My dc will be going to the same camp she has been going to for years this summer. It’s her last time there. It’s for 4 weeks. She’ll also be doing something enriching (dance intensive) for 2 weeks. I was wondering if colleges will think this was a wasted summer. I figure she can pursue more serious endeavors starting next summer.
What “serious endeavors” do you think colleges expect 15 year olds to be doing?
That’s a good question. It seems from what I read here everyone aiming for a good school is doing research, interning, taking pre-college classes, doing serious volunteer work, etc. My feeling is she should enjoy her last year of camp. I was just wondering if she should do something else with part of her summer. I’m hoping the dance intensive is seen as meaningful. I feel silly writing this, because I hate the fact that one has to strategize so much in terms of “packaging oneself”. Trying to find a balance here. @GMTplus7
I think its perfectly fine, I would not start pushing the pre-college admission track on her just yet. Both my kids had to work full time each summer and so did not do internships or research or anything of the like but they did work jobs that taught them many life skills. If $$ wasn’t an issue, I would have allowed D to go to camp for one more summer after freshman year but it wasn’t in the cards for us. If she is at all considering dance in college, I would certainly think the 2-week program followed up by future summer programs would be a good EC for applications.
Sounds like a great summer!
My D17 has been and will go later this summer back to her wonderful artsy sleepaway camp - as a CIT this year and last year, but still. We aren’t worried, it’s part of who she is and gives her so much happiness. I’m pretty sure colleges want happy kids as students, right?
Colleges won’t even know about the camp. The app will include an activity list and your dc will list the ten activities that were most important during HS. Keep the camp off the list and its a non-issue. Interesting activities like research during the next two summers will be helpful.
I did traditional camp going into junior year because i was still young enough. I don’t think it’s a big deal because there are probably so many other worthy things that she’s doing.
I agree with @CHD2013. Very few schools directly ask what you did in the summer. Instead, the Common App lets you list your top 10 (or fewer) activities. So no need to list the camps. My D went to a 2 week debate camp each summer, but didn’t ever list the camps on her app. She just listed her debate accomplishments (which the camps had helped her achieve).
Thanks everyone. I had always thought that on the application you had to write down what you did each summer of HS and how long you did it for. Good to know that’s not the case
To me, you should be doing something productive. Learning dance is productive. Getting a job is productive. So is research but that is really very rare. Some volunteer work might be good to fit in after camp.
Hanging out at the beach or lake with family and friends is also productive. Its called life.
Camp is fine. It’s a chance to live away from home and practice independence, to make new friends, try some activities outside your comfort zone. All are critical social skills. And it’s downtime and a chance to recharge. Don’t swear it.
Kids are entitled to take a deep breath and have a fun summer.
Both of my kids were in camp the summer after their freshman year of HS and it worked out fine.
If they do look down upon it, maybe they’re not worth your daughter’s time!
Seriously, let her have fun. The dance intensive is more than sufficient. I don’t think anybody checks what an applicant does during the summer prior to sophomore year.
As a rising junior, assuming she’s old enough, I strongly recommend the time honored EC of a summer job - perhaps as a camp counselor! 
Or volunteering or internship or whatever suits her fancy.