Have you ever been to Boot Camp?
By someonesmom
@someonesmom (5761)
Canada
May 8, 2008 2:26am CST
Last weekend my daughter embarked on a four day school excursion. They called it Leadership Camp. To me, it sounded somewhat like a military training venture for teens. To top it off, it rained most of the time they were there, and it was freezing. There was no heat in the cabins or other buildings.
For their orientation activity, they had to wear a totally disposable set of clothing, including shoes. They dipped their faces in ketchup, mustard, and relish, and then had flour thrown at them. Next, they had to dive into a waist deep, water filled mud pit. Finally they rolled on the ground, until they were laying side by side. Camp leaders came around, and squirted chocolate and pancake syrups in their hair, and on their clothing. This I believe was the end of the exercise. My daughter loved this, by the way.
They were allowed to wash off in the freezing cold lake, and could shampoo their hair in a trough. They didn't shower all weekend, and had little more than an outhouse for their bathroom. There was no sink to wash their hands in. Some informed students, took hand sanitizer, which they shared. Also, they began each morning with a hard core exercise routine, and a jog around the camp.
These are just a few of the highlights.
Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Do you know someone who has?
Would you enjoy this, or would you be longing for the trip to end, so you could head back to civilization?
4 people like this
8 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
8 May 08
No I certainly would not enjoy it at all
It does sound more like an Exercise for a Military Detachment
Goodness when I get up I like to sit in Peace and have a coffee and then get in the Shower I could never do anything like that lol
Well done to your Daughter though for going to it and enjoying it
Hugs
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
8 May 08
Hi gabs, 
I felt the same way, as far as the military part goes, when I heard about it. My daughter really enjoys the outdoors, and loves this type of thing. They kept them hopping for the four days, with little time to rest. She hated to come home, because of the friendships etc., but was exhausted just the same.
Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you're doing well, and big hugs to you too.
I felt the same way, as far as the military part goes, when I heard about it. My daughter really enjoys the outdoors, and loves this type of thing. They kept them hopping for the four days, with little time to rest. She hated to come home, because of the friendships etc., but was exhausted just the same.
Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you're doing well, and big hugs to you too.2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
8 May 08
I'm very glad to hear this, and to see you here. I do miss you, as I know others do too.
2 people like this
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
8 May 08
I would have been back home in a heartbeat.. I have enough of this going on at home in real life, I don't need to go to a camp for that kind of torture.. I do hope that she had fun, but one would have to be young to enjoy this..
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
8 May 08
Hi DonnaLawson,
She had a wonderful time, making new friends, etc., etc. In fact, she really hated to come back home. I'm curious as to what you mean about 'having this type of thing going on at home.' Thanks for sharing.
She had a wonderful time, making new friends, etc., etc. In fact, she really hated to come back home. I'm curious as to what you mean about 'having this type of thing going on at home.' Thanks for sharing.1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 May 08
I see what you mean. Not being a kid, I wouldn't enjoy something like this either. Too messy, and I'm quite used to my creature comforts, couldn't take the activities physically, etc. etc. I'd enjoy the chocolate and the syrup too, but just not in the way they used it. 
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 May 08
I didn't either, although I did go to camps such as this, when I was younger. However, we didn't do anything like their opening activity. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 May 08
I am glad she enjoyed it but I know that I would not enjoy anything like that that is for sure. I just hope if it was freezing they do not get sick. There is training and then there is stupidity.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 May 08
I'm glad also, but this type of thing would 'never' be for me. The thing is, a committee of students with faculty advisors, do all of the planning. I guess the teachers involved, didn't have any problem with 'this orientation.' Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
8 May 08
Wow when I was reading this it sounded like some form of awful punishment or torture but I guess if I were your daughters age again I would be very happy to go on this type of camp! I used to love exercising and swimming in the sea - I am sure the lake though cold would have been wonderful. Here the kids go on a camp for 5 days when they are about 10 with school but they have dorms inside and plenty to do - they do team activities and sports and it is wonderful for them all - my son even learned to change a duvet cover when he was there as they have to do all those things for themselves! xxx
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
8 May 08
Hi mummymo,
Sounds like torture to me too, and I don't even think I'd enjoy anything this extreme, when I was younger. My daughter told me she 'managed' to brush her teeth, but some didn't. You're the first to say, you'd actually like this, if you were a teen. Very brave of you. 
The camp that your kids go to, sounds like a wonderful place. Good for your son! Thanks so much for sharing. Take care.
