally aware of our finances and cant decide if he wants to go anymore either. There are many other issues too; like the X for one. Plus, there are some kids in the troop that really grate on both my kiddos and my nerves ( as in I just want to strangle them ). Plus, the drive would be over 10 hours! I mean really - 12 kids and about 3 leaders in a van, driving, for over 10 hours. and this is with out any electronic gizmos such as GameBoys! I try to put myself in my sons possition and I am like, yuck ! No Way ! !
I need to decide if it is all worth it is all.
sorry this post is so long….just me ramblin’ away….
XO
I have been there and know exactly how you feel. As I said, BSA is about money. I have had the same thing happen to me where they say they can find ways to sponsor your child. But as you say you feel like a charity case.
Why don’t they just make the cost reasonable to begin with?
Mostly its the transportation just getting there. I do believe its a good thing for boys to do, however this year its just a big pain! We might just go camping on our own.
I have to wonder why, with fuel prices the way they are now, the troupe can’t go somewhere closer. Why does everything have to be the most expensive and not necessarily the most fun?
As a former Girl Scout leader, I have to say, if not everyone is comfortable with the decision to go that far, then we would stay more local. Save the bigger trip for a time when the troupe has been able to raise enough money to cover more of the expenses.
Hi Lynne, They are all saying that this Camp is in the top 10 best camps in the nation. I have looked at all the pamplets and read up on it all, and it doesnt seem any better than local ones. Sure they have more stuff like river rafting, but we are not into that. yet.
My mom was a Girl Scout Leader too! We had so much fun. and I think that my son and I will have fun even if we dont go to camp. Thanks for your comments, much appreciated! XO