Summer camps: Makeup? Bikini? No thanks!
Kristy wonders if summer camp is the right place to make kids wear uniforms.
Photo: MrsVega/iStock
I have heard of no electronics at camp (smart phones, portable gaming devices, MP3 players and the like), but no makeup or two-piece bathing suits? That is news to me.
According to an article by the Associated Press: "Of 361 camps surveyed recently by the American Camp Association, about 71% said they have some form of dress code, uniform or restriction on makeup and swimwear. Nearly 22% said such policies are aimed at lessening personal differences to reduce teasing. Others said the idea is to make it easier for campers to focus on having fun."
My daughter, Rory, is going to summer sleep-away camp for the first time in August. This news piece made me check her camp's website for clothing restrictions. While makeup isn't an issue yet (Rory is six), what if she needs a uniform and can't wear her tankini?
Thankfully, I couldn't find a dress code on the website nor did I see any photographic evidence of a uniform.
I would have a hard time if Rory has to wear a uniform and a one-piece. Kids have enough restrictions put on them (for good reason. Remember Lord of the Flies?), and I think they should be able to express themselves through their clothing at least.
Rory has been dressing herself since she was two. As long as it's appropriate (not revealing) and suitable for the weather (no tank tops and shorts in the winter), then I stay quiet no matter what combination she manages to pull together.
I don't think she needs clothing restrictions at camp, either. (I might change my mind in a few years when she's filling her suitcase with tiny tube tops, blue eyeliner and hair straighteners.) To me, she should be busy enough at camp, swimming, hiking, making crafts, reading and meeting new friends that she won't care what she's wearing: uniform or not.
Do you think wearing uniforms benefits girls?
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Abdul (not verified) says ....
Erin (and everyone else), I don't want to open a dsiouisscn Erin would prefer take place elsewhere, but I do want to apologize for not choosing my words as carefully as I should have. jenG was correct we do get a year of government-sponsored paid leave here, 50% of our pre-leave salary up to a certain maximum and my comment really was just a result of me thinking we're very fortunate and wondering what I'd do if I didn't have that luxury or couldn't afford to take the whole year off (the latter being something that happens to many Canadian parents in spite of the generosity of the program). I honestly wasn't speaking directly to your situation (although I could see how I made it appear that way), more just thinking that for parents that do put their kids in daycare at a few months old, it must be very difficult. But as it stands, I'm self-employed, so I'm ineligible for the paid leave anyway, and as I mentioned, I don't have any kids, so I don't really have any real perspective on any of this and probably should have just kept it to myself.
Emanuelli (not verified) says ....
I think Lauren, as a Canadian, has a different pipsrecteve, as well as options not supported by the US government (*cough* FAMILYVALUES? *cough*). My understanding is that Canadian mothers get up to about 52 or 54 weeks combined maternity and parental leave when they give birth to a child. Fathers and adopted parents get parental leave for the care of a new kid up to 37 weeks, if I'm reading it correctly. I don't know for sure if it's paid leave, but I think I heard it is.I'm a bit sensitive to it too, knowing that I will need to rely on daycare at some point, but Lauren may not know how crappy the options are for new parents here in comparison to Canada. She's probably right, on the whole putting a kid in day care at any age can be difficult (and costly!) for parents, but, until something shifts in US policy or our cost of living, that's the most logical choice.Me? I'm lucky. I work for a company that uses short-term disability and a parental leave benefit to give new moms about 12 paid weeks. That this makes me *lucky* is a sign of how screwy our priorities might be in this *family-focused* country /soapbox (sorry, Erin.)
anonymous (not verified) says ....
Dress code is not a uniform - its a guideline, because sadly, too many parents don't make good choices for their children, and / or haven't raised their children to make good choices for themselves. I worked at summer camps in the 90's and by the end of the decade we had girls arriving in itty bitty string bikinis - not only is it inappropriate, it can create problems on numerous levels, besides the obvious over sexualization, try teaching swimming, sailing or kayaking to someone wearing that! . We also saw way too many kids with flip flops - unsafe and inpractical for running and playing, or who didn't arrive with any longsleeved shirts (yes, it can be chilly at night) I agree, let kids express themselves with their own style and clothing, but give them guidelines to ensure they are safe, appropriate and ready for the new experiences. And if you are at daycamps - especially those that travel to a variety of locations, uniforms are the safest way to assist staff in monitoring their tiny charges. Camps sending out those lists to help guide parents, I suggest parents use them - for everyones sake, it can help make it a more successful experience.
Jen VW (not verified) says ....
Wow. I can't believe that a mother of a girl wrote this. I am all for kids expressing themselves (I fought the school when they said my son couldn't wear his batman cape and utility belt). My daughter has also been dressing herself since she was 2. I also firmly believe in a dress code and or uniform for kids. Having a camper wear a camp t-shirt and shorts and appropriate sandals ensures all kids are dressed for the activites at camp. I don't think a 6 year old needs to wear a bikini, 2-piece sure, it makes it easier to go to the bathroom.
yolad (not verified) says ....
Well Said RebeccaLisaB, my thoughts exactly!
RebeccaLisaB says ....
A dress code is not a uniform. Bathing suit restrictions are common and obvious. Camps that request one piece suits are trying to prevent girls showing up in overly revealing bikinis. Children's clothing has become inappropriately sexualized in our culture. Summer camps don't want kids focused on each others bodies. They want them focused on fun and learning new skills and building self confidence and whatever the camp's theme may be (bible camp, sports camp, etc.) Some girls might enjoy wearing a two piece, while others may try one out and end up getting teased (because kids are like that.) Requesting that campers wear a one piece evens the field between "pretty" girls and girls that don't quite fit in. That being said, a one piece dress code likely wouldn't object to a T-shirt worn over a two piece. The goal is modesty, not control.