My son had a bad first day of camp

[emaye_to_2]

I'm so upset right now. My son started a Nature Day Camp today from 9am - 3pm. He just turned 7 and is a smallish high-energy kid. There were 10 kids from age 7-8 in the group. When my husband picked him up he was crying hard and told him that he did not want to go back the next day because "nobody liked him". Apparently there was one kid that didn't like him and he was popular with the other campers. It sounded like the camp counselors tried to be supportive and help him but I'm not so sure. Maybe he was over-tired too. Now I don't know what to do and I am crying because my son was supposed to go to camp and have fun and make new friends not get picked on and come home crying

[Ruthla]

(((Hugs))))

[MAMom]

I'm so sorry that happened If he really doesn't want to go back tomorrow, if it was me, I'd keep him home if you can. Camp can be hard especially if some of the other campers already know each other from being there other weeks, or previous years, or "early" care hours.

[emaye_to_2]

Thanks Mamas. Isn't that the worst feeling, when your child gets upset and you're not there?

He told me no one was being mean to him per se or teasing him or hurt him. It was just that 'nobody likes me'. I think it was an overwhelming first day. He stayed up too late the night before, he did not eat the lunch we packed, they were outside all day. And he didn't immediately click with any of the other kids. He is grudgingly willing to go back for one more day. If he still isn't having any fun we'll bail.

[squimp]

Aww, poor guy. And big hugs to mama. Camps can be so hard - I always think about it if I were in DD's shoes - I'm an introvert and I'd be totally terrified - meeting new people, not knowing what was coming next, etc. It's good that he's willing to try again. Hope tomorrow is more fun for him.

[madskye]

Are you in NJ? DD just started a 9-3 Nature camp this week too. She liked it overall, but last night at bedtime she cried and told me that she has no friends and everyone there thinks she is "yucky" though when I picked her up she was having fun with the other kids.

It's hard to know how much is real and how much is internal drama, all you can do is take it day by day. Also, it is really HOT here right now and I think the heat plus the activities makes her a little overtired and emotional.

[mom2happy]

Being a kid is so darn hard. I would be so upset too.
I hope today is better.

[GuildJenn]

Just in the hopes this will help - that pretty much summarizes my first day of camp.

I went for 9 years and worked there and made lifelong friends.

[mattemma04]

Hope today is a better day for him!