I really didn’t know what to expect from this three-day camping trip with 130+ fifth graders.  I knew that we’d have plenty of chaperones, I knew that we’d be staying in indoor cabins (thank you God!), and I knew that we’d be outside 90% of the day.  Beyond that – it was a crap shoot.

The kids were bursting with excitement coming off the buses and scurried around like a bunch of ants as they searched for their sleeping bags and duffels in one of the largest piles of “stuff” I’ve ever seen.  It was interesting to see how prepared, or unprepared as the case may be, for three days away from home.  It was easy to spot those who have camped before: one small sleeping bag, one backpack, that’s it.  It was painfully obvious to see those who hadn’t: rolling suitcase, quilt or comforter stuffed in a garbage bag with a pillow slung across the top.

The girls in our cabin made quick work of setting up their bunks and making sure the beds were made just right.  They giggled and laughed as they explored the cabin and the deck off the back overlooking the lake.  Without any prodding, they began to pick up brooms (brooms!) that were kept in the cabins corner and started sweeping the floors.  The other chaperones and I joked that this type of spontaneous cleaning would never happen at home.

The trip was filled with hiking through the woods, afternoons by the lake and nights by fire making smores.  Each activity was a science lesson in disguise.  I was amazed at what all I learned myself during the week.

But the one thing that I learned wasn’t taught in the hard wood hammock or at the edge of the lake’s aquatic habitat.  I learned that I’ve done a pretty good job of raising my daughter to be an independent, confident, respectful young girl.  All week long I watched other children – boys and girls – stumble and flail around, lost without their parents, barely able to tend to their own basic needs.  I spoke about it with another mom on the trip and we both wanted to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

Does The Girl get lippy with me from time to time?  Yes.  Does she show a stubborn side of her that can only be attributed to her mother’s upbringing?  Most definitely yes.  But she made me proud this week at camp.  I got to see a side of her that I’m usually not around to witness.  The way she behaved with her friends and with the other chaperones, the way she took care of herself and her belongings, her personal responsibility as a whole – she was the complete package.

Yeah, I nearly broke my arm patting myself on the back.