Summer Break: Is It for Family or Friends? 

Rosa says: Every summer, my family and I go to Puerto Rico to visit my grandparents. That same month, my friends all go to Camp Twin Oaks—and I’ve never been able to go. This year, my parents said I could choose. What should I do: camp or vacation? I can’t decide!

Rosa says: Every summer, my family and I visit my grandparents in Puerto Rico. That same month, my friends all go to Camp Twin Oaks—and I never get to go. This year, my parents said I could choose. What should I do: camp or vacation? I can’t decide! 

Rosa says: Every summer, my family and I go to Puerto Rico to visit my grandparents. That same month, my friends all go to Camp Twin Oaks—and I’ve never been able to go. This year, my parents said I could choose. What should I do: camp or vacation? 

Lane says: Come to camp with us.  

    We missed you so much at Twin Oaks last year—especially at the talent show. It was hard showing off our dance team routines without our best dancer! But I wanted you there for all of it: the campfires, the ropes course, staying up late talking.

    I know you always feel left out when we get back. There are so many funny stories and inside jokes that come from camp, after all! But camp isn’t just about hanging out with friends. It’s about pushing yourself too. You can try new activities and meet new people. I always come home feeling more confident and independent.

    This is a hard decision. I’m sure that deep down, your parents want you to go to Puerto Rico. But you’ve gone there every summer you’ve been alive! Wanting to try new things is normal. I know your family will understand. I hope I see you at camp!

Lane says: Come to camp with us.  

    We missed you at Twin Oaks last year—especially at the talent show. Our dance team routines weren’t the same without you! But I wanted you there for all of it: the campfires, the ropes course, staying up late talking.

    I know you always feel left out when we get back. There are a lot of inside jokes that come from camp, after all! We have fun there. But that’s not all. Camp is about pushing yourself too. You can try new things. You can meet new people. I always come home feeling more grown up.

    This is a hard decision. I’m sure your parents want you to go to Puerto Rico. But you’ve gone there every summer of your life! It’s good to try new things. I hope I see you at camp!

Lane says: Come to camp with us.  

    We missed you so much at Twin Oaks last year, especially during the talent show. It was hard showing off our dance team routines without our best dancer! But really, every experience—the campfires, the ropes course, staying up late talking—would’ve been better with you there.

    I know you always feel left out when we get back because so many of our funniest stories and best inside jokes come from camp. But camp is about more than just hanging out with friends. It’s also about challenging yourself to try new activities and meet new people. I always come home feeling more confident and independent.

    With your parents probably hoping you’ll go to Puerto Rico and your friends definitely rooting for Twin Oaks, this will be a tough decision to make. Just remember that you’ve visited your grandparents every summer you’ve been alive, and wanting to try new things is normal. I know your family will understand if you skip the vacation this year. I hope I see you at camp!

Mark says: Go to Puerto Rico with your family. 

    Maybe it’s because I don’t go to Twin Oaks either, but this seems like an easy decision. Go to Puerto Rico! It probably doesn’t seem that cool to you, since you’ve been going your whole life. But you’re so lucky to get to visit such a beautiful place every summer.

    I get that you want to spend time with Lane and everyone else. But you see them all the time. You only get to see your grandparents once a year. I never really got to know my grandparents, so your time with yours seems special to me. Plus, don’t you have a ton of cousins there too? You’ll still get to hang out with other kids.

    I bet that once you’re older, you’ll miss summers in Puerto Rico. So go be with your family. There will still be time to hang out once everyone is back. Let’s plan a trip to Six Flags with all of our friends in August!

Mark says: Go to Puerto Rico with your family. 

    I don’t go to Twin Oaks, so I don’t know what you’re missing. But this seems like an easy decision. Go to Puerto Rico! It might not seem that cool to you, since you’re used to it. But you’re lucky to get to visit such a beautiful place every year.

    I get that you want to spend time with Lane and everyone else. But you see them all the time. You only see your grandparents once a year. I never really got to know my grandparents, and I wish I had. Plus, don’t you have cousins there too? You’ll still get to hang out with other kids.

    When you’re older, you might miss summers in Puerto Rico. So go see your family. There will still be time for friends when you get back. Let’s plan a big trip to Six Flags in August!

Mark says: Go to Puerto Rico with your family. 

    Maybe it’s because I don’t go to Twin Oaks either, but this seems like an easy decision. Go to Puerto Rico! It probably doesn’t seem that cool to you, since you’ve been going your whole life—but you’re incredibly lucky to get to visit such a beautiful place every summer.

    You spend time with Lane and your other friends constantly, and you have only this one opportunity every year to see your grandparents. I never really got to know my grandparents, so your time with yours seems especially valuable to me. And anyway, you have a lot of cousins in Puerto Rico, right? You’ll still get to hang out with other kids.

    When you’re older, there’s a good chance you’ll regret missing even one summer in Puerto Rico. So go be with your family. There will still be time to hang out once everyone is back. Let’s plan a trip to Six Flags with all of our friends in August!