Sounds like torture to me too, and I don't even think I'd enjoy anything this extreme, when I was younger. My daughter told me she 'managed' to brush her teeth, but some didn't. You're the first to say, you'd actually like this, if you were a teen. Very brave of you. The camp that your kids go to, sounds like a wonderful place. Good for your son! Thanks so much for sharing. Take care.1 person likes this
@omgawhale (17)
• United States
9 May 08
I have not experienced anything like this and I don't know anybody. It would be alright to me. Running around in the mud and getting dirty would be fun, but the coldness would kill it.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 May 08
Yes, I guess to some it does sound like fun. I'm glad she had such a great time. Just not the type of activities I'd enjoy anymore, and I'd find the cold hard to take too. Thanks for your response, and welcome to myLot.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
8 May 08
Before I had run away from home for good I was placed into a "home" for boys. This was in the mid to late 60's. It was for troubled children that were disobedient and unruly I reckon. This was exactly like a boot camp. Up at 6 a.m. each day and lights off at 9 p.m. Had a regimine of exercise etc each day as well. I ran away from there a few times getting punishemnet each time not being allowed to participate in games, asrt and crafyts and no visitors as well. I ended up getting kicked out because I was considered a medical nusiance due to many injuries costing them money for Drs etc.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
8 May 08
Hi Grandpa Bob,
Wow, I'm sorry you had to experience this for real. That must've been so hard. You're such a strong person, and have overcome so many obstacles, and I truly admire you for this. Thanks so much for sharing this here. Take care.
I'm glad your friend was able to lead a happy life, after what she experienced, Oreo.
Wow, I'm sorry you had to experience this for real. That must've been so hard. You're such a strong person, and have overcome so many obstacles, and I truly admire you for this. Thanks so much for sharing this here. Take care.
I'm glad your friend was able to lead a happy life, after what she experienced, Oreo.1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
10 May 08
This reminds me partially of my days of being a camp counselor it brings to mind a time when my little girls and I do mean little...None over the age of between eight and ten or maybe they were younger...Sooo Many years ago now...but anyway, they had to carry me from one end of the field to the other in the fastest time to win...Well, they were all very small and so could not lift me! LOL It rained a lot that summer and had just recently so the jeans I was wearing were very green by the time they were done dragging me across the field!
Aside from that I do not recall going through anything as your daughter had and I do not think I would have enjoyed the fact that there was no hot water to shower properly for four days etc. As a teen I think that would have bothered me and today I would simply not go in the first place! I can be such a party pooper now!LOL
I am glad that she had such a good time and I must say it was fun being dragged across the field by six little girls as I was eighteen! It was very funny and I had to contain myself from laughing at the time....I just wish I had a video of that moment today! It would be something to see! I do know though that I was concerned as to not getting the grass stains out of my jeans....Teens and fashion was so important back then also!
I am so glad that your daughter had such a great time and that she did not get more sick from going!
HUGS
~Heavens~
Aside from that I do not recall going through anything as your daughter had and I do not think I would have enjoyed the fact that there was no hot water to shower properly for four days etc. As a teen I think that would have bothered me and today I would simply not go in the first place! I can be such a party pooper now!LOL
I am glad that she had such a good time and I must say it was fun being dragged across the field by six little girls as I was eighteen! It was very funny and I had to contain myself from laughing at the time....I just wish I had a video of that moment today! It would be something to see! I do know though that I was concerned as to not getting the grass stains out of my jeans....Teens and fashion was so important back then also!
I am so glad that your daughter had such a great time and that she did not get more sick from going!
HUGS
~Heavens~1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
12 May 08
Hi heavenschild,
That sounds like a really fun time you had back then. I wish you did have some photos to share too. I have some fond memories of being a camp counselor as well, but no photos. My daughter's always taking pictures, so most of her adventures are captured this way. She just had such a wonderful time, and all of this didn't bother her, in the least. I'm thankful too, that she didn't come home with a worse cold. Thanks so much for stopping by here, and take care. xxx
That sounds like a really fun time you had back then. I wish you did have some photos to share too. I have some fond memories of being a camp counselor as well, but no photos. My daughter's always taking pictures, so most of her adventures are captured this way. She just had such a wonderful time, and all of this didn't bother her, in the least. I'm thankful too, that she didn't come home with a worse cold. Thanks so much for stopping by here, and take care. xxx