Sending your child to camp for four weeks—without phones, without daily updates, without the comfort of home—is no small thing. It takes courage. It’s a leap of faith. And for many parents, it can feel daunting, even overwhelming. What if they’re homesick? What if they need me? What if I miss too much?
And still, year after year, families make that leap. Because they believe in something bigger: in the confidence their child will build when they navigate a challenge on their own, in the joy of forming friendships face-to-face, in the clarity that comes from time spent in nature. Camp gives young people room to grow and gives parents the rare opportunity to witness that growth from a distance.
At Cheley, we talk a lot about developing resilience, independence, and self-awareness. But those things aren’t built in the easy moments. They’re built in the stretch—when campers hike a little farther, speak up a little louder, or simply learn to sit in silence under a star-filled sky.
The message below was shared by a Cheley parent, Betsy, after her son Andy—a first-year camper—arrived safely at camp. Her words capture not only how hard it is to let go, but how beautiful it can be, too.
A Letter From a Camp Mom
I got the email—you made it! Just reading those words filled me with relief, pride, and a few more tears (okay, maybe a lot). Last night was my first night without you at home, and I’ll be honest—I tossed and turned. I kept thinking about how strange it felt to not say goodnight, not peek in on you one last time, not get one more hug. Your room was so quiet, and it hit me just how much space your presence fills in this house and in my heart.
There are no phones, no screens, no updates from you—and that’s hard. But also? That’s kind of the magic. You’re out there in the mountains, meeting new people, finding your way, learning how to ask for what you need and figuring out who you are without me next to you. That’s huge. And I’m in awe of you.
Being your mom means growing with you. And right now, you’re growing in ways I can’t even see yet—but I know they’re happening. You’re discovering your courage. You’re learning how to trust your voice. You’re becoming even more of the amazing person you already are.
I miss you like crazy. But I also know: this is what love looks like too. Letting go a little, so you can soar.
I love you always, Mom
We know how much trust it takes to send your child into the mountains—to a place without daily contact, where the comforts of home are replaced by trail dust, new faces, and moments of challenge. At Cheley, that trust is sacred. It shapes everything we do, from how we hire and train our staff to how we care for each camper as if they were our own.
Betsy’s message is a reminder that love can look like stepping back just enough for your child to grow forward. If you’re in that in-between space right now—missing your camper and wondering what their days hold—you’re not alone. And if her words resonated with you, we’d love to hear your story too. Whether it’s your first summer or your fifth, your experience matters here.
This community is built on shared trust, shared growth, and shared hope. Thank you for being part of it!
