Well, I discovered the answer to the question of whether or not soap and shampoo is provided at camp: it is not. The answer to the question of whether or not a child would willingly spend money on toiletries at the camp store when they have a choice between something that would make them clean or, say, a disposable camera or a cunning little frisbee that folds into a tiny pouch is a decided "no."
When we picked up the boys, there was actually bits of dirt and goo crusted on their faces. The fronts of their shirts were well beyond what any industrial-strength detergent could possibly get out. The boys were not unproud of the fact that they had not seen the inside of a shower for three days (at which time, they simply rinsed off -- no soap or shampoo, remember?). Ethan had brushed his teeth once and Colin only twice. They were able to tell me, with some certainty, that it takes three days for face paint (as painted on them for Capture the Flag) to wear off your face if you don't wash it.
I sometimes will give them a sniff and pretend to be horrified at the funk, but this particular time, I didn't have to pretend at all. These were truly filthy children.
After their baths, which they were subjected to immediately upon arriving home (to avoid dirtying up the rest of the house), they left a crusty layer of sand and grime at the bottom of the tub.
They have come home with silly camp songs, stories of their camp counselors ("Bigfoot's favorite color is PINK!!! No, it really is! PINK!!!!"). (The counselors, by the way, all have made-up names, like Bam Bam, Bakes (the boys' counselor), Jingles, Seatbelt, Incoming and the like. It's like some teenage witness protection program designed to protect their true identities). They slept one night on the beach. They did Campfire on many evenings (singing songs). They participated in a Talent Show (somehow drinking two glasses of water constituted some measure of talent). They were thrilled to discover chocolate pudding in the salad bar one day at lunch, at which they were allowed as many helpings as they desired. This was lunch one day, followed by dessert.
Did they have fun? Oh, my yes! Here's some photographic evidence, as posted on the Camp Collins site.
One of the pix shows Colin holding up a tooth that came out while he was at camp, which he subsequently lost. Luckily, the photo that I printed off the website seemed to be enough evidence to satisfy the tooth fairy, who left him a nice silver dollar that night.
