By Elle Belle
Dream: Mommy tells me I get to go to camp. In my Curious George book camping means setting up a tent, building a fire, and having a lot of outdoors activity and hard work. Am I tough enough for this? Yes. But does it sound like as much fun as Mommy tells me it will be? No. Unless George is there to help!
Reality: Mommy tells me I get to go to camp soon. Lots of my friends are going to camp and really seem to love it. They told me camp is different from the camping in my Curious George book. They go to one of their favorite gym or class spaces and get to do all sorts of fun stuff with lots of friends and no Mommy or nanny or other grown-ups telling them what to do. There are just big friends called counselors who lead all the fun and games. It sounds like it would be chaotic but my besties say it’s really fun and you know me, I like to keep it interesting.
Before I know it, it’s time for my first day of camp. Mommy packed my fantastic backpack with everything I need. Really. I mean everything. It is so heavy I can barely stand and carry it. We packed extra clothes, bows, swimsuits, towels, water shoes, pull-ups, wipes, and more. Mommy says we packed everything on the handy checklist but I think she overdid it. I know Mommy too well. After she helps me carry some of my “essential” extras, we are off and running.
When I arrive at camp, there is a theme for the week and everything is decorated for the theme. I am such a happy camper. Mommy takes all sorts of cute pics of me holding a sign noting my first day of camp. I flash my best smile and say: “happy camper!” We find my cubby, meet my counselors, and I start diving right into the dress up corner. Mommy prods me for a hug and kiss bye-bye and I say: “of course!” I give Mommy a giant hug and kiss and tell her to go so I can play now. She obliges and leaves but I can still see her peeking in from the window. Silly Mommy.
This is great. We play all day with our counselors leading the fun. And it is actually quite organized. We are very busy with fun activities from cooking and science to gym and rooftop play. And during free time I can do whatever I want. This first time without Mommy is a breeze. We keep playing and having more fun but something goes off in my head and suddenly I need Mommy. I look all around but cannot find her. She is not in the window anymore or anywhere to be found. I start crying. And I don’t stop crying for the five minutes until pick up time.
Everyone sings a cheesy goodbye song together and then the doors open and all the grown-ups come back to pick us up. My Mommy comes in to greet me with a warm smile and I get extra hysterical just for her. I tell her I am crying for her and she tells me Mommy loves you and always comes back (It’s just like the book the counselors showed us). And she was right. We give giant hugs and kisses. Mommy and I have a love fest and as I collect myself we head home. As soon as we get home, I tell Mommy I want to go back to camp.
Guess what? I am so lucky that I get to go to camp for a lot more days. Mommy always sends me off with love and always comes back to get me. I can do whatever I want (within camp guidelines) and selectively tell Mommy about my day on the way home. For instance, one day in art I got careless and discovered how it feels to pour paint on your head. Another day I got to have two helpings of snack instead of one since what I cooked was super yummy. And I could go on the slide even when it was really wet and icky and no one stopped me. Hehe. Our secret! Well I know the counselors tell her some of my secrets but Mommy would always believe her darling daughter. Right?
Camp is super for so many reasons but for me I got to do my own thing and do it all by myself! This happy camper loves my own time but also loves that Mommy always comes back! That makes me an extra happy camper!
Elle Belle is an adorable toddler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy and dapper dad. She enjoys cruising around NYC in her stroller while making everyone smile wherever she goes. She can be reached LilElleBelle@gmail.com and found on tugsonmyheartstrings.blogspot.com.
