Day Camp Culture Shock

My oldest started his science day camp today, which will last for two weeks. He loved it, of course. Rockets, and science talk -- what's not to love?

There was an incident with a girl, though, who shoved him to the floor for cutting in line. We've talked about standing in lines, and the etiquette thereof. He knows cutting is bad, but he's seven, and very excitable. What struck me funny was his shock at how seriously she took her place in line.

Since he's never been in a school, he has no frame of reference for how a day goes for those kids. I had to explain how kids his age have to line up several times a day for various activities. I asked him how he would like to have to stand in a line against the wall for ten minutes, three to ten times a day. He asked if I meant like Time Outs? No, this is just waiting for your turn. Waiting for the previous class to finish. Waiting.

We ended up deciding that her place in line was pretty much all she had, and that we should feel compassion for her frustration.

I'm glad his overall takeaway was positive, and I know he meant it, because he's not shy about the truth.