Candy at Summer Camp?

On Wednesday, as I was dropping off my 7 year old at a local science-related summer camp, one of the other moms asked the camp instructor if they would be having candy at camp that day.  I didn't realize that the children were getting treats at their camp, so as we walked back to our cars, I asked the mom if they had candy earlier in the week.  She said that the kids used candy as the planets in a solar system design project, and then got to eat the candy.  And today, for the last day of camp, the campers are going to be using cake in some manner as well.  (My son says that it's going to be the "sun".  He doesn't want to go to his sister's Magic show at 2:45pm because he doesn't want to miss the cake.)

I'm a bit saddened that my children are getting treats at their summer camps.  Yes, it's super fun... and yes, I love treats too, but I prefer to be the one giving them out.  And my expectation is that the camps they attend help them grow physically, mentally, or socially.  My son did a multi-sport camp during the first week of summer and he also was looking forward to the Friday camp that week because they get candy. 

My 9-year old daughter's wizard camp isn't much better.  She said that they might watch a Harry Potter movie this week -- definitely not in the published syllabus for that camp.  I'm *hoping* she was mistaken. I would assume that no camp would show a PG-rated movie without asking parents. 

Now, there are some The Little Gyms that do give out treats on various occasions, and some have TV's in their multi-purpose rooms so siblings can watch TV while their brothers or sisters are in class.   When we became owners of The Little Gym of Lake Oswego 5+ years ago, we thought it was against everything we teach to offer unhealthy treats or have television/movies.  Our goal is to make fitness and being healthy fun!   The only exception we have is that during Pirate week, the Grade School kids find (as natural/organic as possible) fruit snacks during their treasure hunt (Pre/K kids find "gold coins" or other pirate trinkets).

We work our tails off to make classes and camps super fun (Serious Fun), so your children learn new physical skills in every class, make new friends, learn how to work better in a group environment, and learn healthy habits.   Hopefully that's enough to make them (and you) want to come back!