There are so many decisions we make as parents.
Small decisions like what to put in that lunch box, what to make for dinner or what extracurricular activities to sign our children up for throughout the year.
Then there are the bigger decisions like figuring out the right thing to say when our kids make a poor choice or end up on the receiving end of one or what schools to send them to and in the summer, what sleepaway camp?
While I certainly don’t have all the answers (we all seem to learn as we go, don’t you think?), I do have a great recommendation for sleepaway camp!
Camp Highlander. And here’s why…
Camp Highlander is a boys and girls sleepaway camp tucked away on a mountain just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. It is a camp full of history, integrity, creativity, adventure and fun. Camp owners, Bryan and Melissa Fitzgerald, and the staff members they bring onboard are warmhearted, trustworthy, genuine and reliable. And… most children have a fabulous time while there and without even realizing it, a handful of life lessons in their pockets by summer’s end.
I attended Camp Highlander as a camper and counselor in the 1990’s and my children are now heading into their second summer as Highlander campers.
As a mom, there is no question I hesitated when deciding whether to send my three kids to sleepaway camp, even as an alum.
Sending your children to sleepaway camp is hard. We worry… first about whether to send them and then when ready, which one?
Here’s what I did to find my answer:
I first watched every video on Camp Highlander’s website to get a feel for Highlander - its people, activities and program as a whole. I made sure Camp Highlander was accredited by the American Camp Association, read through many of the Highlander blog posts and breezed through its social media pages. Then I talked to friends who’ve already sent their kids to sleepaway camp - at Camp Highlander or elsewhere. I compared notes and called Camp Highlander to ask all of the questions still on my mind. And then I sat down and discussed sleepaway camp with my kids.
Just like that first day of preschool, sending children to sleepaway camp is often harder on us as parents than it ever is on our kids. But once you make that sleepaway camp decision, you’ll quickly see the opportunities your children have to experience new activities in the wilderness, in sports and the arts while gaining new friends, a little more pep in their step and a lot more courage and faith in their hearts too.
Camp Highlander has done all of that for my children and that’s why we continue to return to Forge Mountain. Many of my camp friends agree! Here’s their WHY!…
30 years of history, memories and Camp Highlander family make it a simple choice to send my children. The love, trust and security provided by the Camp Highlander staff, owners and mountain are the keys to my wife and I entrusting Camp Highlander with our greatest treasures summer after summer.
-Canaan Himmelbaum
Highlander was my favorite place growing up. The friendships I made and the experiences I had there have impacted my life in countless ways. As an adult, I thanked my parents profusely for giving me the opportunity to attend camp each summer. I never imagined I would have the chance to give the gift of Highlander to my own kids. It has been so fun to share it with them!
-Christie Tatoul Mayer
There is absolutely nothing similar in this world to Camp Highlander. I spent my entire childhood thinking about getting back to the mountain each and every day when I wasn’t there. The traditions remain the same, the mountain remains the same and I also made the easy choice of sending my children to experience a place like no other.
-Steve Bell
Camp Highlander has been an amazing experience for my children. They love the activities and the sense of community.
-Chloe Nephew
I attended Camp Highlander as a camper and counselor in the 1990’s and my children are now heading into their second summer as Highlander campers.
We are excited to introduce our Parent-to-Parent blog series with Paige Kornblue. Paige is a Camp Highlander parent and alum who is passionate about the summer camp experience for children. Paige is an award-winning journalist who is currently a TODAY SHOW Parenting Team Contributor, and we are excited she will be sharing some wisdom and insight from the parent perspective on our blog over the next few months. We hope you enjoy hearing from Paige as she shares stories and connects you to the Highlander experience. To learn more about Paige and her work, please visit www.paigekornblue.com.
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