Most of our blogs are about campers (of course). But now, it’s the parents’ turn.

Day 1
Drop your child off at Centauri. Let’s face it, this person is one of the most precious (perhaps THE most precious) person in your life – so don’t just drop them off. Bring them to camp, and meet the staff. See your child’s bunk. Watch them settle in. Join our entire camp community as we introduce you to the staff with a crazy fun camp song (the counsellors) and one-on-one introductions (our arts professionals). Watch your daughter ease away from you, eager for her camp experience to begin.

Then, go home. Watch a movie. Contemplate the week ahead.

 Day 2
Okay, so you wake up wondering how your child is doing. You call camp, and one of us checks in with the counsellor personally, and calls you back. She has friends. Loves her counsellor. Can’t wait for the Film elective this afternoon. She’s going to play a Goddess in the Greek Banquet.

Tonight, you go out for dinner with friends you rarely get a chance to see. The conversation lasts well into the night, and there’s no need to check your watch for the babysitter.

Day 3
The first blog and photos are up! You read avidly about first camp adventures – and there she is, on her chair in the dining hall, singing, her arms around dorm friends. Smiling.

A friend invites you to share a mini break up North with them. You said no at first, but then you reconsider.

Day 4
She calls you! It’s a short call. More a breathless account of new friendships, the play she’s in, how she’s learning the ukulele, what stargazing is like, who the villain was in the murder mystery and which team she’s on for the festival tomorrow. Then she has to go. Lines to learn. Things to do. You can hear her calling out to friends even as she puts down the phone.

You’re packing, today.

Day 5
By the end of today, you’re cooking burgers outside your luxury cottage as the sun sets on the lake. And only then do you remember you haven’t checked the blog, or the photos, or called the camp. You don’t need to.

Day 6
A spa visit. Theatre tickets. Bliss.

Day 7
Just one day to go! Returning home in the middle of the afternoon, you check the camp website. Smile at the photographs. Read stories about the Hogwarts Festival. And there she is – a guitar in her hand. A guitar?

Final meal out with friends, tonight.

Day 8
It’s the last day of camp already. Filled with anticipation, you make the drive back to Centauri. You can hear them all in the dining hall, singing, as you pull up the car. You watch your daughter on stage – see how confident she is. Beaming. Listen attentively to readers from the creative writing program while she whispers, “I think I might try that next year.” There are hugs, tears of farewell, the campers are crying, the counsellors are crying, and then you’re in the car, on the way home. She leans forward. “Mom,” she says, “Can I take guitar lessons? Can my friend from Texas come to stay?”

You start to reply. But when you glance over your shoulder you see she’s asleep, a satisfied smile on her face.