Malia Obama's latest adventure: Summer camp

Malia Obama's latest adventure: Summer camp She's had a front row seat to history for a year and a half, meeting heads of state, touring the Kremlin, flying around the world on Air Force One, being serenaded by Paul McCartney and enjoying command performances from the Jonas Brothers.

But there's one thing Malia Obama hasn't done, until now, her dad says, and it's a rite of passage countless kids have experienced: a summer at camp, bunking with a bunch of other girls in a wooden cabin or tent, sharing chores, swatting away mosquitoes and giggling the night away.

It's a wonderful time — lumpy cots and all — say advocates of the camp experience, who are thrilled with the presidential decision to let Malia partake in a classic American tradition.

But often it's harder for the parents to adjust. So if the Obamas do succumb to what Smith calls "parent-kid sickness" — the parental form of homesickness — they should know that many camps have employees on call to reassure them.

"Camps are used to fielding calls from parents," says Smith. "There's been a huge increase in those calls over the last decade. Parents today are so involved in their kids' lives. Their expectations have grown, especially in the digital age."

And what if the camper's homesick? That's extremely common, though only 7 percent of cases are serious enough to require intervention like calling the parents, according to the camp association.

"Counselors and staff are trained to deal with it," says Smith. "They play icebreaker games, and keep the kids busy and involved. The kids come home feeling more resilient, more independent, more self-confident."

If famous people often send their kids to camp, many have also attended themselves. A list maintained by the ACA of celebrities who've attended camp in their lifetimes (sleepaway or daytime) includes Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Chevy Chase, Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman; Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill; author J.D. Salinger and musicians like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Gwen Stefani.

The only presidential child on the list is Chelsea Clinton, who attended U.S. Space Camp in Hunstville, Ala., when her dad was in office.

 

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- Posted on July 30, 2010
Submitted by 336ryanw on Thursday, 03/15/2012 - 18:22.

Who cares. I mean boy scouts go camping like every month. But when Obams daughter goes it's the biggest thing ever. Plus in boy scouts camp is so much harder than what she did we hike bike ride kayak things that involve more muscle power than what she does. So who cares about it I sure don't.

Submitted by sonia101798 on Thursday, 03/01/2012 - 12:15.

I'm not surprised by this article whats so ever. Ever day i visit this site and go to read articles all I see is Obama this Obama that, or something about his wife or kids. I know hes the president but I mean its annoying. I have nothing against him but seriously? When I read this I was like really, like okay yeah shes the presidents daughter and its a different life for her but she does not need a whole article on how shes going to summer school. Just like the article about there other daughter getting a whole in one. People are going to go to summer school, get whole in ones but no one gets an article about it except for them, just because there high class. I know its hard for her to live her normal life now, but is it going to be any different then at summer camp? Some people there probably have herd of her and there not going to treat her the same, there always going to know she is the presidents daughter.

Submitted by Kalenabn12 on Thursday, 02/23/2012 - 11:19.

I'm glad that even though they're 'First Kids', Malia and her sister still get to enjoy ordinary lives. Their parents don't put them on a pedestal or keep them from having fun. I wonder how the secret service is handling the summer camp decision, though...

Submitted by Crazy12 on Thursday, 02/16/2012 - 14:22.

I think that it is a good thing that they are letting their kids act like normal kids. Even though their parents are the president and first lady.I think she will enjoy summer camp because i know i did! I think that this would do her good to hang out with girls her age for a summer.

Submitted by Timmy0112 on Wednesday, 02/15/2012 - 10:58.

AT LEAST SHE GETS TO GOTO SUMMER CAMP. tHATS GOOD AND IM GLAD SHE DOES. ALOT OF KIDS REALLY DO ENJOY SUMMER AT CAMP SO HAVE FUN OR HOPE YOU HAD FUN.

Submitted by ShelbyV-G on Tuesday, 02/14/2012 - 16:42.

I wish I could live at the White House. That would be awesome. It would be fun to go camping there too. I'm sure president Obamas daughter love staying there too.

Submitted by sarah332 on Monday, 02/13/2012 - 11:20.

I think that sounds fun and I wish I could be there right now and talk to her and maybe I can talk to the president.

Submitted by Kaylene330 on Wednesday, 02/08/2012 - 21:10.

Its fun to go camping and I'm sure Malia likes it to. I think it would be fun to live in the white house. You would have lots of stuff to do. I don't know witch would be more fun. White house or camping!

Submitted by embailey on Monday, 01/30/2012 - 15:10.

Hi Malia I like your hair it long like mine do you have a dog . I do her name is Lana she is a yoke-poo she love to play. bye I got to go .

Submitted by paulyw on Thursday, 04/07/2011 - 15:04.

I think that summer camps are awesome because you can do many activities and hang with friends. I think that this going to be a great experience for her that will become a very special memory for her.