Matthew, Jocelyn and Maggie have been in camp for the past two weeks in the Rugged Rangers program. Maggie is about the same age as Matthew and Jocelyn and they have also been participating in the Rutgers Reading program together. You know the saying, misery loves company. This week marks the end of their participation in the Rugged Rangers and Rutgers Reading program. May, Eileen (Maggie's mom) and I hope that the kids have gained some skills that they can utilize in school. (One can only hope!)They've spent the past two weeks learning survival skills for the great outdoors such as how to tell which berries are safe to eat, how to make meatballs and how to brew pine needle tea (doesn't sound that appealing). They've learned how to square dance, pitch a tent and climb rock walls. They have learned the necessary survival skills for the great outdoors.
Let's just say- Matthew had different expectations from the program. For one, he was not happy with the culinary choices offered at the camp. I must admit that Matthew is a bit of a foodie and knows good food. Obviously the camp lunches were not up to his expectations. Then again, during the school year, I would send him to school with risotto, pasta with homemeade marinara sauce and other culinary delights. Often his friends would be eyeing his lunch bag and try to make off with the homemade cookies. So naturally, he expected me to pack a homemade lunch to camp on a daily basis. I couldn't do that since we were living in temporary quarters so, it was easier for me to pay for camp lunches. He was NOT HAPPY and would complain that the food was "disgusting." Ok- the other kids didn't have a problem with lunch so, I knew this was not going to be easy. Strike 1.
I should also disclose that Matthew is not the typical kid who loves to get down and dirty with the great outdoors. He complained that the counselors would make him sit on the muddy grounds after a major rain fall, he didn't like the fact that there was "duck and goose poop" all over the grass and vocalized his displeasure for having to wade through algae. As a child, Matthew has always been immaculate. The kids in his class would have food all over their faces and clothes but, not Matthew. He was always wiping his mouth with a napkin, would never wipe his hands on his clothes and most of all, you would never find a pile of food by his seat at the table. If he got a stain on his shirt, he had to change into a new shirt. So that gives you a better idea that he's not quite the outdoorsy type. Strike 2.
Strike 3 was getting trapped into the Rutgers Reading program that was crammed down his throat by me. He would attend class every Tuesday afternoon (for the past four weeks) from 3-5:15 with Maggie and Jocelyn. They would walk into the class and sit together in a row. Very cute but you knew that they were not happy little campers. (Excuse the expression)
Then again, maybe it's the fact that Matthew was also in the Kumon Math program with Jocelyn on Saturdays since we arrived six weeks ago. May and I wanted to ensure the children's brains would not turn to mush over the summer. Matthew and Jocelyn would constantly complain about the "evil" work that has been assigned to them for the summer.
Alas, not to worry. We will be leaving for Disney on Sunday morning to see Sandi and Nicholas. I have decided to make it up to him by getting on the spinning rides with him. Though I have horrific motion sickness, I have stocked up on dramamine. I will bring the reading and math work with us to Disney. I may just surprise him by giving him the "week off" from the school work. See, I'm not so bad after all!
