What Are They Learning?

A better question might be, what are we teaching them?

My girls' school like many girls' high schools does a weekend trip with the whole school. They leave on Thursday, and are back early Sunday morning, tired but uplifted. The camaraderie, the workshops, speeches, choirs and skits all meld into a beautiful weekend in less then stellar accommodations, an overnight summer camp.

My eldest came home the other day, and told me that her friend is one of the "heads" for the weekend, and she would like my daughter to call an orthodontist, who is a  close family friend (who sends his girls to a different high school),and ask him to donate toothbrushes for this weekend.

My first thought was to tell her that they should ask people who have a connection with the school. But then I really thought about it. And then I got upset.

Two main points:

First, I have an issue with asking people to donate things to schools that are even less then non-essential to the functioning of a school. Let the kids bring their own toothbrushes. This culture of just asking people to give it to you when you can't afford it on your own is sickening. There is no reason that these kids need to be given an amenities bag when they get up to the weekend.

Which brings me to the second point. This weekend is not free, and with three girls in school is on the pricey side . Why do they need MORE? Why isn't almost four days away in a camp with friends and activities, a bonfire, meals, and lots of fun enough? Why do we have to keep upping the ante? Of course kids are spoiled today, we don't give them a chance to just enjoy things! If you say that's today's society, and that's what kids want? Well, who created that, and how will we know what kids will think if we never give them a chance to have a good time without ALL the extras!?!

How is this whole weekend NOT AN EXTRA?