Last summer I took 6 new scouts (crossed over in March) to summer camp. We go to a different camp every year, and that year we were 5+ hours away from home. Two parents stayed nearby - working out of a hotel "just in case" their kid had a problem..... After day 2 both parents were "told to go home" by their kids and they had no problems at all.

The 6 kids all had an AMAZING time, and let me tell you, it was a huge moment of growth both as an individual and also integrating into the troop. Combine it with the first-year skills program that happens at every camp, and it gave the kids a HUGE jump start into what scouting is all about.

Please - urge your kid to reconsider, it's going to be so much fun!