Other than with family, Smallsteps has never stayed away overnight. But tomorrow, she will head to a camp, sleeping in a tent surrounded by trees in the forest - like a horror movie. She is both excited and nervous, but several of her friends are going too, and are also excited and nervous, so it is going to be one of those shared experiences.
I was actually surprised she was so interested.
Since we aren't a family of campers, we had to borrow a few things from our neighbours, who used to camp and their son is still regularly doing so. We have a sleeping bag, but a decent shoulder pack and foam to sleep on are missing. They came through with what we were missing. But it is going to be interesting, as Smallsteps is going to have to carry all her own stuff, and there is a lot on the list.
It is a camp for kids who will be ten this year and there are apparently over a hundred kids going from the area, so it is going to be a pretty big experience for those like Smallsteps who have never camped, nor been in that big group before. And of course the suggestion is that kids leave their phones at home, so they will be "cut off" from the parents, and digital supports. Smallsteps might take hers and leave it in her bag, just in case. I have no fears of her using it too much for as I have said before, she is on it a couple minutes a day as it is.
What I am hoping is that she will enjoy the adventure of it and perhaps go camping occasionally with her godmother, who also goes regularly with her husband. They live not far from us and there are a million camping spots where they could do a night here or there very close by. It doesn't have to be a massive undertaking, just bare essentials, some food, and a bit of a walk.
My side of the family was never outdoorsy growing up, but a couple of my brothers have definitely embraced the great outdoors as adults. I am disappointed in myself that I haven't taken more advantage of it in Finland, where camping is easy, especially in the summer, and there are no dangerous animals to contend with. It is on my "list" of things to organise as a family, but perhaps we will see how the summer goes first, after a week stuck together in a campervan.
If we survive, we can up the challenge next round.
My wife is still working this week and a bit of next before going on her summer vacation, so we can't do much to take advantage of the couple nights alone together. However, we did get a gift card to eat somewhere from my sister-in-law, as a gift for me taking and editing photos at her son's graduation, so perhaps we will use that and have an early dinner. We actually have another gift card from her too to a fancier restaurant (complete with babysitting for Smallsteps) but that we will use for our anniversary.
But, it doesn't really matter what we do, I just hope that Smallsteps enjoys herself and starts building the experiences with her friends she will remember, and the skill and courage she needs to face life. She has become much braver in the last year since changing schools and I think it has to do with the combination of better friendships, as well as being more independent in her own movements around the city. Her confidence is building slowly but surely, and I hope that her skills grow alongside.
I don't want her to be much like me.
Taraz
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