Hey, Camp Fans!

We received more than 50 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp and I’ve been happily plugging away at publishing each one of them right here on the Blog to share with all our readers!

Today's camp story submission comes from Hilary S., who wrote in tell us about her daughter, Lys, and her second year away at summer camp—Camp Louise.

“Lys loved her first year so much she could hardly wait to go back to overnight camp again this summer. One of my favorite memories is watching her gaze out the window as we drive the winding road up the mountain to camp. The wind blowing her lovely locks of blonde hair in her face, a smile so big and eyes wide with wonder and excitement for all that is yet to come. Oh, to be ten again and carefree living my best camp life...”

Thanks for submitting your camp story into us, Hilary! It’s great to hear that your daughter’s relationship with summer camp is right where you want it to be—hooked! I’m sure that memory of yours—looking over at the wonder in Lys’ eyes while making your way closer and closer to camp—that’s one that will be with you forever. Unfortunately, we can’t return to those carefree, ten-year-old days but seeing the experience through the fresh eyes of your daughter must be the next-best thing. Wishes for many more fun stays at summer camp for your daughter.

For anyone else interested in attending a summer camp stay at Camp Louise, peruse their website for a closer look to see if it might be the right place for you and your camper. Until next time, thanks for reading. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

It’s been great to read all the camper submissions we received this year for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest at Everything Summer Camp. I’m happy to share them with our online community and post each submission right here on the Blog! Besides our ten lucky prize winners, all other entrants received a $20 gift certificate to our online store and get their story published on the Blog, one at a time!

Today’s post is from Cameron B., who wrote in to tell us about the party atmosphere at Laity Lodge Youth Camp. Check out today’s submission right now:

“My favorite part about camp would probably be the rave party. It was so fun and surreal and the flashing lights and loud music definitely made it memorable! I remember how I didn't wear my tennis shoes there and my slides kept sticking to the candy and drinks on the ground and I'd end up barefoot. It was very fun and I know that I will remember it for days to come, and think back on it when I come to camp again in upcoming years.”

Hey, Cameron! Thanks for sending in your submission to our camp story contest. It sounds like that rave party at Laity Lodge was a truly something else! What a night of flashing lights, loud music, and summer fun! I guess the folks at Laity Lodge Youth Camp really know how to show their campers a fun time. I’m glad you have this night that will live on in your memories for many years to come as an unforgettable summer camp memory.

If you think Cameron’s story sounds cool, you can look into Laity Lodge Youth Camp for yourself by checking out their website when you click right here. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks! And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We have more great stories yet to share from the annual Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest from last season! The camp stories we received were so great and they’ve been so much fun to publish each one right here on the Blog for all our readers online! We’re posting each submission right here on the Blog one by one!

We had ten lucky prize winners for our contest this year and since then I’ve been publishing the rest of your submissions. The following post is from Maya K. who wrote in to us about her time at Camp Tel Yehudah. Here it is:

“Camp has always been a big part of my life, this year I went to TY because I’m too old for my junior camp. My favorite memory of TY was the last night of seconded bloc, this was my favorite because our whole TY community was able to come together in one area and have one big sleepover. We watched movies and ate our remaining junk food and had our last night feel really special. Even though I stayed another bloc after that I was still able to look back and think highly of that night.”

Hi, Maya! I’m glad that Camp Tel Yehuda turned out to be a positive place for you to continue your days of summer camp beyond your junior camp. Simply based off your description of the camp-wide sleepover and movie night, it sounds like Tel Yehuda really knows how to show its campers a special, magical, and memorable experience.

For anybody else who may be interested in Camp Tel Yehudah, you can give it a closer look when you visit their website by clicking right here. Thanks for reading, Camp Folks. And, as always, Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Your camp stories for the Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest were all so great! I had such a fun time reading through them all and now I’m excited to be sharing them with all our readers here on the Blog! Since I’ve finished announcing our ten lucky winners who took larger prizes, I’ve moved on to the rest of your submissions and we’re posting each one, one at a time!

The following submission came from Ellison R. who had a great time during her camp stay at Camp Longhorn. Check out her story right now:

“This was the best year at camp yet! It was the first year on a water cabin, a cabin that is floating on the lake. Even though it's hot out, the breeze from the lake keeps you cool at night. I love camp and can't wait to see my friends each year. This year was my sister's 9th and final year as a camper, she and her cabin mates have been together since they were 8! Every year I count the days until camp and can't wait to go back and see all my friends and enjoy all the traditions that our mother also enjoyed!”

Wow, Ellison!! Your sister almost made it a decade of summers at camp! I wonder how many camp seasons you’ve attended, but I’m glad this was the best one to date! The floating cabin sounds very cool; I’m guessing that’s a big part of what made this year stand out as the best one yet. Keep enjoying your summers to come, Ellison. Thanks for your submission.

If anyone else wants to look into Camp Longhorn more, click here to check out their website and have a good look around. Maybe that’s where you’ll be heading next summer. As always, thanks for reading and Happy Camping!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were happy to get the turnout that we did this year for our annual Everything Summer Camp ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest! Your camp stories were great! I had such a fun time reading through them and we’ve been having a blast publishing them here on the Blog to share them with all our readers online! We’re posting each submission with their own individual post right here on the Blog!

The following post is from Chase B. who wrote in to tell us about his summer stay at Camp Wise in Ohio. Check it out:

“My name is Chase and I am 9 years old. This was my first time at overnight camp. I was so homesick the first few days, but my supervisor did so many things to make me feel better. One of the best things was she took me to visit where my mom signed her name at the camp when she was a kid! Then, she let me write my own name next to hers so it was like we were together. I loved learning how to do archery and boating. I can't wait to go back again next year, and this time my little brother is coming with me!”

What a sweet gesture from your supervisor, Chase—taking you to the place where your mom signed her name at camp. That must have made you feel a lot better. I’m glad that you ended up enjoying your stay at summer camp after you got past your homesick feelings. Archery and boating are some pretty cool activities! I’m glad you had a good enough time that you want to return for next year! Camp Wise must be a really special place.

Give Camp Wise a closer look by clicking right here to see all the fun they have in store for their campers in summer seasons to come. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John