Dates to Banquet

A quick word on banquet, "dates," and why we'd love your help keeping this one low-key.

Do campers bring dates to banquet?

We know it happens — someone asks someone, word travels around camp faster than the Daily Dashboard, and suddenly banquet feels like a whole production. We understand it, but we actively discourage it.

Why discourage it?

Camp is supposed to be a place where kids build friendships without the extra social pressure that comes with pairing off. Nobody needs a "will you go with me to banquet" storyline layered on top of an already big, emotional summer. We'd rather banquet be a night where every camper is celebrating with their whole bunk and their friends — not worrying about who asked whom, who said yes, or who got left out.

How can parents help?

This is where we need you. If your camper mentions a "date" to banquet, please don't encourage it — even if it feels harmless or cute from the outside. Kids take their cues from us. A little enthusiasm at home about a camp "date" can turn into real social pressure at camp, and that's exactly what we're trying to avoid.

Let's let camp be what it's meant to be: a place to grow friendships, not a place to practice dating culture a few summers too early.