Hey, Camp Fans!

Still thinking about summer camp? You’re in luck! So are we and we’re keeping the camp spirit alive all year by sharing the fantastic stories from our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest right here on the Everything Summer Camp Blog. Each entry brings its own special piece of camp magic and it’s been great sharing them with the whole community!

Today, we’re excited to spotlight a fun entry from Amy C. M., who sent in her memorable experiences from Camp Westminster in Michigan. Dive into her adventure and relive the camp fun with us!
“I went to camp for about 7 summers for a week or more each time. It was a highlight in my summer! My favorite part was being with friends 24/7 for a week. My favorite activity was horseback riding. I also loved worshipping God.

My camp was rustic: no a/c, we had to go to the bathhouse to use the bathroom, no screens, simple cabins with cement floors. Georgia summers are hot and humid. I loved the simplicity and the connection to nature.”


What an awesome camp experience! It’s amazing that you got to spend seven summers at camp—what a special tradition! Being with friends 24/7 and connecting with nature, especially through horseback riding, sounds like the perfect way to spend your summers. And worshipping together in that rustic, no-frills setting must have made everything feel even more meaningful. Thank you for sharing your story with us, and we hope you keep making unforgettable memories at camp for many years to come!

For everyone else, you can look into Camp Westminster for yourself by clicking here if you’re interested in a Georgia getaway like Amy has had. Check back in with us for the next camp story we share and, as always, thanks for reading!


- John

Hey, Camp Friends!

The stories keep coming from this past summer and the Everything Summer Camp annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! We’re thrilled to spotlight each entry on our Blog, celebrating the unique experiences of campers everywhere. Today, we’re sharing a short entry from EG C., who wrote in to tell us about her first year going to summer camp. Here’s her submission:


“I had a great time at camp! It was my first time. At first I was really nervous, but after the first night I was fine. My counselors and Village Directors were soooo nice. I loved my cabin too! I loved the activities and free time. I had a blast at camp! I can’t wait to go next year!”


Thank you so much for sharing your camp story with us, EG! It's awesome to hear that, even though you were nervous at first, you ended up having such a great time. It sounds like your counselors and Village Directors really helped make your first camp experience super special, and we're soooo glad you enjoyed your cabin and all the fun activities. We're thrilled to hear you're already looking forward to next year—you’re definitely a true camper now!

Thanks again for sharing, and we can’t wait to hear all about your next adventure! If anyone else would like to look into Camp Crestridge for Girls, click right here to have a look around their website. There’s more camp stories to come yet, so keep coming back. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans! Till next time.


- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Happy to receive all the great entries we did for our yearly ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest we put on here at Everything Summer Camp, we’re now eager to share each one right here on the Blog! After ten lucky winners of larger prizes, all other submissions got a $20 gift certificate to our online shop! Today we have a submission from Glory K., who wrote in to tell us about her experience at Camp Tamarack.
“My camp experience was permanently etched in my head. I was into theatre and had a major part in the play ‘Guys and Dolls.’ I also learned to get over my fear of swimming and passed all of the tests with flying colors. In addition, I made some lifelong friendships.”


What an unforgettable camp experience! It sounds like your time in theater was a huge highlight—landing a major role in “Guys and Dolls” is such a fantastic achievement! And overcoming your fear of swimming is no small feat; passing all those tests with flying colors must have felt incredible. It’s amazing how camp can help us grow in so many ways, from conquering fears to creating lifelong friendships.

Thank you for sharing these special memories with us! We’re so glad you had such a transformative and fun-filled time at camp. As always, thanks for reading, Everybody. Till next time.


- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were glad to receive such great responses to our annual ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest we put on here at Everything Summer Camp! And we’ve been publishing each entry right here on the Blog since we received all our entries! After ten lucky winners of the bigger prizes, all other submissions got a $20 gift certificate to our online store! Today’s post is from Jess K., who wrote in to tell us about her summer stay at Surprise Lake Camp.


“Camp was wonderful until my brother decided to run off and hide behind a tree. He was always getting into trouble so I couldn’t enjoy all the activities which I wanted to partake in. I am happy to say that he grew up and is now the Principal of an Elementary School. Overnight camp was definitely an incredible experience though. I learned how to swim!”


Jess, it sounds like your camp experience was quite the adventure with your brother keeping you on your toes! Little brothers can be like that (should know. I AM one). It's amazing to hear how he grew up to become a Principal! And how great that camp gave you the chance to learn to swim. Thank you for sharing your camp memories with us!

If anyone else would like to look into Camp Jones Gulch for their own summer stay, click right here to have a look around their website. There’s more camp stories to come yet, so keep coming back. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans! Till next time.


- John

Happy Halloween!

Let's dive into the magical world of Halloween and discover how it all began with the amazing adventures of Saint Patrick! WAIT!! Saint Patrick?!?!  What’s he got to do with Halloween?! Well, it’s an interesting story. Let me tell you about a time long, long ago—before Halloween was even a thing…

Back then, people celebrated a special festival called Samhain. People would light bonfires and wear spooky costumes to scare away ghosts. Sounds a bit like Halloween, right?

Now, let's fast forward to Saint Patrick's time. He was a brave and adventurous guy who went on amazing journeys. But did you know he was also the one who helped turn Samhain into Halloween?

How did he do that?

Well, he was captured by Irish pirates when he was just a teenager and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years, he escaped and went back to his family. But instead of staying home, he decided to go back to Ireland to spread the word of Christianity.

 

With his trusty staff in hand, Saint Patrick traveled all over Ireland, telling stories and making new friends. He even baptized thousands of people and built churches. He was a true evangelical, spreading love and joy wherever he went!

So how did this celebration turn into Halloween? It was the Christian movement in Ireland (thanks to good ol’ St. Patrick) that delivered the Samhain traditions to the converted Irish Christians. It was in the 8th century that Pope Gregory III announced November 1st as a day to honor all saints.

 

He called it All Saints Day. Hallow, being another word for holy or saintly was commonly used in those times. Over the years, instead of calling it ‘All Hallow’s Eve’ (also known as All Saint’s Eve) people started calling it ‘Halloween’. And to this day, it still incorporates some of the traditions of Samhain.

So, the next time you dress up in a spooky costume or carve a pumpkin, remember the incredible journey of Saint Patrick and how he helped make Halloween so awesome. Happy Halloween, everyone! Have a spook-tacular time trick-or-treating and enjoying a good scare! Till next time.

 

- John