For all the holiday traditions we have as a family – going to see Christmas lights, taking in a symphony Christmas concert, singing in the season at our church – one that’s rapidly becoming a favorite for us is holiday camp at Camp Harrison.
Spend-the-night camp might not be the first thing that comes to mind this time of year, but once your kids experience it, you understand. Escaping to the mountains of N.C. (in beautiful Boomer, near Wilkesboro) for two nights in early December, is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.
For the second year in a row, I dropped my oldest son Wade at Camp Harrison just as the sun set on a beautiful December Friday night, Christmas lights strung along the front of the cabins, Christmas music playing over loud speakers, and kids in their Christmas PJs and tacky best, catching up with old friends, ready to make some new ones, and excited to spend some time on a new adventure. This time I dropped off my son Johnny too! (The second time drop-off was that much easier this time around, knowing more about all the fun they had in store.)
Campers get to bake and decorate Christmas cookies, sing Christmas carols around a camp fire, and make Christmas crafts. This year they added the “Wacky Olympics” to the fun. They spent Saturday morning doing hula-hoop races, imaginary sword fights (with pool noodles) wacky walking, and balancing a golf ball on a Badminton racket, with campers of all ages.
They also got free time to play games at Camp Harrison’s indoor-outdoor pavilion. They had a tacky sweater contest. And they got to drink hot chocolate and watch “The Grinch” movie together.
As for what the weekend does for parents? The perks might be even better than what the kids get. It allows you rare kid-free time during a crazy season of the year! You can get some Santa Claus-ing done, finish up work that just adds to the stress of the season, spend some 1-on-1 time with your spouse, or actually enjoy some alone time – or all of the above! It is also a great way to introduce your child to camp life, with just a two-night stay. Really, it’s just 48 hours away from the time you drop them off at dinner time Friday night to when you pick them up after breakfast Sunday morning. And there’s aren’t as many kids there – this year there were just just five cabins used for winter camp, and only seven kids in our boys’ cabin – so it’s a little less intimidating for them.
This holiday camp was the first time our 6-year-old son Johnny stayed to spend the night at camp without me. (All three of my boys have been to Mom and Me camp twice and fell in love with Camp Harrison.) Both Johnny and his twin brother Wes were supposed to both go with Wade to holiday camp this time, but Wes was sick at the last minute and couldn’t go. While I was initially bummed (alllllllmost kid free for the weekend for the first time in eight months!), it was still a break having just one child at home and it was nice to have a chance to focus on a winter camp being a “first” just for Johnny.
He got to ease into the overnight experience by being in the same cabin with his older brother Wade. And I think he was actually a good influence on him! Wade took a shower this year (ha ha) – they’re given the option during a short, winter time stay – and I think Johnny showed Wade a thing or two about keeping a neat suitcase and laundry bag!
This time a year ago, in all my excitement and nervousness about dropping Wade for the first time at winter camp, I let him leave his winter coat in the car. This year I’m proud to say both boys remembered to take their winter coats with them. It wouldn’t be us, though, if we still didn’t manage to leave a coat behind at camp (ahem) but at least they were warm over the weekend! It’s progress.
And this year Mama made some progress too. Rather than burning rubber to get back up to Camp Harrison Sunday morning, I was OK letting Daddy pick the boys up while I took advantage of some more time with Wes. And I still got the sweet joy of welcoming my campers home in the early afternoon.
Johnny’s first impression?
“It was really fun,” he said. “I want to go back for summer camp.”
That was the best part of all.
YMCA Camp Harrison
Where campers build character, develop confidence and grow in their faith.
Camp Dates: June 9 – August 10, 2024
Ages 6-16
800-514-1417
7901 South NC 18
Boomer, NC 28606
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